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New board members appointed to Qualifications Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced the appointment of the chair and members of the inaugural Qualifications Scotland Board.

The new board will provide oversight and strategic direction to Scotland’s new awarding and accreditation body, Qualifications Scotland.

Joining the Qualifications Scotland Board will be:

Mr Gerry O’Neill

Head Teacher, St Ninian’s High School

Mr Ewan Carmichael

Policy and External Relations Manager, Quarriers

Mrs Sarah Higgins-Rollo

Vice Principal, Learning and Student Experience, Forth Valley College

Mr Jason Fitzgerald

Depute Head Teacher, Westhill Academy

Mrs Kirsty Berchtenbreiter

Director of People and Wellbeing, University of the West of Scotland

Mr Ian Hughes

Engagement Director for Scotland, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)

The new board members bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, and will join previous SQA Board members Seán Hagney, Dr Ken Thomson, Ronnie Erskine, Simon Hewitt, Caroline McFarlane, John Morton and Michelle Wailes who have transferred to the new organisation and will serve the remainder of their board appointment under Qualifications Scotland.

Speaking about the appointments of the new board members, chair Shirley Rogers CBE, said: “I welcome the appointment of our new board members. Their hands-on experience of delivering qualifications, their experience of achieving qualifications and their understanding of the importance of qualifications in providing Scotland with the skilled workforce it needs will be invaluable. This breadth of representation will help us align with the needs and expectations of those we serve.”

Qualifications Scotland – Governance Structure

Qualifications Scotland will have a robust governance structure embedded in the Education (Scotland) Act 2025. In addition to the new board, this includes:

  • New Interest Committees dedicated to learners and teachers and practitioners.

  • An Accreditation Committee independently appointed and governed, and separate from the main awarding functions.

  • A Strategic Advisory Council to advise on functions across education, skills, and the economic system.

Qualifications Scotland Board member biographies

Details of new board members are available on the Scottish Government’s Public Appointments website.