Claire McPherson to be the next Director of Universities Scotland

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. 

Commenting on her appointment, Claire McPherson said

Universities Scotland’s’ Convener, Professor Iain Gillespie said:

Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK said:

Claire lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two children. She is a law graduate from the University of Glasgow.  She spent the early part of her civil service career in London, before returning to Scotland in 2013 to join the Scottish Government.

Notes:

• Photograph of Claire McPherson attached for use.
• Universities Scotland represents all 19 of Scotland’s universities and higher education institutions and advocates on institutions’ behalf on devolved and some reserved funding and policy matters with the Scottish and UK Governments, Parliaments, and stakeholders.
• Universities Scotland is part of the Universities UK family, working autonomously to represent its members in a largely devolved landscape for higher education. 
• www.universities-scotland.ac.uk