South West Regional Director leaves

Hannah Woodhouse, the Department for Education’s regional director for the south west, will leave the role early next year after almost seven years in post.

The senior civil servant will take up the role of Executive Director of Children and Education at Bristol City Council in February.

Hannah Woodhouse has been regional director for the south west since the new regions group was created last year and before that, she was the area’s regional schools commissioner since 2019.

She said her new role offered a “fabulous opportunity to lead across a terrific city – where I was born – working with children’s services, schools and trusts” but added it had been a “difficult decision to move on: I have loved working across this beautiful region”.

Paying tribute to her on X, Dan Morrow, chief executive of the Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, said: “Congratulations Hannah, you will of course be brilliant. “Equally, you will be missed; you really have been a beacon of high standards, aspiration care for all children within the south west. With all best wishes.”

No information is available yet as to who will be the next regional director for the south west.