Workforce for the Future

Chris joined Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in 2012 and was appointed as Director of Regional Skills Planning and Sector Development in 2021. He leads the Regional Skills Planning, Sector Development and Evidence and Impact teams who all play a central role in ensuring that the skills investment in Scotland is informed by a strong evidence base and that provision is aligned with the need of employers.

He has 25 years’ experience in economic development, labour market and skills policy. Prior to joining SDS he was Director of SLIMs – a labour market observatory - and worked for a number of UK and International consultancies.

A graduate of the University of Strathclyde, Chris has previously held Board member positions with the Economic Development Association of Scotland (EDAS) and the South of Scotland Economic Partnership and is currently a member of the South of Scotland and Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnerships.

James is the former Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink and NFU Scotland.
He now runs his own business provides advisory services to government, industry organisations and commercial businesses, in particular in the area of strategic economic development.

In 11 years as CEO at Scotland Food & Drink (SF&D), James co-ordinated an industry and government collaboration to drive forward a growth strategy for the £15 billion Scottish food and drink sector.

James has also sat on the Scottish Government’s national resilience group and co-chaired, with the Cabinet Secretary, a Food Security Taskforce.

James has a number of non-executive director roles, including being on the boards of the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Abbey Group, working to grow the UK and Irish tourism industries.

In 2022, James was appointed by Scottish Ministers to lead an independent review of Scotland’s £3.5 billion skills system. He presented proposals for reform in 2023 which have been broadly accepted by Scottish Government. He is an ongoing advocate for reform of Scotland’s skills and education system.

Principal and Chief Executive

Kenny MacInnes was appointed as Forth Valley College’s new Principal and Chief Executive on Monday 1 May 2023.

Kenny started his career at 16 as former EITB (NASEC) (now ECITB) Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at Falkirk College of Technology – which later became Forth Valley College.

Upon completing his apprenticeship Kenny worked within the petro-chemical, manufacturing and aero-repair industries before he joined the College as a lecturer in 2007. His notable skills and professionalism saw him rise quickly through the ranks at Forth Valley College, moving on to become a Curriculum Manager in 2012, Head of Department in 2014, Director of Curriculum in 2018, Vice Principal in 2019 and Principal in 2023.

Kenny has a degree in Computer Aided Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University, TQFE Post Graduate and two Masters Degrees in Education Leadership and Social Research from Dundee University and Stirling University respectively.

Kenny was also an experienced Associate Assessor with Education Scotland since 2014 and he was responsible for the delivery of the College’s STEM strategy as Director of Curriculum in Engineering and Science, before taking on the position of Vice Principal and now Principal.

Kenny is married with three children. He is a keen musician and mountain biker.

Louise Hayward is Professor Emerita of Educational Assessment and Innovation (University of Glasgow) and Honorary Professor at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. Originally an English teacher, Louise undertakes research to improve assessment policy and practice by working with learners and teachers, educational professionals and users of assessment evidence, employers, colleges, universities and the voluntary sector. She was a member of the internationally renowned Assessment Reform Group and has published widely on Assessment and Processes of Change.

In 2018, Louise founded the International Educational Assessment Network, a group of researchers and policy makers from twelve nations across four continents who collaborate to tackle shared, intransigent assessment challenges. Louise has worked with OECD on the Learning 2030 programme and with UNESCO on Assessment in STEM education. In 2021, she chaired an Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment in England (A New ERA: equitable, reliable assessment, NEU, 2022). Most recently she chaired the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment in Scotland where ADES played a key role. The report, ‘It’s Our Future’ was published in June 2023 and is currently with the Cabinet Secretary.