Education and Skills Funding Agency has new CEO appointed

Eileen Milner has been appointed the new Chief Executive of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

She will replace Peter Lauener, who has been in post since April, Milner will take over at the end of November.

The ESFA is an executive agency of the DfE that is accountable for funding education and training for children, young people and adults.

Eileen began her career in education and according to the Department for Education (DfE), she is a proven leader who brings extensive skills and experience gained from working in a range of roles across government as well as the public and private sector.

This includes experience at a senior level at the Care Quality Commission, where she is currently the executive director of customer and corporate services, as well as Northgate Information Solutions - a software and services business with a large presence in public services in the U.K.

DfE permanent secretary Jonathan Slater commented: “I’m delighted that Eileen will be joining us to lead the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and look forward to working closely with her. I know that colleagues will join me in welcoming Eileen to the department.”

The chief executive of the ESFA is a member of the DfE Board and attends the Performance, Management and Audit and Risk Committees.

They are responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of the ESFA.

The chief executive is also accounting officer for the ESFA’s budget and is accountable to the DfE’s principal accounting officer, and to Parliament for the stewardship of these funds.