Press release: PfS appoints new Chief Executive
07 August 2006
Tim Byles CBE has today been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools (PfS), the company delivering the government’s transformational multi-billion pound Building Schools for the Future investment programme.
Michael Grabiner, Chair of PfS, is delighted with the appointment, commenting that:
“Tim is a highly respected local authority Chief Executive. He has demonstrated his leadership qualities in Norfolk, and his ability to lead on a national stage during his tenure as Chair of both SOLACE and the Local Government Taskforce. I am very much looking forward to working with him.”
Tim is currently Chief Executive of Norfolk County Council, having previously been Director of Economic Development at Kent County Council. During his time in both of these appointments, he has been involved in large-scale schools and commercial premises procurement projects. He has worked extensively with central Government in his roles as Chair of the Local Government Taskforce and of SOLACE, a position he has held for the last four years. He has also served as National Procurement Champion for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
PfS manages the delivery of Building Schools for the Future (BSF), the national programme of investment in England’s secondary school estate, on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). BSF aims to enhance educational achievement by providing 21st century facilities for every secondary school pupil through a programme of remodelling and building over the next 10-15 years.
Jim Knight, Minister for Schools, said:
“I would like to congratulate Tim Byles on his appointment. PfS are doing a great job in delivering our unprecedented school rebuilding programme. The task we have given them is huge and Tim’s role will be a challenging one. However, with a strong emphasis on great design and solid partnerships, it is clear that Building Schools for the Future will deliver schools fit for the 21st century.”
James Stewart, Chief Executive of Partnerships UK said:
“I am delighted that Tim will be joining PfS. Not only does he bring a deep understanding of the public sector, he also has excellent procurement and commercial experience of the private sector, which will help him carry PfS into its next phase of development. ”
Speaking of his appointment Tim Byles said:
“I am tremendously excited about the chance to lead PfS and the delivery of the BSF programme. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform education, something which is close to my heart. We have an excellent team in place, and PfS has already made a big impact. I am proud to be leading the organisation into the future.”
Notes to Editors
This press release relates to England only
- Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. It was launched by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in 2003. The aim is to rebuild or renew every one of England?s 3,500 state secondary schools during the 15-year lifetime of the £45 billion programme.
- Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the Government’s delivery agency for BSF and (since March 2006) also for the Academies programme. PfS’ role is to co-ordinate the national rollout of the BSF and Academies programmes, to provide support and challenge for local authorities implementing its schemes, and to act as a focal point for the establishment of national standards of building and services delivery. Around 350 schools in over 30 local authority areas are already in the programme, representing three waves of investment to be delivered over the next three years.
- PfS was established in April 2005, as a Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB), and is operated and funded under a joint venture between the DfES and Partnerships UK (PUK).
- Partnerships UK was established by HM Treasury in 2000 to work across the public sector to deliver better value PPPs and to be at the forefront of new forms of PPP. It became a PPP itself in 2001, when private shareholders were brought in alongside HM Treasury, but continues to work exclusively for the public sector.
