The Highland Council appoints new Chief Officer for Education – Secondary
19th June 2026
Kirsty MacPherson will join from East Renfrewshire Council.
Former head teacher previously worked in Dumfries and Galloway and Shetland.
“Every young person has the opportunity to achieve, thrive and realise their full potential.”
The Highland Council is delighted to announce that Kirsty MacPherson will be joining the team as Chief Officer Education - Secondary.
Kirsty brings a wealth of experience in strategic educational leadership, performance improvement and raising attainment across diverse school settings, with a strong track record of driving system-wide improvement and supporting high-quality outcomes for young people.
Currently employed by East Renfrewshire Council as Quality Improvement Manager, her work focuses on leading education performance, analysis and benchmarking, overseeing attainment and assessment systems, and supporting schools through targeted improvement activity.
She also leads professional learning and harnesses data to guide improvement and enhance educational outcomes.
Prior to this, she was Head Teacher in Dumfries and Galloway and Shetland Isles Councils, where she provided strategic leadership of large secondary and 3–18 settings, driving school improvement, curriculum development and staff development and strengthening partnerships with families and communities. Kirsty also worked for The Highland Council in a number of schools earlier in her career.
Kirsty MacPherson will replace Fiona Grant in the People Cluster under the leadership of Kate Lackie, Assistant Chief Executive.
As outlined in Highland Council’s budget plan for 2024/25, the new senior management structure was approved by the Council on 14 March 2024. It reconfigures the senior management team into two layers rather than three, bringing Highland Council into line with other benchmarked authorities.
Speaking about her appointment Kirsty said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Chief Officer - Secondary Education for Highland Council. Throughout my career I have been passionate about improving outcomes and life chances for young people and I am excited by the opportunity to work with Highland's school communities to build on their many strengths.
“I look forward to working closely with learners, families, staff and partners to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to achieve, thrive and realise their full potential."
Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban, said: “I am delighted that Highland will benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience that Kirsty brings with her from education roles across Scotland.
“I would like to congratulate Kirsty on her appointment and welcome her to The Highland Council, while also paying tribute to the fine contribution that Fiona Grant has made over so many years.”
Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner, said: “We are pleased to welcome Kirsty into this this key role in Highland. We have appointed someone who has a strong track record in education and who has demonstrated proven leadership credentials throughout her career. She also knows the Highlands well and, having spent much of her career working in schools in rural or island authorities, comes well equipped for the demands of our own unique region.
“I would also take the time to pay tribute to Fiona Grant for her outstanding service to Highland as Chief Officer for Secondary Education, and before that as a teacher and head teacher over many years.”
Chair of Highland Council’s Education Committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “With many projects, including new schools, to be completed in the coming years as part of the Highland Investment Plan, and a continuous drive to improve standards and develop skills for learning, life and work, it’s a positive time to be joining our education team. I congratulate Kirsty on her new role and welcome her to the council.
“Across our vast network of schools, including 29 secondary schools, we are seeing great efforts from officers, teachers and support staff to drive improvements in attainment and deliver the best outcomes for children and young people.
“Kirsty’s appointment will help strengthen the commitments outlined in our recent restructuring work in education, which is now delivering improved results.
“As Kirsty joins, I would also like to pay tribute to Fiona Grant for the service, insight and expertise she has given to the council in her different roles throughout all her years with the council. I wish her well for the future and I thank her for all the hard work she has devoted to Highland education.”
1 September 2024
Highland Council Appoints Five Chief Officers
Fiona Grant has been appointed as Chief Officer - Secondary Education. Fiona was previously Head Teacher of both Thurso High School and Wick High Schools. She is currently Head of Service for Secondary Education in Highland with responsibility delivery of education across 29 secondary schools.