Peter Wanless
Sir Peter Thomas Wanless, is an English executive and former civil servant. From 2013 until 2024, he was the chief executive officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. In June 2022, he was appointed President of Somerset County Cricket Club. In July 2014, he was appointed by the British government to head a review into historical sex abuse claims. He is the chair of 5Rights Foundation, an organisation established by Baroness Beeban Kidron to promote the rights of children online.
Early life
Wanless was born on 25 September 1964. He was educated at Sheldon School, then a comprehensive school in Chippenham, Wiltshire. He then studied International History and Politics at the University of Leeds, graduating with a BA degree in 1986. He has since studied on the Advanced Management Programme at Insead.Career
After joining the Civil Service, he held a variety of posts at the HM Treasury, including Head of Private Finance Policy, and Principal Private Secretary to three Cabinet Ministers. including Michael Portillo, both when Portillo was Chief Secretary to the Treasury and later as Secretary of State for Employment. Wanless later held senior positions within the Department for Education and Skills and its successor the Department for Children, Schools and Families, including Director of School Performance and Reform and Director of Strategy and Communications.Wanless was CEO of the Big Lottery Fund between February 2008 and May 2013. Since June 2013, he has been the chief executive officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. He was a non-executive director of The Kemnal Academies Trust, which operates academy schools in South East England. He is currently a Trustee of the and a member of the advisory board of the UK Government's National Leadership Centre.
On April 9th 2024 Wanless announced he will be stepping down as NSPCC Chief Executive after 11 years. On June 20th 2025, Wanless became the chair of 5Rights Foundation.