Announcement regarding Scotland's Chief Examiner

Monday 17 February 2025

Scotland’s Chief Examiner and Chief Executive of SQA is moving on from her current role to pursue new opportunities.

Fiona Robertson has led SQA since July 2019, and awarded and accredited qualifications for hundreds of thousands of learners across Scotland in schools, colleges and training providers. She joined SQA from the Scottish Government where she was Director of Learning.

She led SQA through the global pandemic and has delivered through a period of significant review and change in Scottish education. Under her leadership, SQA published the ‘Prospectus for Change’ in November, which sets out the roadmap for the establishment of Qualifications Scotland.

Fiona said:

“It has been a great privilege to lead SQA over the last five years. The development, delivery and oversight of assessment and qualifications is integral to the strength, performance and standing of Scottish education.

“I am greatly heartened by the breadth of achievement across Scotland, underpinned by the professionalism and passion of our educators and SQA staff.

“It is the right time to move on, professionally and personally, and I wish my colleagues every success as they continue to deliver and take forward work to establish Qualifications Scotland following the passage of the Education (Scotland) Bill.”

SQA Chair Shirley Rogers said:

"I am very grateful to Fiona Robertson for her leadership of SQA over the last five years and her wider contribution to the Scottish education system. On behalf of the Board, I wish her every success for the future."

A further announcement on Fiona Robertson’s successor on an interim basis will be made shortly.

An open competition will be held for the new Chief Executive of Qualifications Scotland in due course.