Governance & Structure

NFER has grown steadily over recent years and is now comprised of over 200 staff, including over 100 research staff and 50 specialist research operations staff. Our teams are mainly based in our head office in Slough but we also have an office in York.

As a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, NFER is governed by a Board of Trustees. They are responsible for agreeing the aims and direction of the Foundation, with the day-to-day management delegated to the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team. The Trustees approve the annual budget and provide strategic guidance on the role and mission of NFER. They also have critical roles advising on a number of important NFER working groups to provide additional insight and perspective.

Our Trustees bring together a wealth of expertise and experience from across and outside education, in both the public and private sectors.

Lorna Cocking MBE

Lorna Cocking MBE

Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Neil Hollister

Neil Hollister

Honorary Treasurer

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Fiona Capstick

Fiona Capstick

Trustee

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Professor Michael Day

Professor Michael Day

Trustee

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Susan Douglas CBE

Susan Douglas CBE

Trustee

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Nick Hillman

Nick Hillman

Trustee

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Paul James

Paul James

Trustee

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Melvyn Keen

Melvyn Keen

Trustee

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Karen Kroger

Karen Kroger

Trustee

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Sam Macdonald

Sam Macdonald

Trustee

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David Madoc-Jones

David Madoc-Jones

Trustee

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Conor Ryan

Conor Ryan

Trustee

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Donya Rose

Donya Rose

Trustee

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NFER is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team. The Chief Executive reports to the Board of Trustees.

Carole Willis

Carole Willis

Chief Executive

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Lesley Duff

Lesley Duff

Director of Research

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Phil Spall

Phil Spall

Interim Chief Financial Officer

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Alan Read

Alan Read

Chief Digital Officer

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Maddie Wheeler

Maddie Wheeler

Director of Communications

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Greg Woodcock

Greg Woodcock

Director of Operations

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NFER has a multidisciplinary staff that includes over 200 qualified researchers, statisticians, psychometricians, economists, assessment experts and information professionals; data collection and survey management experts; communications and marketing professionals and experienced HR, IT and Finance support teams. Our experts and specialists balance their professional skills with a deep knowledge about and commitment to education, along with independence to help deliver balanced insights.

NFER Departments:

  • Chief Executive’s Office
  • Research Department
    • Centre for Assessment
    • Centre for Policy and Practice: Programmes
    • Centre for Policy and Practice: Development
    • Centre for Research Planning and Knowledge Management
    • Centre for International Education
    • Centre for Statistics
  • Education Trials Unit
  • Research and Product Operations
  • Sales, Marketing and Impact
  • Commercial Services
  • HR
  • IT

 Download NFER's organisational structure

Our Trustees bring together a wealth of expertise and experience from across and outside education, in both the public and private sectors.

NFER is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team. The Chief Executive reports to the Board of Trustees.

NFER has a multidisciplinary staff that includes over 200 qualified researchers, statisticians, psychometricians, economists, assessment experts and information professionals; data collection and survey management experts; communications and marketing professionals and experienced HR, IT and Finance support teams. Our experts and specialists balance their professional skills with a deep knowledge about and commitment to education, along with independence to help deliver balanced insights.

NFER Departments:

  • Chief Executive’s Office
  • Research Department
    • Centre for Assessment
    • Centre for Policy and Practice: Programmes
    • Centre for Policy and Practice: Development
    • Centre for Research Planning and Knowledge Management
    • Centre for International Education
    • Centre for Statistics
  • Education Trials Unit
  • Research and Product Operations
  • Sales, Marketing and Impact
  • Commercial Services
  • HR
  • IT

 Download NFER's organisational structure