Teaching Council CEO Lesley Hoskin resigns after investigation

Monday, 23 February 2026

Lesley Hoskin, chief executive of the Teaching Council, has resigned.

Teaching Council CEO Lesley Hoskin has resigned following the release of a highly critical report by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The news of Hoskin’s departure was announced by the council’s board chairman, David Ferguson, on Monday.

“The Teaching Council and Ms Hoskin agree that it is in the best interests of the parties for Ms Hoskin to resign to enable the Teaching Council to focus on the profession it serves,” Ferguson said in a statement.

Tom Gout would remain as acting chief executive while the Teaching Council found a new leader.

Hoskin’s resignation follows the findings of a PSC-led investigation into the council’s conflict of interest and procurement practices, which were released last Tuesday.

The report found “serious and repeated failures” in the council’s procurement and conflict of interest processes between late 2018 and early 2025.

Public Service Commission head Sir Brian Roche.

“These failures were not matters of minor or technical non-compliance – they reflected poor oversight and immature organisational controls, particularly in relation to conflict management,” the report said.

One aspect of the report found more than $1.1 million worth of contracts was awarded to Celemger UnLtd, a firm whose managing director, Brett Hoskin, was Hoskin’s husband. He stepped down as a director at the end of January.

Other key findings were that procurement activity did not comply with the council’s own policies, as well as falling short of system expectations.

Sir Brian Roche said the findings painted a concerning picture for an organisation responsible for regulating and upholding professional standards for teachers.

“In this case, basic public sector expectations were not met, and in some areas the Council fell well short,” he said.

“These shortcomings created avoidable organisational and reputational risks and have the potential to undermine trust in the Teaching Council.”

An earlier version of this story said over $1.7m worth of contracts was awarded to Celemger UnLtd. The correct total was $1,115,515. (Amended at 2.50pm on February 23, 2026)