Dr Desmond Bermingham

Dr Desmond Bermingham was appointed as non-executive director and chair of the Education and Learning Committee in June 2024 for a three year term.

Desmond is also currently the chair of the Independent Technical Advisory Panel for the Global Partnership for Education at the World Bank and a non-executive director for Greenheart Action Ltd.

Desmond has over thirty years’ experience in education and international development. His previous leadership roles have included UK chief executive of the Australian Council for Education Research, from 2018 to 2024; director of programmes for the Varkey Foundation, from 2016 – 2018; director and managing director of the Education Above All Foundation and Educate a Child International (2014 – 2016); global education director for Save the Children International, from 2010 – 2014; head of the World Bank’s Education for All Fast Track Initiative (2006 – 2008); and head of the education profession for the UK Department for International Development (DFID) from 2003 – 2006.

Desmond has an Ed D in international education policy from the Institute of Education of the University College of London; an MSc in global development management from the Open University; an MA in education curriculum and evaluation; and a BA in English Language and Literature from St John’s College Oxford.