Julia Kinniburgh is the Director General for Schools Group, taking on the role in an interim capacity in January 2026 and as a formal appointment in June 2026.

Prior to this she was Director General for Skills Group from December 2022 to January 2026.

Julia’s previous roles in government include:

• Director General for Strategy Group at the Department for Education

• Director General for COVID-19 Response and Schools Recovery at the Department for Education

• Director General for the Serious and Organised Crime Group at the Home Office

• Director with responsibility for the national curriculum, national qualifications and school accountability at the Department for Education

• senior roles at HM Revenue & Customs and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

She has also held roles with the emergency services and local government.