26/08/2026
Charlie Lang has been appointed as the next Chief Education Officer for the Church of England and Chief Executive of the National Society for Education.
Currently Programme Director of the ‘Maximising Value for Pupils’ Programme at the Department for Education, Charlie will take up the role following the departure of The Revd Canon Nigel Genders CBE earlier this year.
As Chief Education Officer, he will help lead one of the country's largest education networks. The National Society oversees the Church of England's national education work in partnership with 41 diocesan boards of education and more than 4,700 Church schools educating over one million children, while also supporting education work across the Church in Wales.
The Church of England is a major presence in the education sector, with around a quarter of all primary schools in England, 228 secondary schools and more than 1,500 academies within its family of schools. The role combines strategic leadership, policy development and support for schools, dioceses, trusts and educational institutions, while championing the Church's vision for education, Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good, which seeks to enable children and young people to flourish spiritually, academically and personally through "life in all its fullness".
Charlie Lang is a senior civil servant and education leader who has spent more than 20 years at the Department for Education, where he has led major policy and reform programmes across education and children's services. His work has included oversight of the SEND and Alternative Provision Review, the Timpson Review of School Exclusion and the Munro Review of Child Protection. As well as the Maximising Value for Pupils Programme he has led a range of national initiatives, including the expansion of the Free Schools Programme and the establishment of Behaviour Hubs and Alternative Provision Taskforces.
Alongside his career in public service, Charlie has served in the Church of England for more than two decades and is a Churchwarden in East London. He and his wife previously fostered children and are parents of two children who attend Church of England schools.
He is expected to take up the role in mid-November.
Commenting on his appointment, Charlie Lang said: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next Chief Executive of the National Society and Chief Education Officer for the Church of England.
“My prayer is that we will listen afresh to children and young people at a moment when too many, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, are not experiencing life in all its fullness. Together, I believe we can play our part in shaping a hopeful future for childhood and education across England and Wales.
“I look forward to visiting and collaborating with colleagues in the National Society team and across the Church's education family - from dioceses, trusts and schools to colleges and universities - building on their great strengths and rich heritage so that more children and young people can flourish and encounter the love of Jesus.”
The Rt Revd Jonathan Frost, Bishop of Portsmouth and Chair of the National Society for Education, said: "I am delighted to welcome Charlie Lang as the Church of England’s next Chief Education Officer and Chief Executive of the National Society for Education.
“Charlie brings to the role an exceptional combination of educational expertise, strategic leadership, and deep Christian commitment. Throughout his career Charlie has demonstrated a passion for enabling children and young people to flourish, particularly those who are most vulnerable or at risk of being overlooked.
“Charlie’s experience at the highest levels of public service, together with his long-standing service in the life of the Church, will be an enabling and inspiring gift to our network of schools, colleges, MATs, Universities, diocesan teams and Boards of Education.
“Education is one of the Church of England’s most significant contributions to the common good. Today, more than one million children are educated in over 4,700 Church schools, and around 15 million people alive today attended a Church of England school. As we continue to champion a vision of education that is deeply Christian and which serves the common good, Charlie’s leadership will help ensure that many more children and young people experience life in all its fullness.
“I look forward to working closely with Charlie in the years ahead. We assure him of our prayers as he takes up this important ministry and leadership role.
“I would also like to express my appreciation for Andy Wolfe’s inspiring, dedicated, and invaluable leadership as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Andy will continue in the interim role until Charlie takes up his new role in the Autumn.”
William Nye, Secretary-General of the Archbishops' Council, said: “I am very much looking forward to working with Charlie as the Church’s Chief Education Officer. He will build on the excellent work of Nigel Genders and Andy Wolfe, helping schools, churches and parishes work together for the flourishing of all the children in our schools.”