Universities Scotland is delighted to appoint Claire McPherson to the role of Director.
Ms McPherson will take up the role on 25 March 2024; succeeding Alastair Sim, who has been Director of the body which represents Scotland’s 19 universities and higher education institutions, since 2009.
Claire brings a wealth of experience shaping and influencing public policy at senior levels within the Scottish Government. Her career in the Scottish Government includes strategic and policy roles in the First Ministers’ Policy and Delivery Unit, leading cross government work on Public Service Reform and most recently as Deputy Director for Population and Migration. This gives her a deep insight into the critical role universities play across a broad range of government policy priorities. Claire was also Deputy Director Policy at the Scottish Funding Council for two years at a key time during the COVID-19 pandemic and was instrumental in the Council’s policy response, including the Council’s strategic review of the coherence and sustainability of higher education.
Claire becomes Director of Universities Scotland at a strategically important time for the higher education sector. Universities face a volatile financial landscape and several policy challenges ahead. Universities Scotland’s policy and advocacy role, providing a strong, united voice for the sector, will be vital to ensuring the continued international success of our universities and the significant contribution they make to economic growth and social justice within Scotland.
