John Blake to leave OfS as Labour signals new approach to access

Former teacher steps down after one term, having overseen revamp in widening participation efforts

Published on

November 7, 2025

Last updated

November 7, 2025

Twitter: @TWilliamsTHE

John Blake, director of fair access, Office for Students

Source: Office for Students

Read more about

Read more about:

Higher education policy

Office for Students (OfS)

Widening participation

Register to continue

Why register?

Registration is free and only takes a moment
Once registered, you can read 3 articles a month
Sign up for our newsletter

Subscribe

Or subscribe for unlimited access to:

Unlimited access to news, views, insights & reviews
Digital editions
Digital access to THE’s university and college rankings analysis

Please or to read this article.

Related articles

Two Yeoman Warders closing doors to illustrate whether Labour want more people to go to university

Does Labour still want more people to go to university?

The party behind the UK’s 50 per cent target is back in power but, while it still pledges commitment to equality of opportunity, it’s not clear what role – if any – universities will play in achieving this mission

By Tom Williams

25 July

Skills White Paper: key reforms at a glance

Government commits to raising tuition fees and maintenance loans, with universities expected to deliver higher-quality teaching and more specialised research in return

By Juliette Rowsell

20 October

Two people exchanging dandelion flowers outdoors

OfS recruits for ‘provider board’ as Peck signals new approach

Regulator wants vice-chancellors to advise on policy as part of new chair’s attempts to build better relationship with sector

By Tom Williams

4 September

Chris Husbands outgoing Sheffield Hallam vice-chancellor

OfS following Atec in developing sector ‘steward’ role – Husbands

Governments leaning on agencies to convert autonomous institutions into ‘strategic national asset’ but face task like ‘herding cats’

4 November

Sponsored