Susan Lapworth to leave the Office for Students

Susan Lapworth will depart the Office for Students (OfS) at Easter 2026 after nearly four years at the helm of the organisation, the English regulator has announced.

The chief executive, who was appointed to the role permanently in September 2022 after serving as director of regulation, said she was “hugely proud” of everything the OfS had achieved since its inception in 2018. 

In a letter to education minister Bridget Phillipson, Lapworth wrote: “During my time as chief executive, we have embedded a rigorous approach to monitoring financial sustainability, spotting and intervening with institutions at significant risk. 

“We have acted where students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are exposed to weak outcomes, poor academic experiences, or sexual misconduct. 

“And we have robustly defended academic freedom and freedom of speech – the essential foundational values of all higher education.”

Lapworth’s term coincided with widespread decline in the financial health of universities – an area the OfS has increasingly focused on, including by pausing its register in August 2024 to divert resources to address the funding challenges. 

Her leadership also spanned the 2024 general election, which saw the Conservative government – accused of being widely critical of universities towards the end of its time in office – defeated for the first time in 14 years. 

Under the current Labour government, the OfS looks set to be tasked with more responsibilities. Most recently, the government announced plans to legislate to give the regulator more powers to take action against low-quality institutions. 

Phillipson said Lapworth’s leadership “has ensured that the OfS is now well placed to meet the challenges ahead and help the sector achieve the government’s vision”.

But Lapworth’s reign has also seen the regulator criticised for being “too close to government” and of increasing the regulatory burden on institutions. 

In 2024, an independent review of the regulator was published, which found that the OfS could be “adversarial” in its relations with the sector. 

Prior to her roles at the OfS, Lapworth held a number of senior posts at its predecessor organisation, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, including as director of regulation and assurance.

Her departure follows the exit of John Blake, OfS director of fair access and participation, who announced last month that he was leaving.

OfS chair Edward Peck described Lapworth as “dedicated”.

“Her role in developing the OfS from its inception, through to taking on the role of chief executive has been pivotal in creating a regulator that can oversee a complex and broad ranging remit. 

“She has been adaptable to changes in the sector, designing an organisation that can respond to the changing needs of students to maintain a higher education sector that is the envy of the world.” 

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com