LocatED to integrate with Department for Education
The move follows the Cabinet Office’s review of all Arm’s Length Bodies across government announced in April 2025
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LocatED will be brought into the Department for Education (DfE) by April 2026 as part of plans to consolidate government property functions.
The move follows the Cabinet Office’s review of all Arm’s Length Bodies across government announced in April 2025.
It will combine LocatED’s commercial property expertise with the department’s knowledge of schools’ needs, with the aim of delivering improved facilities and value for money.
The department said the change would strengthen its ability to support schools, academy trusts and local authorities by bringing together capital programme delivery, policy oversight and property management expertise.
LocatED was established in 2017 to acquire, develop and manage sites for schools and colleges, as well as to provide strategic property advice. The integration will bring its functions directly into the DfE, creating a single team responsible for managing and developing the education estate.
Permanent secretary Susan Acland-Hood said: “LocatED will bring commercial property expertise into the heart of the Department for Education to help us manage and transform the education estate, make it sustainable, give great value to the taxpayer, and support excellent outcomes for children and young people. I’m delighted to be welcoming LocatED colleagues even more closely into the department.”
LocatED chief executive Lara Newman added: “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved since our establishment in 2017. Our success has been built on the specialist expertise of our team, our can-do approach to problem-solving, and the strong relationships we’ve developed with clients, partners and stakeholders.
“Throughout this transition, our clients and partners can expect the same high-quality service and expertise they’ve come to rely on. Both organisations will work closely together to ensure seamless continuity of all services and projects throughout the transition period.”
The transition is scheduled to be completed by April 2026.
