A senior civil servant who led Labour’s flagship school cost-cutting programme has been named the Church of England’s new education boss. Whitehall official Charlie Lang will become the Church’s chief education officer in the autumn, taking over from Nigel Genders, who stepped down from the role earlier this year to run the government’s admissions watchdog. Lang will move into the role following 20 years at the Department for Education, where he oversaw government spending, free schools and SEND programmes. Jonathan Frost, the Bishop of Portsmouth, said: “Charlie brings to the role an exceptional combination of educational expertise, strategic leadership, and deep Christian commitment. “Throughout his career Charlie has demonstrated a passion for enabling children and young people to flourish, particularly those who are most vulnerable or at risk of being overlooked.” Taskforces and reviews Lang helped oversee the previous government’s SEND and alternative provision (AP) reviews, as well as the Timpson review of school exclusion. He is currently programme director of the maximising value for pupils (MVP) programme, a wide-ranging scheme tackling commercial, workforce and tech spending. The mandarin has also helped lead the expansion of the free schools programme, and the establishment of behaviour hubs and AP taskforces. Lang is an East London churchwarden, having served in the Church for more than two decades. He is expected to take up his new role in mid-November. The appointment means he will also serve as chief executive of the National Society for Education, which leads the Church of England’s national work in schools. ‘Inspiring gift’ Frost believes his experience “at the highest levels of public service… will be an enabling and inspiring gift to our network of schools, colleges, MATs, universities, diocesan teams and boards of education”. Lang added: “My prayer is that we will listen afresh to children and young people at a moment when too many, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, are not experiencing life in all its fullness. “I look forward to visiting and collaborating with colleagues in the National Society team and across the Church’s education family… building on their great strengths and rich heritage so that more children and young people can flourish and encounter the love of Jesus.” Andy Wolfe will continue as the Church’s interim chief education officer, before returning to his executive director of education role when Lang takes over. The Church has over 4,700 schools spanning 41 dioceses across England.