Appointed: October 2024
Liz has more than 35 years’ experience as a public sector leader in Whitehall and Edinburgh. Her last executive role was as Director General for Economy for the Scottish Government, leading on all aspects of the economy and the drive to net zero in Scotland and with oversight of numerous arm-length bodies including Scottish regulators. The first part of Liz’s career was in international development, with 20 years at the UK Department for International Development including senior roles in policy and finance.
Liz is an experienced chair and non-executive director. She chaired the shadow Board for the Scottish National Investment Bank prior to formal launch, as well as the Scottish Government Economy Board. Liz left the civil service at the beginning of 2022 to develop her portfolio of non-executive and advisory roles. She is Chair of the North Sea Transition Authority, a Commissioner with the UK Independent Commission for Aid Impact, a NED with the Net Zero Technology Centre, co-Chairs the David Hume Institute and is a Trustee with NESTA. She is an Honorary Professor at the Adam Smith Business School, Glasgow University. Liz is passionate about the possibility of positive change; making a difference to countries, societies, businesses and organisations is what motivates her. All of her working life has been about integrating economic, social and environmental change to secure better outcomes for people, place and planet