Public appointment: Members appointed to the Scottish Funding Council

The Minister for Higher and Further Education and; Minister for Veterans today announced the appointment of Cara Aitchison, Richard Armour, Linda Hanna, Kate Lander and Alison Nicolson as Members of the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Members

Professor Cara Aitchison has significant experience of working in education across the UK and internationally. She brings particular expertise in leadership of higher education strategy, culture and finance and equality, inclusion, and widening participation. Cara served as a university Vice-Chancellor for over a decade in Plymouth and Cardiff, most recently leading the growth and transformation of Cardiff Metropolitan University from 2016 to 2024. Prior to becoming Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth Marjon University in 2013, Cara was a Professor and Head of Moray House School of Education at the University of Edinburgh. A Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Royal Geographical Society, Learned Society of Wales, and the Higher Education Academy, she is currently a member of the Boards of Visit Scotland, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Arts University Plymouth.

Dr Richard Armour brings to SFC a lifetime of experience in the management and oversight of higher education institutions and systems across the world, including in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia as well as the UK. A graduate of the universities of Glasgow, London and the Open University, his career has embraced leadership positions in universities and the research and funding councils which oversee them. His most recent appointments include the Council of Research England and Secretary General of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee.

Linda Hanna is an experienced leader and non-executive bringing experience of innovation, economic and regional development as well as industry partnerships to the SFC. She was elected and appointed Chair of Scotland’s Rural College in April 2022. Linda is a Strategic Adviser to University of Glasgow advising the Vice Principal for Innovation and Economic Development on new opportunities and implementation of key projects and partnerships, particularly those focused on entrepreneurship and the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District. She was a member of the Executive Team at Scottish Enterprise for almost 10 years until 2022, leading regional, national and international teams, helping accelerate strategic investment in different parts of Scotland and industries such as high-value manufacturing, life sciences, food and drink, enabling technology and the low-carbon economy. Linda is a graduate of the University of Glasgow and was awarded an MBE in 2023 for services to business.

Kate Lander spent her extensive career spanning education and financial services, initially qualifying as an accountant, then as a Charter Financial Analyst. Her roles saw her teaching finance across the UK and globally, before running a fixed income desk for a global bank. After leaving banking, Kate returned to education in a number of leadership roles at Fitch Learning, Learning Technologies Group and more recently as CEO of Ivy House. She also served for 6 years on the Board, and as Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee, for the Office for Students between 2017 and 2023.

Alison Nicolson is a senior leader and qualified accountant with extensive experience in strategic and functional leadership and a strong focus on delivery within the financial services sector. She has held a number of leadership positions at Scottish Widows since 2015 after previously working for the Bank of Scotland and KPMG.  Alison has been a trustee of a number of small charities and is a supporter of volunteering, particularly in supporting people with disabilities through her role as Non-Executive Director for the Independent Living Fund.

Appointment

These appointments will be for four years and will run from 29 June 2024 to 28 June 2028.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £359.65 for a time commitment of 36 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Cara Aitchison is a member of the Board of Visit Scotland, for which she receives remuneration of £8,544 per annum, for a time commitment of two days per month. She is also a member of the Board of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This role is unremunerated and has a time commitment of two days per month.

Alison Nicolson is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Independent Living Fund, for which she receives remuneration of £190 per day, for a time commitment of one day per month.

Richard Armour, Linda Hanna and Kate Lander do not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Cara Aitchison, Richard Armour, Linda Hanna, Kate Lander and Alison Nicolson have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Funding Council is the non-departmental public body responsible for Scotland's further and higher education institutions, including its 24 colleges and 19 universities. The SFC is helping make Scotland the best place in the world to educate, to research and to innovate. Investing around £1.9 billion of public money each year, SFC’s funding enables Scotland’s colleges and universities to provide life-changing opportunities for over half a million people.