David Bell - Permanent Secretary, Department for Children, Schools and Families

As Permanent Secretary in the Department for Children, Schools and Families, I act as the Secretary of State’s principal, non-political, policy adviser as well as being the “chief executive” and Accounting Officer for the Department. On the Permanent Secretaries Management Group and the Civil Service Steering Board, I bring to bear an “outsider’s” leadership and management perspective to improve the capability of the Civil Service.

Last updated - 12th December 2008

My background

I was a primary teacher in Glasgow, before becoming a deputy head and headteacher in Essex. Local government posts followed in Newcastle and Bedfordshire, including time as a director of education and libraries and chief executive. I also spent a year as a Harkness Fellow in the USA. Prior to this role, I was HM Chief Inspector of Schools in England and then Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Skills.

Career highlight

Influencing the children in my care as a teacher remains a major highlight of my life, as was being part of the team that helped to improve education in Newcastle. And at Ofsted, poor schools improved because of our work and thousands of youngsters benefited.

Looking forward

Working at a national level to improve opportunities and outcomes for children, young people and families is a wonderful privilege. That has motivated me over many years and the ambition still burns brightly today.

And I want Rushden and Diamonds to get to the Premiership one day...