Five new appointments to SDS Board
Five new appointments to the Skills Development Scotland Board have been announced by Scottish Government.
Minister for Higher and Further Education Ben Macpherson confirmed that Stephen Davis, Zahra Hedges, Louisa Macdonell, Lisa Thomson, and Danny Gallacher will join the Board from next month, each serving a four-year term.
The appointments bring a wealth of experience across industry and education, and come as SDS continues with an ambitious programme of transformation.
Frank Mitchell, SDS Chair (pictured), said: “These appointments come at a pivotal moment for the organisation and for Scotland’s education and skills system as a whole.
“We are continuing to work with Scottish Government on the Tertiary Education and Training Bill whilst continuing to deliver a range of products and services to people and businesses across Scotland.
“Our Transform 27 programme has allowed us to focus resources on frontline delivery, whilst initiatives such as Workforce North are bringing together partners and identifying new ways of driving economic growth in our communities.
“These additions to the SDS Board will further bolster our drive towards a future operating model for the organisation, and I congratulate Stephen, Zahra, Louisa, Lisa and Danny on their appointments.”
Stephen Davis is an experienced senior manager and leader in further and higher education, with over 33 years in the sector. Currently CEO & Group Principal of United Colleges Group, Stephen has worked extensively with government and employer bodies on skills policy and structural change.
Zahra Hedges is a senior leader across business, charity, and public service, with a strong track record in strategy, system change, and organisational transformation. As Chief Executive of Winning Scotland, Zahra is committed to prevention, early intervention, and improving outcomes for young people and communities.
Louisa Macdonell is Scotland Director for Business in the Community (BITC), Just Transition Commissioner, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Edinburgh University Business School. Louisa specialises in supporting businesses with staff skills needs and sits on several boards and panels related to social investment and community benefit.
Lisa Thomson is a board member and people strategy leader with over 20 years’ experience in workforce strategy, organisational design, and leadership development. Lisa serves on the boards of Entrepreneurial Scotland and Prosper (SCDI), and is an ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland.
Danny Gallacher is a senior leader in the Private, Public, and Higher Education sectors, passionate about developing people and promoting apprenticeships. Danny is also a Member of the Scottish Funding Council Board and a University Governor.