Last updated: 08 Oct 2008

A graduate of Manchester University, BA (1963), PGCE (1964), M.Ed (1975), Kathleen Tattersall began her career in 1964 as a teacher, working in both primary and secondary schools before joining (in 1972) a CSE awarding body, the Associated Lancashire Schools Examining Board, as an Assistant Secretary. In 1982, following a year's secondment to the Schools Council to undertake research into differentiation (published as Schools Council Bulletin 42), she became Secretary to the Board. She moved in 1985 to the North West Regional Examinations Board as its Secretary and in 1990 was appointed Secretary to the Joint Matriculations Board. In 1992 Kathleen became the Chief Executive of the newly formed Northern Examinations and Assessment Board (NEAB). In 2000 NEAB merged with the AEB into the Assessment Qualifications Alliance (AQA). Kathleen retired as AQA's first Director General in October 2003.

Between 1983 and 2003 Kathleen chaired the national body of school examinations boards in each of their manifestations and represented the boards in discussion with Ministers, the Department and the Regulator.

In 1988 Kathleen was appointed to the board of SEAC, charged with the responsibility for the introduction of a national curriculum and better regulation of the examination system. In 2003, Kathleen was appointed to serve on the Working Party set up by the Secretary of State and chaired by Sir Mike Tomlinson to make recommendations on the curriculum and assessment arrangements for the 14-19 phase of education. She served on the Group's Assessment Committee and chaired a group of technical experts which advised the Committee.

Kathleen joined the governing Council of Manchester University in 1997 and chaired its Audit Committee until 2004 when the University merged with UMIST to form the new University of Manchester. Kathleen was appointed to the Board and continues to chair the Audit Committee. She is the appointed deputy to represent the Chair on the Committee of University Chairs (the CUC). She is also an ex-officio member of the Risk committee.

Kathleen was Chair of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors 2005 - 2008 and appointed the Chair of Ofqual in April 2008. Kathleen was awarded an OBE in 2003 for her contribution to education and assessment.