03 August 2017
Chair appointed to Scottish Qualifications Authority board
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney, today announced the appointment of David Middleton as chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) board. Mr Swinney said:
“Education is the key to unlocking the potential of Scotland’s young people and the SQA plays a vital role this process by working with schools and others to deliver qualifications and assessments. David Middleton has a wide range of experience at a senior level whichis ideally suited to ensuring the organisation’s future success. I look forward to working with him in our efforts to create a world-class education system for Scotland.”
David Middleton
After graduating from Glasgow University David joined The Scottish Office, now the Scottish Government. Since devolution he has held senior positions covering Local Government and Agriculture. From 2007-09 he was head of the Scotland Office. More recently from 2009 to 2015 he was Chief Executive of Transport Scotland. This involved strategic oversight of the biggest programme of transport infrastructure projects in a generation including the Borders Railway and the Queensferry Crossing. He was awarded the CBE for services to Transport in Scotland in January 2015.
APPOINTMENT
This appointment will be for four years and will run from 1 September 2017 to 31August 2021.
This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
REMUNERATION
This appointment is part time and attracts a remuneration of £25,128 for a time commitment of 72 days per year.
OTHER MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
David Middleton does 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.
Mr Middleton has not upheld any political activity within the last five years.
BACKGROUND
The SQA works in partnership with schools, colleges, universities and training organisations to develop and deliver SQA qualifications and assessments. Around 15,000 teaching professionals and industry specialists support the SQA’s operations annually, helping to ensure that SQA qualifications accurately reflect learners’ knowledge and skills and provide secure routes to jobs or further study.
The SQA also awards a range of other qualifications, including customised awards to meet the needs of individual companies and organisations. In addition, the SQA provides advice, support and services, such as expertise in assessment, that enable organisations to succeed in meeting a wide range of educational and workforce development challenges.
Internationally the SQA provides a range of qualifications including National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas, National Progression Awards, Professional Development Awards and Scottish Vocational Qualifications. The SQA also provides Consultancy Services which help establish educational and training supply chains where they don’t exist or require further development. This work, based on best practice, has been carried out with governments and agencies around the world.
The final term of appointment of the current SQA Chair, Graham Houston, will end on 31August 2017. Following his success in an open competition carried out under the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland’s Code of Practice for Ministerial appointments, David Middleton will succeed him on 1 September 2017.