Appointment details

Chair of Student Loans Company Board

Summary

• Organisation: Student Loans Company Ltd
• Sponsor department: Department for Education
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Finance and Audit
• Skills: Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Business, Change Management, Technology / Digital, Transformation, Consumer Advocacy, Education
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 8 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £59,000 per annum
• Length of term: Three year term of appointment. There is a possibility of reappointment for a further three year term, subject to performance.
• Application deadline: 11am on 13 October 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   11 September 2025

2. Application deadline

   11am on 13 October 2025

3. Sifting date

   7 November 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   4 December 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Additional introductions

Location

The SLC Chair will be able to work remotely, attending a minimum of eight SLC Board meetings per year. Meetings are generally held in Glasgow and on occasion in London, Llandudno Junction, and Darlington. The Chair will be expected to travel to these locations as necessary.

Selection Process

Interviews will be held on 3rd and 4th December in London.

The current SLC Chair will be hosting webinars to share his experiences in the role and provide an opportunity for questions. There are two webinar dates available – please note that the content will be the same in both sessions, so you should only sign up for one.

Please complete the form corresponding to the date you would like to attend:

Registration form to the Chair webinar session 2 October 2025, 12:00-1:00pm: Register here

Registration form to the Chair webinar session 7 October 2025, 6:00-7:00pm Register here

Appointment description

The Sponsor Department (DfE), acting on behalf of the government shareholders, has the responsibility for the selection process to identify appointable candidates for the appointment of the non-executive Chair of the SLC. Appointment decisions are made by Ministers.

The Responsible Minister in DfE (currently the Minister for Skills) writes to the SLC’s Chair annually on behalf of all four Shareholders setting out their strategic priorities for the year. This document will form the basis for the Chair’s own objectives.

The Chair leads the Board in the delivery of its responsibilities to ensure a stable annual cycle of loans, grants and tuition fees, and to deliver the effective implementation of the SLC’s portfolio of change work, including changes to the student finance system agreed with Shareholders. This includes servicing the rapidly growing loan book, informing students and sponsors about student finance, facilitating student finance applications, assessing applications, and paying grants and loans, with a focus on delivering these functions as efficiently as possible. Further digital transformation is essential to deliver these efficiencies and will be integral to the digital platform to deliver the Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE) which will transform the post-18 student finance sytem in England. Together, these will support Government aims to improve access to education and respond to sector needs.

The Chair ensures that the Board receives and evaluates regular and timely information on the SLC’s performance against its aims, objectives, performance targets and plans, ensuring appropriate action is in hand to address any areas of underperformance and manage risks appropriately.

Leadership of the SLC Board also includes: leading the SLC and Board strategy; ensuring the balance of skills of the Board members is appropriate; ensuring high standards of corporate governance at all times; performance management of individual SLC Non-Executive Directors; supporting the Chief Executive to cascade Shareholder priorities through the SLC; objective setting and performance management for the CEO; and regular meetings with the Responsible Minister to review SLC performance.

The Chair of the SLC Board has the usual fiduciary duties associated with a director of a UK Company and is also answerable to Ministers. This relationship is one of the primary formal communication channels between SLC and its sponsor department. Further information on the Chair’s responsibilities can be found in the SLC Framework Document

Organisation description

The Student Loans Company (SLC) is a non-profit making government-owned organisation which was incorporated as a private limited company in 1989, and began operating in 1990. It administers loans and grants to students in colleges and universities in the UK and is entirely government-funded, which means that it also operates within the public sector arrangements for Arm’s Length Bodies.

Playing a central role in supporting the higher education (HE) and further education (FE) sectors, the SLC makes timely and accurate payments of maintenance loans to learners and tuition fee loans to HE and FE providers across the UK. The SLC works together with the Department for Education (DfE, England) and the Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (the Shareholders). In addition to being subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the SLC is required to operate within the limits of a Framework Document between the company and the government.

The SLC has in the region of 10 million customers, and manages a loan book worth over £260bn. In the 2023/24 academic cycle there were 1.45 million fulltime undergraduate applications received and processed; c.£25 billion paid in total to students. The SLC employs over 3,300 staff across four sites - Glasgow (Clyde Place and Hillington), Darlington, and Lllandudno Junction.

Over recent years, the SLC has developed a successful track record of delivery for customers and government shareholders – meeting the majority of the formal targets set by Government, developing systems to implement new policy, and implementing a significant transformation programme called ‘Evolve’ which introduced industry standard customer management systems and the first step of developing a ‘digital by default’ service. But there is still much to do to lead the technological transformation of the SLC, including replacing old technology, making the best use of customer data, and taking the SLC to the next stage of ‘digital by default’ services. This further transformation programme is designed also to deliver more agile platforms for policy development for Government and reduce the cost to serve customers, thereby delivering value to shareholders and the taxpayer.

Further information about SLC can be found:

• SLC website: Student Loans Company
• SLC Framework Document
• Annual Report and Accounts 2023-4
• SLC Corporate Plan 2022-3 – 2024-5

Board composition

The SLC consists of the following Board members:

• a non-executive Chair;
• the Chief Executive (who may not also hold the position of Chair);
• the Deputy Chief Executive;
• the Chief Finance Officer;
• up to eight Non-Executive Directors (NEDs); and
• the Company Secretary

The current group of six NEDs bring together a diverse range of experience including private sector financial services, technology applications, customer services, finance, and organisational development.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Leadership: Demonstrable strategic leadership experience at board level in a complex, evolving, and high-impact environment, including the ability to shape and communicate a compelling strategic vision and advance organisational priorities, with awareness of the broader social, economic and policy context.

• Judgement: Evidenced ability to guide effective decision-making at a senior level, particularly in relation to the management of finance and risk. Ability to manage complexity to provide constructive scrutiny and make informed strategic, financial, and business decisions.

• Communication: Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to build inclusive, respectful, and proactive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders with diverse interests, and offer support, constructive challenge, and assurance.

• Knowledge and Experience: A background in the private, public, or voluntary sectors with a track record of delivery on digital transformation, performance, and financial management. An understanding of the government environment and the role of the devolved governments is required, alongside an understanding of the UK financial services context.

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of effective governance in a regulated public sector environment, ideally through experience with HM Government or the wider public sector.

• An awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing the higher education sector including funding and financial sustainability.

• Public sector board level experience (e.g. on the board of a Government Department or Arm’s Length Body, or equivalent).

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement (2 pages)
• equality information 
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

Please note the following.

• We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date.
• Applications will be assessed on the documentation provided. Please refer to the advert and checklist to ensure you have provided the necessary documentation.
• We will assess applications based solely on documentation provided. Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.
• Feedback will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview.

Complaints

Please contact the Public Appointments Team if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at: PublicAppointments.DFE@education.gov.uk

We will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

If you are not content with our response please contact the Commissioner for Public Appointments at: publicappointments@csc.gov.uk 

Further information on complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s website:https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/ 

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Julia Kinniburgh - Director General, Skills Group - Departmental Official and Panel Chair.

Moawia Bin-Sufyan - Investment Director - Senior Independent Panel Member.

Margaret Casely-Hayford - A non-executive board member at the Department for Education.

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact  SLC.SPONSORSHIP@education.gov.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.  

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at PublicAppointments.DFE@education.gov.uk. 

They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

If you are not content with our response, please contact the Commissioner for Public Appointments at: publicappointments@csc.gov.uk

Further information on complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s website:

https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Personal data collected as part of this exercise will be processed in accordance with the Department for Education Privacy Notice. You can access the privacy notice here

Contact details

SLC.SPONSORSHIP@education.gov.uk

Attachments

• SLC Candidate Pack