Our Executive

The Chief Executive

Benn Gramola is the Chief Executive and Registrar of the Education Standards Board (ESB), where he leads the regulation and quality assurance of schools and early childhood education and care.

Benn has extensive experience in public sector leadership, governance, and regulatory systems, with a strong focus on strengthening education standards, safeguarding children and young people, and supporting continuous improvement across education providers. In his role, he works closely with sector stakeholders, government agencies, and the community to ensure regulatory frameworks are robust, transparent, and responsive to the evolving needs of children and families.

As Registrar, Benn is responsible for statutory decision making associated with the registration and regulation of education services, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and promoting confidence in South Australia’s education system.

Benn is committed to collaborative leadership, integrity in regulation, and delivering outcomes that place the wellbeing, safety, and educational outcomes of children and young people at the centre of the ESB’s work.

Image: Benn Gramola, Chief Executive, Education Standards Board

Contact
Office of the Chief Executive
Phone: 1800 882 413
Email: esb.oce@sa.gov.au 

Director, Regulatory Practice and Operations

Sean Heffernan is the Director of Regulatory Practice and Operations at the ESB. 

Sean has led the ESB’s early childhood education and care and government and non-government schools’ regulatory functions, overseeing Intake and Licencing, Quality Assessment, Compliance and Investigations and Regulatory Policy and Intergovernmental Relations. Sean is also responsible for driving and delivering key reforms to the ESBs regulatory processes and practices. 

Before joining the ESB, Sean was a Director at the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), where he led registration management, risk intelligence, stakeholder engagement and regulatory reform functions. Sean oversaw a comprehensive review of ASQAs service standards, focused on strengthening service delivery for registered training organisations and vocational education and training students. 

With more than a decade of experience in the public sector, Sean has held various leadership roles across government in compliance and enforcement, debt recovery, audit and risk management, planning and performance, corporate services and stakeholder engagement and has been recognised for building high-performing teams, implementing regulatory best practice and leading system improvements that enhance service to the public.
 

Image: Sean Heffernan, Director, Regulatory Practice and Operations

Director, Strategy and Governance 

Leah Bartley is the Acting Director, Strategy and Governance at the ESB. 

Leah has previously served in senior leadership positions across the South Australian public sector for more than 20 years.

Leah is responsible for leading the ESB’s strategic planning, organisational governance and business performance functions. She oversees cross agency initiatives that strengthen regulatory capability, support system reform, and enhance the ESB’s strategic alignment with government priorities. Leah also plays a key role in driving organisational improvement, strategic communications and cultural development across the agency.

Prior to joining the ESB, Leah held senior roles across the public sector in education, where she led major initiatives that improved educational outcomes and strengthened system governance. 

Leah brings extensive public sector expertise and a strong commitment to regulatory excellence, driving improved outcomes for children, young people and communities.

Image: Leah Bartley, A/Director Strategy and Governance