Dame Christine Ryan appointed Executive Chair of Safeguarding Structures Programme Board

Dame Christine will chair the Programme Board overseeing the three-year initiative to deliver on the General Synod’s mandate to create a safer, more trusted, and sustainable safeguarding system across the Church.

She brings extensive experience in education, regulation, policy, and safeguarding. Her roles include serving as Chair of Ofsted, Chief Executive and Chief Inspector of the Independent Schools Inspectorate, and as a board member of Ofqual. This work, alongside international engagement with government, education, and faith bodies, has given her valuable insight into safeguarding practice and organisational accountability across different cultural contexts.

Dame Christine said: "It is a privilege to be invited to support the Church in this important initiative. Building on good practice in the Church today, this programme aims to create a system people can trust — one that protects the vulnerable and strengthens safeguarding across the Church for the future."

Bishop Joanne Grenfell, the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Safeguarding, said: “This is a hugely important moment of change for the Church. Dame Christine Ryan brings a wealth of experience, including her years as Chair of Ofsted, and I am confident her compassionate and clear-sighted leadership will be instrumental as we develop the best of what we do now and create new safeguarding structures for the future.”

Dame Christine will begin her role as Executive Chair on 1 October. The Programme Board will oversee the creation of new governance structures, including an independent scrutiny body and new arrangements for safeguarding delivery.