Barbara Lane has been appointed as the Director of Education for Southwark Diocese. She will succeed Linda Borthwick who retires at the end of August.

Barbara Lane, 47, is currently Project Director for Partnerships for Church of England Schools. She has worked as an education consultant and for Hackney and Lambeth Local Education Authorities in a variety of roles, including Assistant Director of Education of The Learning Trust in Hackney. Barbara Lane has also held a range of senior management positions in the private sector.

A former Chair of Governors of a Southwark Diocesan Church School, she worships at Southwark Cathedral where she has been Cathedral Warden. She is Chair of Southwark Cathedral's Millennium Trust, is a governor of the Cathedral School and has represented the Cathedral on various national bodies.

Barbara Lane says, 'I am delighted to be appointed Director of Education for the Diocese of Southwark and for the opportunity to build on the excellent work of Linda Borthwick and the Board of Education team. It is an exciting time in education with new opportunities and partnerships and I look forward to leading this important work.

The Rt Rev. Dr Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark, commented: 'Barbara Lane has a proven track record in educational management, and knows Southwark Diocese well. She will bring many skills and much experience to this important post and I am delighted by her appointment'.

Barbara Lane will begin her work at the Board of Education in September.