Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced today that Dame Rachel de Souza is his preferred candidate to succeed Anne Longfield when she steps down on 28 February.
Before De Souza’s appointment is confirmed she will need to attend a pre-appointment hearing before the education select committee at a future date. Williamson will consider the committee’s recommendations before deciding whether to finalise the appointment.
If confirmed, De Souza will take up the post on 1 March, for a six-year term.
De Souza is currently the chief executive of the Inspiration Trust – a multi-academy trust of 14 academies based in Norfolk and north Suffolk, which aims to turnaround poorly performing schools.
She was appointed a Dame in the New Year’s Honours in 2014 for her services to education.
De Souza trained as a teacher at Kings College London after achieving a degree in philosophy and theology from the University of London. She taught in Oxfordshire and Luton before being appointed principal of Ormiston Victory Academy in Norwich.
Williamson also announced the appointment of Annie Hudson as the new chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, a group of independent experts that review serious child safeguarding incidents, when children have died or suffered serious harm, or where abuse or neglect is suspected.
Hudson – previously a director of children’s services in Lambeth and Bristol, and the former chief executive of The College of Social Work - will take over from interim chair Karen Manners on 24 December.
Williamson said: “It is more important than ever before to have experienced and dedicated colleagues working with us in a shared ambition to protect and defend the most vulnerable children.
“Annie Hudson’s impressive and proven leadership in children’s services makes her best placed to drive the important work of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.
"I look forward to finalising the appointment of Dame Rachel de Souza as the next children’s commissioner, where she will bring her considerable experience of raising outcomes for every child to this essential role.
“I am grateful to Anne Longfield and Karen Manners for their service, acting as champions for the children in this country who need the most support.”
On her appointment Hudson said: “I feel immensely privileged and excited. I want to do all that I can to make sure that the Panel’s work has a very clear and positive impact on safeguarding practice and, most crucially, on the lives of children, young people, and their families.”
