Dr Richard Armour

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.

Register of interests

1.  Remunerated directorships.

None.

2.  Remunerated employment, office, profession or other activity.

Owner and sole shareholder in Armour & Associates Ltd, a company registered in Hong Kong. No clients in the UK.

3.  Clients connected with the further and/or higher education sector or other aspects of the Council’s business.

None in UK.

4.  Significant gifts or hospitality arising from Board or Committee membership.  (To be reported as soon as reasonably practical).

None.

5. Significant shareholdings in a public company where the value is more than 1% of the total issued share value of the company.

Scottish Mortgage Trust; GSK; JP Morgan Global Growth and Income Trust; BHP; HSBC; BP; Shell, Scottish American Investment Trust; SSE; Schroder Oriental Income Trust; British Aerospace; Legal and General; Merchants Trust; City of London Trust, Edinburgh Investment Trust.

6.  Significant shareholdings in a private company which might give rise to a conflict of interest or trust.

None.

7.  Public activity in support of a political party within the previous five years.

None.

8.  Miscellaneous, for example, unremunerated posts, honorary positions and other connections which might give rise to a conflict of interest or trust.

Until 29 June 2024, a member of Court of Heriot Watt University. Resigned immediately upon being appointed to SFC.

9.  Relevant and known interests of spouse, partner and close family.

None.