The 15-person strong steering group tasked with securing a sustainable and successful future for Scotland’s universities, through the Future Framework, has been announced today (Monday, 16 February).
Scotland’s first ever holistic review of university funding since devolution was announced in late December as a joint initiative by Scottish Government and Universities Scotland. Today, the Co-Conveners and full membership of the Steering Group is announced, which follows the Group’s first meeting at the end of January. The Steering Group will drive the work of the Framework and will be the decision-making body, working to present a series of options to the next Government and Parliament in the late autumn.
The Steering Group includes leaders from within universities, the civil service, student and staff trade unions as well as authoritative voices from outside the sector, from key business and industry sectors and experts in economic and public policy in Scotland and internationally.
The Framework is Co-Convened by both the Scottish Government and Universities Scotland, reflecting the co-ownership of the initiative:
- Professor Emerita Andrea Nolan has held leadership positions in both ancient and modern universities in Scotland, including most latterly as Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University until December 2024. Professor Nolan was elected by her peers to serve two terms as Universities Scotland’s Convener between 2016 and 2020.
- Neil Rennick is Director General, Education and Justice within the Scottish Government. He has previously served as Executive Director for the Scottish Courts Service and has held a variety of roles within the Civil Service.
The composition of the Framework’s Steering Group reflects the diversity of universities’ stakeholders, the desire to invite different perspectives, constructive challenge and bold thinking as the Framework looks to test ideas and new policy and funding solutions for Scotland’s universities with a 20-year horizon. The Framework will operate within the parameters of a publicly funded model for the undergraduate education for Scottish-domiciled students.
Commenting on her Co-Convenership role and the wider composition of the Framework’s Steering Group, Professor Emerita Andrea Nolan, said:
“The task we are taking on, to secure the future of our universities for the next generation, is not easy by any means, or it would not still be a problem in need of a solution. However, there is a great opportunity, one that we are keen to seize, to make recommendations so that the next Scottish Government has a ready-made set of options that will deliver sustainability and success for our universities.
“I am joined in this task by a hugely impressive group of people, prepared to give their time, energy and expertise to work together to find a way forward that is future-proofed. Already, the shared sense of purpose we have to support one of Scotland’s national assets is incredibly motivating. We won’t always agree, but that adds to the strength and integrity of the process, so that when Government and Parliament receive the end result, they can take full confidence in it.”
In commissioning the work, Higher and Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson has chosen not to sit on the Steering Group but instead has asked senior civil servants to serve on the body, in order for it to be politically neutral in its deliberations. The Scottish Government will receive the recommendations and options in the autumn, when they will also be made public.
Mr Macpherson MSP, said:
“Scotland’s universities are outstanding and, in a number of ways, the sector is genuinely world class. However, we must make sure that we continue to advance and adapt, and consider what our universities, economy, society and learners will require in the next quarter of this century and beyond. That’s why we have commissioned this work, to look creatively, innovatively and self-critically at how we deliver higher education in the future in Scotland, so that we can continue to improve our higher education sector, make sure it is sustainable, and build on our success in a dynamic and competitive global context.
“We are undertaking this review while also emphasising our steadfast commitment to preserving free tuition for Scottish undergraduates, paid for by public funding as a collective investment in the common good of our country and the next generation.”
The voice of employers, business and industry is a vital element of the Framework’s design as the scope includes undergraduate education, wider skills development, research and innovation, all of which are vital to support Scotland’s economic growth.
Sandy Begbie CBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise said:
“Scotland’s universities are a global asset for our country. It is really important that in order to attract investment into Scotland that we ensure our universities continue to compete globally and continue to support economic growth. We are all aware that the current financial position of many universities is unsustainable which makes this review all the more important. It is important this review is carried out with pace and that it brings in truly radical thinking to ensure there are long-term solutions to ensure the future sustainability of our university sector. Nothing should be off the table.
“We have a world class university sector that acts as a key attraction for investment and firms to come to Scotland. This review must ensure the sector continues to be world leading well into the future.”
Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, and Steering Group member said:
“The situation universities are in is not financially sustainable. It’s good to see a supported cross-party effort to come up with recommendations that can put them on a more sustainable path. It’s a very important piece of work.”
University staff are represented on the Steering Group by both the University and College Union Scotland and Unite the Union and students are represented by NUS Scotland.
Speaking to her participation in the Framework, Mary Senior, Scotland Official for the University and College Union said:
“Universities in Scotland are in crisis, primarily a funding crisis. The people in the sector, the students and work force are at the front-end of that crisis, through cuts to courses and jobs, excessive workloads, and high levels of job insecurity and precarity for university staff.
“It’s vital that we have this time to review the sector to look at what we want the sector to deliver and provide the vital resources. We are hoping that this is going deliver sustainable and sufficient public funding for the sector so that it can deliver for students, for the workforce, for the economy, the public sector and society at large.”
The Steering Group will work in three phases, throughout the period of the May 2026 election, and present a concluding report to the next Scottish Government and Parliament in late autumn 2026.
Notes:
Full membership;
- Professor Emerita Andrea Nolan, Co-Convener.
- Neil Rennick, Director-General Education and Justice, Scottish Government and Co-Convener.
- Sandy Begbie CBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Financial Enterprise.
- Stuart Greif, Deputy Director Governance and Assurance Division, Scottish Government.
- Aidan Grisewood, Director Jobs and Wellbeing Economy, Scottish Government.
- Professor Ellen Hazelkorn, Joint Managing Partner, BH Associates education consultants.
- Professor Penny Macbeth, Director and Principal, Glasgow School of Art.
- Alastair MacColl, Chair of Court, University of the Highlands and Islands.
- Alison MacLean, Regional Coordinating Officer, Unite the Union.
- Claire McPherson, Director, Universities Scotland.
- Professor Andy Schofield, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow.
- Mary Senior, Scotland Official, University and College Union.
- Sai Shraddha S Viswanathan, President, National Union of Students Scotland.
- Professor Mairi Spowage, Professor of Practice and Director, Fraser of Allander Institute.
- David Whitehouse, Chief Executive, Offshore Energies UK.
Further information:
Susannah Lane, Head of Public Affairs, Universities Scotland. M: 07967116024