GDP: Tertiary Education Governance - Scotland and Wales

Overview

This online session is designed for both new and experienced governors in Scotland and Wales, and will support them in navigating, understanding and performing their role within evolving and complex tertiary education systems.

The session will examine the developing policy and regulatory environment and consider the implications for governors and governing bodies, with contributions from key sector stakeholders and regulators. Attendees will also have the opportunity to draw on expert perspectives and shared experience to support them in acting as effective and informed members of their governing body.

Discussion will cover the implications of recent elections for higher education governance, the necessary conditions and environment for effective governance in tertiary systems and the developing challenges and opportunities for institutions and their governing bodies.

GDP Tertiary Education Governance - Scotland and Wales

3 June 2026

T+Cs

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Who is the event for?

This session is aimed at governors in Scotland and Wales as we explore the evolving governance challenges in a tertiary system. Following national elections in both nations, this event will seek to consider what the outcome of these elections means for higher education and therefore governors and governing bodies. We will hear directly from policy makers and the regulatory bodies (SFC and Medr) in both nations to consider the developing regulatory environment they are setting out.

Learning Outcomes

Enhance your understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a governor in tertiary provision and improve your knowledge of the structure and responsibilities of the governing body
Develop an understanding of the wider policy environment for tertiary education provision across all UK nations and how this impacts on your role
Improve your skills as a governor, including transformation, turnaround and financial

Agenda

09:30am Welcome and Introductions - Aaron Porter, Associate Director (Governance), Advance HE

09:45am Q&A: Impact of the Elections on HE in Scotland and Wales - Claire McPherson, Director, Universities Scotland & Amanda Wilkinson, Director, Universities Wales

10:20am Setting the Conditions for Effective Governance - Emma Adamson, Chair, Bridgend College

10:50am Break

11:05am The Learner Voice

11:35am Understanding the Approach to Assurance - Jacqui Brasted, Deputy Director of Assurance and Outcomes, Scottish Funding Council

12:00pm Breakout discussions

12:30pm Close

Speakers

Aaron Porter

Associate Director (Governance)
,
Advance HE

Aaron leads on Advance HE governance activity through the delivery of our national Governor Development Programme which engages with around 900 governors across the UK on an annual basis. He has extensive experience leading reviews of over 25 governing boards. Aaron was previously President of the National Union of Students (NUS) and also chair of trustees for the organisation.

Claire McPherson

Director of Universities Scotland
,
Universities Scotland

Claire McPherson became Director of Universities Scotland on 25 March 2024, joining from the Scottish Government. Claire has worked in various roles in over a decade of service in the Scottish Government. Prior to the Scottish Government, Claire served as the Deputy Director of Policy at the Scottish Funding Council. She also has ten years in a variety of roles at the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.

Jacqui Brasted

Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes at the Scottish Funding Council (SFC)

Jacqui is Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes at the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), where she leads on institutional engagement, outcome agreements, learning and quality, skills and work-based learning, student interests, access, governance, fair work and the assurance and accountability framework. She was also previously an independent governor and Chair of the Audit Committee at Bath Spa University.

Prior to taking up her role at the SFC in March 2022, Jacqui ran her own consultancy, supporting higher education providers on governance, regulatory and other matters. Jacqui started her consultancy after working for 11 years at the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Office for Students in a variety of roles. In her spare time, Jacqui writes and presents a monthly quiz at her local pub and also enjoys long distance walking, having most recently completed the 630-mile South West Coast Path.

Delivery

This event will be delivered virtually through Zoom, with joining instructions sent out by the governance team two weeks before the day of the event.

Along with the joining instructions and links delegates will receive a copy of the programme, with finalised timings, topics, and speakers.

The event will be delivered as as a series of presentations, discussions and panels, with time after each for questions and comments.

For any enquiries regarding the event please contact the Programmes and Events Team at:

[email protected]