Public appointment: chair and members appointed to the inaugural board of Qualifications Scotland

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP, today announced the appointment of the chair and members of the inaugural Qualifications Scotland Board.

On 1 February 2026 the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will be replaced by Qualifications Scotland. The new body will prioritise building trust, restoring confidence, and, most importantly, it will change ways of working, more readily drawing on the views of stakeholders and increasing the transparency of decision-making. The diverse skills and experiences on the inaugural Board will provide a strong governance framework to help lead the new organisation through the important first few years as it establishes itself in Scotland’s education landscape.

The majority of the Board have been appointed within the last 16 months in preparation for the establishment of the new body. They bring a wealth of teaching, learner, staff and business perspectives which will help shape the organisation. They are joined by: Chair Shirley Rogers; headteacher Seán Hagney; and, retired college principal Ken Thomson, whose experience as former established members of the SQA Board will help the new Board settle into its governance role and perform from day one.

Chair

Shirley Rogers brings a wealth of experience to the role of Chair of Qualifications Scotland. She worked for the Scottish Government between 2012 and August 2023 where she was most recently Director of Performance, Delivery and Resilience. She was previously NHS Scotland’s Chief People Officer and the director with responsibility for Health Workforce, Leadership, Service Reform and EU Exit. Shirley began her career in central government in London, moving to the private sector and then the Police Service before joining NHS Scotland in 1996. During those professional roles Shirley also held office on a College board within Scotland. She has an Honours Degree, a Master’s Degree in International Human Resource Management and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She was awarded a CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours list for services to Community Health and Major Events in Scotland.

Shirley’s appointment is for 2 years and runs from 11 December 2025 until 30 November 2027. Shirley was appointed to the SQA from 1 December 2023 with the understanding she would join Qualifications Scotland.

Members who were previously on the board of the SQA

Seán Hagney brings over 30 years of experience within education in Scotland. Currently Head Teacher of St John’s RC High School, Dundee and former Head Teacher and Campus Leader of St John’s RC Academy and North Inch Community Campus in Perth until 2021, he has held a wide range of SQA appointee posts, including as a marker and Convener of an Assessment Panel. He has worked in a national agency as Team Leader for Assessment and Achievement. Within schools, he has experience as an SQA coordinator and Head of Centre, working closely with the SQA to ensure successful exam diets. Seán has been an SQA board member since 2016, and a member of the SQA Qualifications Committee and Vice-Convener of the Advisory Council.

Seán’s appointment will be for 2 years and will run from 1 February 2026 until 31 January 2028. Sean was appointed to the SQA from 1 August 2016.

Dr Ken Thomson brings extensive leadership and governance experience across Scotland’s education and skills system. He served for a decade as Principal of Forth Valley College, during which it was recognised as one of the UK’s top colleges, and now chairs the College Development Network. Ken has held a series of significant national roles, including membership of the Scottish Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Board and the independent Hayward Review into qualifications and assessment. He is a former Board member of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, where he chaired the Qualifications Committee, and in 2025 joined the Board of the Student Awards Agency Scotland. Ken has also served as the Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland National Ambassador for Education and Skills. He holds an OBE, is a Deputy Lieutenant for Stirling and Falkirk, and was awarded an Honorary Professorship by the University of Stirling.

Ken’s appointment will be for 4 years and will run from 1 February 2026 until 31 January 2030. Ken was appointed to the SQA from 1 August 2018.

Ronnie Erskine brings a breadth of finance, change management, strategic and risk management experience to this role from various public bodies over a 40-year period. His experience includes senior roles in finance and corporate functions in central government, local government and the education sector with responsibility for up to 300 staff and oversight of budgets of up to £6bn. Ronnie’s experience in the education sector includes senior roles at the General Teaching Council for Scotland and Renfrewshire Council as well as chairing Parent Councils at his children’s primary and secondary schools. He is currently a board member at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, where he chairs the Audit and Risk Committee, a role he also performed whilst a board member at NHS Tayside.

In a voluntary capacity Ronnie has chaired CIPFA in Scotland, the chartered public finance accountancy body.

Ronnie’s appointment will be for 3 years and runs from 9 December 2025 until 27 October 2028. Ronnie was appointed to SQA from 28 October 2024 with the understanding he would join Qualifications Scotland.

Simon Hewitt has nearly 20 years’ experience in further education, originally starting as a Lecturer in Computing, to working most recently as Principal of Dundee & Angus College since 2020. Simon has also held several non-executive and advisory roles across the UK including association with the College Alliance, Chair of Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) and board membership roles within the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), Workers' Educational Association (WEA) Scotland and Dundee Science Centre. With a background in digital and data, Simon also chairs the DataLab Skills Advisory Board and has held advisory positions on the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Digital Economy Skills Board and ScotlandIS Digital Skills Board. Simon is a passionate believer in collaborative, human centred approaches to designing curriculum and services, and helped establish Scotland’s first accredited qualification in Service Design.

Simon’s appointment will be for nearly 3 years, and runs from 15 January 2026 until 27 October 2028. Simon was appointed to SQA from 28 October 2024 with the understanding he would join Qualifications Scotland.

Caroline McFarlane brings extensive practical and academic experience to the Board, built on 15 years of leadership in Scottish secondary education. She is currently National Advisor for Technologies at Education Scotland and has previously worked as an SQA marker and coordinator, Faculty Head, and university lecturer in the North-East. Caroline is completing a Doctorate in Education focused on Project-based Learning and holds a Master’s degree in curriculum design and assessment, giving her strong insight into classroom practice and system-wide improvement. During the pandemic, she led nationwide personal protective equipment (PPE) production by Design and Technology teachers while also steering delivery of the online Technologies curriculum through e-Sgoil. A committed volunteer with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Scouts, she brings research-driven thinking, leadership and vision to Qualifications Scotland.

Caroline’s appointment is for 3 years and runs from 16 December 2025 until 27 October 2028. Caroline was appointed to SQA from 28 October 2024 with the understanding she would join Qualifications Scotland..

John Morton is a communications consultant with over 30 years’ experience working with public and private sector organisations to deliver effective corporate communications strategies. He has supported successful organisational change programmes across health technology and fire safety sectors in the UK. As a parent of four children educated in the Scottish school system, John is an advocate for an education system responsive to progress in order to deliver the best possible learning opportunities for young people. He was convenor of SQA’s Advisory Council.

John’s appointment is for 3 years and runs from 17 December 2025 until 27 October 2028. John was appointed to SQA from 28 October 2024 with the understanding he would join Qualifications Scotland.

Michelle Wailes is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. She started her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, working in the Government and Public Sector team. She then spent 10 years working at the Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Group where she gained extensive experience in internal audit, risk and corporate governance. Michelle is currently a board member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Scottish Canals, and a member of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner Audit and Accountability Committee.

Michelle’s appointment will be for 3 years and runs from 11 December 2025 until 27 October 2028. Michelle was appointed to SQA from 28 October 2024 with the understanding she would join Qualifications Scotland.

Members who have been newly appointed

Kirsty Berchtenbreiter is an experienced strategic HR leader and Chartered Fellow of the CIPD with over 20 years in senior roles across higher education and public sector organisations. She currently serves as Director of People and Wellbeing at the University of the West of Scotland, where she leads organisational change, employee engagement, and culture transformation. Kirsty brings expertise in governance, risk management, and embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into strategic decision-making. Her career highlights include delivering complex change programmes, championing values-based leadership, and strengthening employee engagement across large, multi-site organisations. She is passionate about shaping education policy and ensuring that learners and educators remain at the heart of reform. Kirsty’s skills in strategic oversight, collaborative leadership, and constructive challenge will support Qualifications Scotland in delivering its ambitious vision.

Kirsty’s appointment is for 4 years and runs from 18 December 2025 until 30 November 2029.

Ewan Carmichael brings extensive experience across social policy, communications, and public health. He is Policy & External Relations Manager at Quarriers, one of Scotland’s largest health and social care charities, where he leads on policy development, external engagement, and analysis of the real-world impact of national decisions. Ewan has held a number of non-executive roles, including as vice-chair of Alcohol Focus Scotland and as a board director and trustee of Iriss, and previously on the Scottish AI Alliance’s Community Advisory Group. Through these roles, he has supported national work to strengthen public services and ensure the voices of seldom-heard groups are reflected in policy design. Drawing on his lived experience as a neurodivergent person, Ewan is an advocate for improved accessibility and inclusion within Scotland’s education system.

Ewan’s appointment is for 4 years and runs from 17 December 2025 until 30 November 2029.

Jason Fitzgerald is a Depute Head Teacher at Westhill Academy. He has worked in secondary education for 30 years in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, including roles as Physics and Science Teacher, Principal Teacher, Faculty Head, part-time Acting Head Teacher and, with a national focus, was twice elected Teacher Member on the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Jason is an experienced SQA Co-ordinator and leads on Curriculum rationale and design. Perspectives Jason will bring to the board include that of classroom practice, school leadership and improvement, Pupil Support, and Additional Support Needs. In the context of Qualifications Scotland, Jason looks forward to cohesion of learner and practitioner engagement in the new culture, with continuity where it is appropriate, and change where it is necessary.

Jason’s appointment is for 4 years and runs from 18 December 2025 until 30 November 2029.

Sarah Higgins-Rollo is an experienced senior education leader with 20 years’ expertise in curriculum design, quality enhancement, and strategic planning across Scotland’s tertiary sector. She brings strong analytical capability, using data, performance evidence, and stakeholder insight to drive curriculum improvement and qualification design. As Vice Principal for Learning and Student Experience, she leads large multidisciplinary teams, manages complex change, and delivers strategies that strengthen learner voice, inclusivity, and measurable impact. Her background includes advanced skills in negotiation and partnership working with schools, employers, and regional agencies. Sarah offers Qualifications Scotland a strategic, evidence-led, and collaborative approach grounded in innovation, integrity, and a deep understanding of Scotland’s evolving education and skills landscape.

Sarah’s appointment is for 4 years and runs from 18 December 2025 until 30 November 2029.

Ian Hughes is a graduate from the University of Glasgow, and has some 35 years Executive experience within both the private and public sectors. He has operated at CEO and Managing Director level within diverse sectors such as Infrastructure; Property Development; Economic Development; Education and Social Enterprise, and has worked globally in West Africa, Sweden, Russia, USA and across the UK. In 2016, Ian joined the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as Scotland Director and is part of a leadership team which will directly invest some £1billion over the next 4 years within GB skills and training, with a particular focus in Scotland on modern apprenticeships and ensuring industry qualifications and standards are fit for employer needs.

Ian’s appointment is for 4 years and runs from 17 December 2025 until 30 November 2029.

Gerard (Gerry) O’Neil is an experienced secondary Head Teacher, currently leading St Ninian’s High School in East Renfrewshire, with over a decade of head teacher experience across three diverse Scottish school communities. He was the Chair of CHAS (Catholic Headteachers Association of Scotland) from 2022 until 2024. His career has equipped him with deep insight into the demographic and strategic challenges facing schools and the impact these have on national qualifications and learner attainment. Gerry has a strong record of driving strategic improvement, leading complex change, and shaping cultures that widen opportunity and raise achievement. Gerry is committed to supporting Qualifications Scotland as it plays its part in improving outcomes for young people across the country.

Gerry’s appointment is for 4 years and runs from 18 December 2025 until 30 November 2029.

All these appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

Shirley Rogers’ chair appointment is part-time and attracts remuneration of £395.92 per day – up to a maximum total fee of £28,506.24 per financial year - for a time commitment of up to 72 days per financial year.

The members’ appointments are also part-time and attract remuneration of £249.18 per day – up to a maximum total fee of £5,731.14 per financial year - for a time commitment of up to 23 days per financial year.

Other ministerial appointments

Michelle Wailes is a non-executive board member of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, for which she receives remuneration of £276 per day, for a time commitment of 2 days per week. Michelle is also a non-executive board member of Scottish Canals, for which she receives remuneration of £240 per day, for a time commitment of 2 days per month. Finally, Michelle a member of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner Audit and Accountability Committee, for which she receives remuneration of £200 per meeting, for a time commitment of 4 meetings per year.

Ronnie Erskine is a member of the board of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority, for which he receives remuneration of £228.69 per day, for a time commitment of 4 days per month.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

None of the above-noted appointees have had any political activity within the last five years.

Background

Qualifications Scotland will be Scotland’s national awarding and accreditation body. It will be an executive non-departmental public body that reports to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. Qualifications Scotland’s remit and functions are set out in the Education (Scotland) Act 2025. When established on 1 February 2026, Qualifications Scotland will develop, maintain and improve qualifications gained at Scotland’s schools, colleges, employers and training providers.