Ben Nicholls

[email protected]

Interim Head of Research & External Relations

After studying music at Cambridge University, Ben began his career in the Department for Education, where he worked on a range of policy areas, and was Aide to Lord Laming during his 2009 child protection review. From 2010 to 2013 he was Specialist to the House of Commons Education Committee, advising MPs on matters across their 0-19 policy brief and leading inquiries into teacher training, inspection, qualifications reform, SEN, home education, and other areas. He was subsequently appointed Head of Policy and Communications at Newham College, where he was a member of the management team and led work on external affairs, strategy, and community engagement. He was the first 'FE Insider' columnist for FE Week, has written articles for TES, Guardian and other outlets, and recently authored a think-tank report on extended schooling.

Ben left Newham in summer 2014 to stand as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate in his home constituency, where he held second place against the odds in May 2015. During that period he was also a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Education and Employment Research, leading work on vocational education. From January 2016, he will be Director of Social Responsibility at Charterhouse School, where he will oversee the school's interaction with its wider communities and society. He is also founder-chair of RicNic, an award-winning youth theatre charity, and has been a governor of two primary schools.