Sir Michael Barber

Michael Barber joined McKinsey in September 2005 as the expert partner in its Global Public Sector Practice. In this capacity, he has been working on major transformations of public services, especially education, in the USA, UK, and other countries.

Prior to joining McKinsey he was (from 2001) chief adviser on delivery to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. As Head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit he was responsible for the oversight of implementation of the Prime Minister's priority programs in health, education, transport, policing, the criminal justice system, and asylum/immigration.

Before joining the government Michael Barber was a professor at the Institute of Education, University of London. His major publications include The Learning Game: Arguments for an Education Revolution (Indigo 1997), How to do the Impossible: A Guide for Politicians with a Passion for Education (Institute of Education, London 1997), and The Virtue of Accountability (Boston University 2005).

His advice on public policy, especially education, has been sought by governments in a number of countries including Australia, the USA, Russia, Estonia, and Hong Kong and by major international organizations including the OECD, The World Bank, and the IMF.