The MP for Chichester is the sixth education secretary in just over a year, replacing Kit Malthouse.
Following news of Keegan's appointment, education leaders stressed the need for continuity and stability, and said that the challenges the sector faces in schools and early years settings are urgent.
On her appointment, Keegan said, ‘I’m deeply honoured to have been appointed as Secretary of State for Education by the PM @RishiSunak.
‘Education transforms lives – I know that talent is spread equally around the country, and I will work tirelessly to ensure opportunity is also.’
She was elected MP for Chichester in 2017.
It is the second time round in the Department for Education for Keegan, who served as the junior minister responsible for apprenticeships and skills between 2020 and 2021.
Keegan was a minister in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Liz Truss’ government.
Prior to that she served as minister of state at the Department for Health and Social Care, where she was the minister responsible for care.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, noted that Keegan was the ninth education secretary in a decade and the fifth this year.
‘Education is far too important to be subjected to such damaging levels of instability,’ he said. ‘The challenges facing schools are urgent and are affecting the lives and life-chances of millions of children, right now.
‘Recent analysis shows that this government is due to fall around £2 billion short of its education funding pledge. With the “Halloween Budget” looming – and further cuts implied by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – the new Education Secretary has just days to get to grips with the reality of the situation facing schools, listen to the profession, and make a compelling case to the Treasury for the funding so urgently needed.
‘School leaders will be hopeful that in Gillian Keegan we might now finally have an education secretary who understands that education should be seen not as a drain on the nation’s finances, but as the best investment that can be made in our country’s future – and who stays the course to the next election to make education a priority for this government again.’
Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said, ‘With six different education secretaries in post over the last 14 months, it’s clear that the education sector is in desperate need of some stability and continuity, and that establishing a clear sense of direction for education policy in this country must be a top priority for Ms Keegan in her new position.
‘It is crucial, however, any such policy work recognises that education starts long before the school gates, and acknowledges the absolutely pivotal role that the early years sector plays in supporting long-term learning and development, alongside our primary, secondary, further and higher education colleagues.
‘As such, we look forward to working closely with Ms Keegan to ensure that early education and care is treated with the respect it deserves and sits at the heart of her department’s work going forward.’
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association, said, 'This is a critical time for our youngest children as we continue to build back from the impacts of the pandemic and navigate the cost-of-living crisis. The new education secretary, Gillian Keegan, has a lot in her in-tray but early education and childcare must be a top priority.
'In his first speech, the Prime Minister spoke of looking to the future, levelling up and protecting future generations. Evidence proves that investing in early years is the best possible way to do this. It gives children the best start in life, improves their educational outcomes and is vital in supporting working families.
'The early years sector is facing huge challenges, and although nurseries and childcare settings have proven time and again how resilient they are, we need and deserve support from the Government. Skyrocketing bills, a workforce crisis and the raft of providers leaving the sector will not be helped by continued underfunding. We look forward to working with the new Secretary of State on these urgent areas and hope her previous experience around apprenticeships and skills will help us tackle the workforce challenges together.
'If the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State are to deliver on their promise of Levelling Up the country, they must look to level up our sector.'
Education secretary Gillian Keegan
According to her website, Keegan was born in Leigh, Lancashire, went to primary school in Yorkshire, and attended a comprehensive in Knowsley, Merseyside.
She started work as an apprentice at Delco Electronics, part of General Motors at the age of 16. She was sponsored to study a degree in Business Studies at Liverpool John Moores University.
She spent nearly 30 years working abroad in manufacturing, banking, and IT.
In 2014, she moved into politics and was elected as a local councillor.
She was elected as a MP for Chichester in 2017, and has subsequently worked in several government departments.