Speakers

Ian Knowles is the interim Director General for Digital and Infrastructure Group, and took on the role in May 2026.

He is responsible for:

· strategy and delivery of education estates;

· digital, data and technology; and

· strategic analysis, research, data, insight and science.

Prior to this Ian was the Chief Analyst and the Director of Strategic Analysis, Research, Data, Insight and Science at the Department for Education from 2023 to 2026.

Ian’s previous roles in government include:

· Head of Profession for Statistics and Chief Data Officer at the Department for Transport;

· Deputy Director for School Standards Analysis, and then Teachers Analysis at the Department for Education;

· roles at the:

· Department for Energy and Climate Change;

· Ministry of Justice; and

· Office for National Statistics