While the group is billed as central to the UK’s new international education strategy, key questions remain unanswered – from who sits at the table to how much power it actually holds.
According to the strategy document, published on January 20, ESAG is a “reformed ministerially chaired forum which will bring together industry, government, and representative bodies from across the education sector to tackle key concerns and identify opportunities for partnerships”.
The government’s new international education strategy sets out that each ESAG representative will lead on an action plan, published within the first 100 days of appointment to ESAG, outlining how their members will support delivery.
However, at the time of publication, appointments have not yet been announced, leaving open questions about representation, authority, and how this new action-oriented mandate will translate into practice.
ESAG is not entirely new. It is a “reinvigorated” version of the previously existing Education Sector Advisory Group, with a slight change in name and notable shift in emphasis – from advice to action. The rebrand signals a more delivery-focused role and responsibility shared between government and the sector.
This reformed ministerially chaired forum will bring together industry, government, and representative bodies from across the education sector to tackle key concerns and identify opportunities for partnerships.
UK international educations strategy
It is worth noting the composition of the original advisory group, which was established to boost UK education exports and met three times a year. It has been suggested that some members will remain, while others won’t. The members of the pre-existing advisory group, as listed by the government, are:
- The minister with responsibility for the education sector, Department for Business and Trade (DBT) (co-chair)
- Apprenticeship and skill minister, Department for Education (DfE) (co-chair)
- Director, Universities UK International (UUKi)
- Chief executive, Independent Higher Education (HE)
- Chair of the UK Skills Partnership
- Chief executive, English UK
- Chief executive, British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA)
- Chief executive, Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
- Chief executive, Early Years Alliance
- Chief executive, National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN)
- CEO, publishers Association
- Director education, British Council
- Senior representatives from the Devolved Administrations
- UK government International education champion
- DBT and DfE senior representatives
- Senior representatives from the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as required
Speaking exclusively to The PIE News, Sir Steve Smith, the UK government’s international education champion, shared further details on ESAG’s revamp and structure. He said the group will be chaired on a rotating basis by three government departments – the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Education (DfE).
The co-chairs will work with selected sector bodies, which will be asked to set out both what they want ESAG to achieve and how the sector can contribute to delivery. The forum will play a guiding role for government, helping to identify new opportunities. Sir Steve added that some of this work is already underway, with groundwork already laid through the existing advisory group.
For Sir Steve, ESAG is a response to the breadth and specialisation of the education sector – capacity that he said the DBT does not have the resources to cover on its own.
“It is trying to make sure that we represent the whole education sector and not just the bit that’s best established,” he added.
Appointments are currently being finalised, with the first meetings expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks and membership announced in due course.
We will be exploring the new international education strategy at The PIE Live Europe on 24-25 March 2026, at The Brewery London. Book your tickets today and join in the debate. Check out the agenda and booking information here.
