The new chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has been announced.
Shirley Rogers will become the first female chair of the SQA, which is due to be replaced by a new qualifications body in the coming years.
Ms Rogers’ previous roles include director of performance, delivery and resilience at the Scottish government, chief people officer at NHS Scotland for a decade and vice-chair of Borders College’s board of management.
Her appointment to the SQA will run from Friday 1 December until 30 November 2027 or, the Scottish government said in its official announcement online, “until the SQA is replaced by the new qualifications body”.
The government added: “The appointment to the SQA is part time and attracts a remuneration of £373.92 per day for a time commitment of 72 days per financial year.”
Ms Rogers “will be tasked with overseeing the transition to a new body”, the government said.
In announcing Ms Rogers, the government stated: “The appointment will provide new leadership and direction at the SQA and marks a key milestone in the process to reform Scotland’s education system.”
First female SQA chair
Education secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “I’m pleased to welcome Shirley Rogers into post as the first female chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and look forward to working closely with her. This appointment is a vital step forward in our process to reform Scotland’s education system, as we look to deliver change in practice and culture at the SQA and its replacement body.
“I’ve been clear that reform is a process, and that work has already started to embed system and culture change that improves outcomes for young people, whilst supporting school staff.”
Ms Gilruth thanked current chair David Middleton “for his hard work and professionalism” and wished him “the very best for the future”.
Ms Rogers said: “I am delighted to be joining the SQA as chair. I look forward to working with the organisation and its stakeholders to achieve the very best that we can for students, parents, teachers and employers.”
Ms Rogers is already chair of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency, receiving £240 per day for 10 to 15 days a year. Before joining the Scottish government, she worked for NHS Scotland, the police service and in the private sector.
She lives in Peebles and is a graduate of Newcastle University, holding a BA (Hons) and a master’s degree. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and in 2020 was awarded the HPMA (Healthcare People Management Association) lifetime achievement award for people management.
