She replaces Peter Lampl, who set up the school improvement charity more than a decade ago, will continue to support the organisation as emeritus chair.
Gilbert, who was chief inspector at Ofsted for five years until 2011, has been an EEF trustee since January this year and takes over as chair early 2024.
She is also chair of schools partnership Camden Learning, joint chair of the Area-based Education Partnership Association and visiting professor at UCL Institute of Education.
“I’ve seen first-hand the power that great teaching can have on improving outcomes for all young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Gilbert.
“The EEF plays such an important role in this by supporting schools, early years settings, and colleges to make best use of evidence.
“Over the past decade, the EEF has become a much-respected part of the English education landscape. I’ve got to know their work in great depth during my time as trustee.”
Lampl said: “I am delighted that Dame Christine will be succeeding me when my term comes to an end next year. I look forward to continuing my association with the EEF through my emeritus chair role.
“I’m extremely proud to have guided the EEF to become such an amazing organisation since I led the successful bid for £125m of government funding to set up the foundation in 2011. The EEF has set new standards for educational research and provided an invaluable resource for a wide range of teachers, school leaders and policy makers.”
EEF launched in 2011 with a £125m grant from the Department for Education. Last year then-Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi confirmed the DfE will continue funding the charity when its current endowment ends in 2026.
