The OfS Director of Regulation and Assurance holds the keys to the kingdom – entry to (and exit from) the English HE sector. Retaining many responsibilities from her role at HEFCE Registrar (a key confidant of Madeleine Atkins in matters quality and regulation), her imprint can be seen in the increasing divergence of the English system from the rest of the UK. This has raised some protest in Wales and Scotland.
Contentious negotiations led by the formidable Lapworth meant what should have been an issue explored behind closed doors exploded into the press during the development of the UK quality code. But standing up for the new English regulator is squarely in her job description – Jo Johnson’s dreams of a data-driven regulated market become reality through her. On that metric, she’s one of the most important people in the sector right now – and she’s not about to let anyone forget it.