The man appointed to head the Department of Education after the resignation of its old chief executive in the wake of a damning report has been given the job full time.

Graham Kinrade became the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s interim chief executive in September.

This week he was given the permanent job.

He was drafted in after his predecessor, Professor Ronald Barr, resigned from the post that month following the publication of the independent Beamans Report. Mr Barr had been in the post for seven years.

The report, commissioned by Chief Minister Howard Quayle amid a protracted dispute over teacher salaries, found there to be a ’fractured’ relationship between the department and its workforce.

Since then the department said that Mr Kinrade has been working to rectify the problems highlighted in the report.

Mr Kinrade joined the department as a teacher in 1987 and went on to hold positions, including head teacher and school improvement adviser.

More recently he worked for Government Technology Services, (GTS) as director.

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said: ’We attracted a first class field in our hunt for an inspirational leader and I feel, in Graham, we have found the right person for an exciting new chapter.

’The department is facing many challenges, but also real opportunities to build and improve on the excellent education system we have and inspire young people and the rest of our community through the sports and cultural activities we offer.’

Mr Kinrade said: ’I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity to lead an organisation for which I hold with great passion.

’I look forward to continuing work to reset relationships and culture, with the clear focus of our people.

’These are challenging times, but there are great opportunities ahead of us, and I feel extremely lucky to be able to work with such a dedicated, hard-working team to deliver high quality education, and provide the best cultural and sporting opportunities on the island.’

In the position Mr Kinrade will be responsible for more than 2,300 staff and a budget of £115 million.

Graham Kinrade became the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s interim chief executive in September.