Karen Watt has been appointed chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which is responsible for allocating public funds to colleges and universities. 

Ms Watt will take up her new role on 14 January 2019. She is currently director of external affairs at the Scottish government, and played a leading role in the development of its response to the EU referendum and Scotland’s new international communication and marketing campaign, Scotland is Now. 

She set up and became the first chief executive of the Scottish Housing Regulator, and also previously held the position of principal private secretary to the first minister and head of ministerial offices. 

‘Mission and ambition’

Ms Watt said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the mission and ambition to shape the future of learning, skills, research and innovation in Scotland. I firmly believe that the SFC can help deliver transformational change and invest to secure sustainable, inclusive economic prosperity. I am looking forward to taking on this new challenge.”

Minister for further education, higher education and science, Richard Lochhead, said: “Karen brings a wealth of valuable skills and experience, and I look forward to working closely with her and the SFC board to deliver excellence, wider access and high attainment in our colleges and universities.”

SFC chair Mike Cantlay said: “We are delighted to welcome Karen to the organisation. Karen joins the SFC at an exciting time, as we work with our colleagues on the strategic board to position the further and higher education sectors at the heart of Scotland’s economic future. Her breadth of experience, both within Scotland but also on the international stage, will be pivotal to sustaining and developing a coherent and connected system of world-class further and higher education for Scotland.”