John Freeman CBE, Policy Consultant, LGA

John Freeman is an independent commentator on matters relating to education and children’s services policy. Between December 2008 and August 2010, John led the sector-led support programme for the transfer of responsibility of 16-19 education from the LSC to local authorities. The transfer was proposed in the White Paper ‘Raising Expectations’ and the support programme was the Raising Expectations Action Programme – the React Programme.

John was the first Director of Children’s Services in Dudley from 2005 to 2008; before which he was Director of Education and Lifelong Learning between 2001 to 2005. He was inaugural Joint President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services in 2007/08.

John Freeman's background is as a science teacher in Birmingham, Hertfordshire and ILEA, where he became an Advisory Teacher. He then moved back to Birmingham as Science Adviser in 1987, and became Director of TVEI in 1988 working on 14-19 vocational education and training. In 1993 he became Head of Education Development for Tim Brighouse. In 1996 he became Deputy Director of Education in Somerset.

John was appointed a CBE in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List, for services to local government.