Our Board

Martin is Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, whose mission is to make Scotland the best place in the world to educate, research and innovate, investing around £2 billion of public money each year in colleges and universities to provide life-changing opportunities and contribute to our economic prosperity.

Martin joined SFC in May 2020 from the University of Glasgow where he was Director of Planning, Insight and Analytics and led the introduction of university wide Data Analytics as well as a range of other change projects.   Prior to that Martin had a number of roles in the Scottish Government mainly around, skills and education and his final role was heading up the Higher Education Policy Division.

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Professor Cara Aitchison brings extensive experience of higher education leadership across the UK and internationally, including over a decade as a University Principal. She has particular expertise and skills in transformational leadership of: higher education strategy, culture and finance; equality, inclusion, and widening participation; international strategy and transnational education; and partnership working with local and regional economic development bodies.

Cara served as President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Metropolitan University (2016-2024) where she led significant growth, diversification and improvement, recognised by awards including: The Times Higher Education ‘UK & Ireland University of the Year 2021’ and People and Planet’s Green League for Ethical & Environmental Sustainability ‘UK University of the Year 2022/23’.

Cara was previously Head of Moray House School of Education at The University of Edinburgh (2010-2013) and has served as Chair of: the Research Excellence Framework Sub-Panel for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism in REF 2014 (2010-2014); Universities UK’s Staff-Student Sexual Misconduct Advisory Group (2018-2022); and Universities Wales’ Wales-Ukraine Universities Group (2020-2024). She has also served as a member of: the Council of the All-Party Parliamentary (Universities) Group (2022-2024); Board of the Higher Education Statistics Agency (2021-22); Economic Growth Board of Cardiff Capital Region (2019-2024); Council of CBI Wales (2016-2023); Council of the Academy of Social Sciences (2015-2021); and Board of the Equality Challenge Unit (2015-2018).

Cara, who was born and educated in Scotland and now lives in Stirling, completed a Geography degree at Edinburgh University (1983-1987) before undertaking a series of postgraduate and teaching qualifications including a part-time PhD at Bristol University (1996-1999). She has extensive experience of research leadership, is Professor Emerita in Geography and Cultural Economy, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Royal Geographical Society, Learned Society of Wales, and the Higher Education Academy, and is currently a member of the Boards of Visit Scotland (2023-), the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (2023-), and Arts University Plymouth (2024-).

Cara’s appointment runs from 29 June 2024 to 28 June 2028.

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David Alexander has been a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) since 1996 and has held a number of senior roles in local government, colleges and with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

David is currently Principal and Chief Executive at Gateshead College, taking up post in June 2021. Prior to this, David was Vice Principal at West College Scotland from 2013. He brings extensive knowledge and experience of public sector finance and the education sector and is a passionate advocate of lifelong learning.

His re-appointment runs from 3 October 2021 to 2 October 2025.

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Born and raised in Ayrshire, Richard Armour MA MSc PhD JP is a graduate of Glasgow, Open and London universities. He has spent most of his career in higher education, initially in the UK but predominantly overseas, particularly in Hong Kong serving in faculty, administrative and leadership roles.

His most recent full-time appointment was Secretary General (CEO) of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee (UGC) which is the government department responsible for planning and funding of the higher education sector. Prior to that he was Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

Recently he has served as a council member of Research England (a constituent research funding council of UKRI).

Richard’s appointment runs from 29 June 2024 to 28 June 2028.

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Linda Hanna is an experienced leader and non-executive working across academia, public and private sectors focusing on innovation and major economic opportunities.

As a member of the Executive Team at Scottish Enterprise for 10 years, Linda worked nationally and internationally, helping accelerate strategic investment in different parts of Scotland and industries such as high-value manufacturing, life sciences, food and drink, data-driven innovation and the low-carbon economy. Working with partners, Linda supported entrepreneurs, industries and communities in Scotland to grow, innovate and create jobs.

With her keen interest in science, innovation and skills, Linda now pursues a portfolio of interests to continue to drive ideas and action that ultimately benefits people and builds sustainable solutions.

Linda’s appointment runs from 29 June 2024 to 28 June 2028.

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Mhairi Harrington has worked for over 40 years in Education with her experience spanning Primary Education, Youth and Community Work, Adult Education and most significantly Further and Higher Education.

Throughout that time she had held a variety of posts which have encompassed learning and teaching, curriculum design and quality, programme and project management, commercial development and marketing and all aspects of middle and senior management. Mhairi was also an Associate Assessor with HMIE for a period of seven years.

As Principal and Chief Executive of West Lothian College from 2008 – 2018 she had responsibility for Strategic Leadership and Governance for all areas and functions of the college.

Mhairi has served on a significant number of national, regional and local boards, committees and forums.  On behalf of the Scottish Government Mhairi is currently Chairing the Adult Learning Strategic Forum Scotland which is responsible for the review of community based Adult Learning.

She is also a Senior Fellow for the College Development Network and is a local board member for Family and Community Development West Lothian.

In 2015, Mhairi was awarded TES FE UK leader of the year in recognition of her collaborative leadership and partnership working. In 2016, she was awarded an OBE for Services to Education and in 2018 was honoured to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Glasgow Herald Higher Education Awards Event.

Her re-appointment runs from 3 October 2021 to 2 October 2025.

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Since February 2019, Lorna has been Chair of the Highlands & Islands Airports Limited, a Scottish Government owned company which runs 11 airports including Inverness and Dundee, having served as a Non-Executive Director and Audit committee Chair from 2014 to 2018. In November 2023 she was appointed to the advisory board of the Isle of Man Airport by the Isle of Man Government.

She is also Chair of Opulus Financial, a private sector company offering accountancy and tax services, through a network of businesses they own across Scotland.

She is also the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of the Netherlands covering Scotland, connecting businesses and organisations between both countries, keeping the Embassy in London updated on important Scottish developments and helping Dutch citizens in emergency situations.

Lorna was Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland, the professional body of 12,200 Scottish Solicitors until December 2021. During her time there she led the Society’s staff team in delivering a programme of transformation and modernisation.

She previously served on the Court of Aberdeen University (2017-2019) and was a founding Trustee and Treasurer of McConnell International Foundation for a decade.

Lorna is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, and a graduate of the University of Aberdeen.

Lorna’s reappointment runs from 4 November 2023 to 3 November 2026.

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Ewart Keep holds an (emeritus) Chair in Education, Training and Skills at the Department of Education, Oxford University.

Ewart has researched and written on the links between skills and economic performance; the interaction  between economic development, business support, innovation and education and training; the workplace as a learning environment; and adult and lifelong learning.

He has advised the UK government departments, parliamentary committees at Holyrood and Westminster, the OCED and the governments of Australia and New Zealand.

Ewart’s reappointment runs from 4 November 2023 to 3 November 2026.

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Andy Kerr has considerable experience in high-performing organisations, chairing and being chaired by others, working to the Nolan principles and providing effective leadership and getting the best out of people, teams, committees and Boards.

Andy has chaired several high-level Boards such as the Chairs and Chief Executives of the NHS, a variety of Scottish Cabinet sub committees, he was formerly the chair of the Board of Quality Scotland and South Lanarkshire College. He has extensive knowledge of business and commerce both as policy maker and as a practitioner and has worked in the public, private and third sectors.

As chair of South Lanarkshire College, he oversaw a strategic plan which delivered a balanced budget, many prestigious third party accreditations and SLC is one of the highest performing colleges in Scotland. Andy shares with many the mission of changing lifetime opportunities for students supporting economic growth, matching ambitions of students to the economy and positive destinations.

Andy’s reappointment runs from 4 November 2023 to 3 November 2026.

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Kate spent her 30-year career spanning education and financial services, initially qualifying as an accountant, then as a Charter Financial Analyst. Her roles saw her teaching finance across the UK and globally, before running a fixed income desk for a global bank. After leaving banking Kate returned to education in a number of leadership roles at Fitch Learning, LTG and more recently as CEO of Ivy House. She also served for 6 years on the Board, and as Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee, for the Office for Students between 2017 and 2023.

Kate’s appointment runs from 29 June 2024 to 28 June 2028.

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Peter Mathieson was educated in Cornwall and graduated in medicine with First Class Honours from the University of London in 1983.

Peter was awarded a PhD by the University of Cambridge in 1992 and became Director of Studies for Clinical Medicine at Christ’s College, Cambridge following this.

In 1995 Peter moved to Bristol as the foundation Professor of Renal Medicine at the University of Bristol where he was later appointed Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in 2008. He practised as a consultant nephrologist in the NHS in Bristol for 19 years. In April 2014, Peter assumed office as the President and Vice-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, a post he held until January 2018. He was knighted for services to higher education in 2023.

Peter is currently the Principal of the University of Edinburgh.

Peter’s reappointment runs from 4 November 2023 to 3 November 2026.

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Irene McAra-McWilliam has international experience of creative leadership having worked as Director of Design Research for multinational Philips Electronics. She is currently Deputy Director Research & Innovation at The Glasgow School of Art and was responsible for establishing GSA’s Highlands and Islands Campus in Moray and the GSA’s new Innovation School. Irene was awarded an OBE in recognition of her work in Higher Education, Innovation and Design.

Irene’s reappointment runs from 4 November 2023 to 3 November 2026.

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Alison is a Senior Leader and Qualified Accountant with extensive experience in corporate finance, strategic and functional leadership, transformational client centric change, and P&L delivery within the financial services sector. Alison qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and went on to hold a variety of leadership roles within Corporate and Commercial Banking and Workplace Pensions for Lloyds Banking Group. She is a strong believer in the power of individuals and their collective potential, and is passionate about making a difference by embracing diversity, equity and inclusion. Alison led her own business, manufacturing and selling extra protective iPad covers for those with additional support needs, and as well as Board positions for charities supporting people with disabilities in the past, she is currently a member of the Board of the Independent Living Fund.

Alison’s appointment runs from 29 June 2024 to 28 June 2028.

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John was born in Fife, Scotland, in 1949 into a brass band family. He attended Buckhaven High School and King’s College, Cambridge. During his trumpet-playing career he held positions with the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, and London Sinfonietta, as well as forming the Wallace Collection brass ensemble.

He recorded all the major trumpet solo works on CD and premiered new concertos by Malcolm Arnold, Maxwell Davies, Macmillan, Muldowney, Souster, Schuller and Saxton amongst others.

From 2002-14 he was Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, after which he resumed his performing career. From 2015 -18 he was the Royal Society of Edinburgh vice-president for arts, humanities and social sciences. In 2011 he was awarded a CBE for services to Dance, Drama and Music. In 2021 he was awarded the Queen’s medal for music.

Presently, in addition to his board membership of the Scottish Funding Council, he is involved with St Andrews Music Participation (StAMP) which has started off over 500 beginners on brass instruments in Fife primary schools since 2020. He also convenes the Music Education Partnership Group, chairs the Glasgow Barons, a new orchestra based in Govan and is President of St Mary’s Music School.

A sometime composition student of Alan Bush and David Blake, John’s one-act Opera on the subject of dementia, Opsnizing Dad, was nominated for an Ivors Award in November 2022.

John’s reappointment runs from 4 November 2023 to 3 November 2026.

Register of interests