The Scottish Government has announced that a new appointee to the role of Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority will also lead the transition to a new qualifications body.
The successful candidate will take the role of SQA chair initially, with this coming at the beginning of September, with David Middleton ending his current term of appointment at the end of August.
The new qualifications body will be discussed through the Education (Scotland) Bill and, as long as it gains approval from Parliament, is expected to be operational by autumn 2024. The incoming Chair of the SQA will transfer their role to the new body then it becomes operational.
Shirley-Anne Summerville, Education Secretary, said:
“Visionary and resilient leadership is essential for the SQA and its successor organisation. It is my intention that the new Chair of the SQA will transfer to become Chair of the new body. This approach will provide new leadership during the crucial transition period, allowing the new qualifications body to take full advantage of the changes in culture and governance necessitated by the Scottish Government’s education reform programme.
“The reforms will also be helped by the National Discussion, the findings of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment and the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape.
“I am very grateful to David Middleton for the skills, experience and expertise he has brought to his role as SQA Chair. I have valued his leadership of the SQA’s board.”
It is anticipated that the role is expected to be advertised in May and the incoming Chair will be appointed by way of an open, merit-based process.
