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Jonathan Simons
Partner and Head of the Education Practice at Public First
Jonathan Simons is a seasoned policymaker, government relations expert, and strategy consultant with over two decades of experience in the U.K. and international governmental environments.
In his role as a Partner at Public First, Jonathan excels in leading the Education Practice, collaborating with prominent organizations within the English education sector to address intricate public policy challenges.
His influential presence extends into various trustee and advisory positions, including roles at Education Development Trust and Astrea Academy Trust, showcasing his deep commitment to shaping educational landscapes.
Jonathan's profound expertise in education and public service reform is demonstrated through his extensive work history, which includes leadership roles at organizations such as Policy Exchange and the Cabinet Office.
A distinguished writer, speaker, and media commentator, Jonathan engages with a broad audience on education and public policy matters, further solidifying his reputation as a thought leader in the field.
Having pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Politics at Durham University, Jonathan Simons enriches his professional accomplishments with a solid academic foundation that complements his practical experience.
Highlights
New report today, from Jess Lister and myself at Public First together with University of Warwick, on the tricky but important question - what happens if a university goes bankrupt?
We've been thinking about this for a while, and have drawn on the expertise of a lot of people much smarter than us, including Alistair Jarvis CBE, Smita Jamdar, Julian Gravatt, Chris Millward, Huw Morris, Sam Roseveare, and many others in the sector.
We argue that the current higher education policy landscape is not prepared to deal with large-scale individual institutional failure. Current approaches to protecting student provision have no force in insolvency law. We also identify second order knock-on effects – both geographically around the university, and to the wider ecosystem of teaching and research to the UK. And perhaps most importantly, there is also a huge risk of contagion – to student behaviour, staff behaviour, lender behaviour, and the possibility that failure deters international students from the UK as a market to study in.
In response to this increased risk, we call for a generally more proactive approach towards the sector, and specifically for the introduction of a three step process to hopefully preempt exit, or to manage it in a more orderly way if it does occur:
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A rebalancing of the role of the OfS – with a new direction from the Secretary of State to prioritise collaboration within its existing duties under HERA, so that the regulator can take a more proactive approach managing and forecasting financial risk, and so that student protection plans can be strengthened.
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The creation of a new £2.5bn Higher Education Enhancement and Transformation Scheme – to offer repayable loans to institutions that can make a compelling case for restructuring, pre-empting either exit or forced closure of provision.
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The creation of a new Higher Education Commissioner – to act as a primary liaison within the DfE between the sector and government, and to manage the deployment of the fund above.
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The creation of a new Special Administration Regime for higher education – modelled on that which already exists in further education, which would allow for a more orderly form of exit should restructuring be neither possible or effective.
Questions about regulation of quasi markets in the public interest are genuinely fascinating to me, but I accept not everyone (!) - but although change in the sector is necessary and important in responding to demand, chaotic exit isn't in anyone's interest.
Full report here: https://lnkd.in/eeUCi8VZ
And a Wonkhe oped here: https://lnkd.in/exGzx-8Q
Sunday thoughts: warm words, hard policies, pension wrangling
Warm words for the profession indeed:
“It’s a great honour to serve as Education Secretary. Serving the young people who will become the leaders of tomorrow, and working with the public servants – heroes – those who teach in our schools, who run our nurseries, who lead our colleges and head our universities, and the children’s social workers who care for the most vulnerable. [And I want to] show gratitude for their selflessness and service to the future of our country.”
Except that was said by Gavin Williamson, to Tory Party conference, in 2019…..
Thoughts on rhetoric, forthcoming legislation, and United Learning’s bold and welcome move on teacher pensions
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