About Us
Helping students and teachers to realise their potential
Dale Bassett
Chief Qualifications Officer
Joined: February 2026
Dale is responsible for leading general qualifications development and ensuring that AQA’s qualifications meet our charitable purpose and support learners and teachers effectively. His previous roles include Director of International, Head of Product Reform and Director of Public Policy. He has also chaired the board of OxfordAQA, a joint venture with Oxford University Press.
Prior to his current role, Dale was Director of Curriculum & Assessment at United Learning, England’s largest schools trust. Earlier in his career he served as an adviser at the Cabinet Office and was Research Director at a leading Westminster think tank.
He is Chair of Hope Mill Theatre, an award-winning independent theatre in Manchester, and is a trustee of the multi-academy Greater Manchester Education Trust. He was founding chair of governors of a secondary free school in London, a founding trustee of the National Baccalaureate Trust and served on the board of Ark Curriculum Plus. Dale holds an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School.
