Vicki Stott to Step Down as Chief Executive of QAA

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) announces that Vicki Stott will be stepping down from her role as Chief Executive after more than six years with the organisation and over four years as its Chief Executive.

Vicki joined QAA in 2019 and has led the Agency through a period of profound change in UK higher education, overseeing significant strategic and structural transformation, the successful delivery of major new contracts, and the repositioning of QAA on a more sustainable long‑term footing.

Professor Karl Leydecker, former Senior Vice-Principal at the University of Aberdeen and a member of the QAA Board since 2022, has been appointed to act as interim CEO, supported by the wider senior team. An open recruitment process for the permanent role will follow in due course. Professor Leydecker has resigned his position on the Board in order to take up the interim executive position.  

Vicki Stott said:

"Leading QAA has been an enormous privilege. Since 2019 we have achieved a great deal together in the face of considerable external pressures – from reshaping our operating model and strengthening our international work, to securing important new contracts and ensuring that QAA continues to play a vital role in safeguarding co-created standards and in enhancing quality. I am immensely proud of what colleagues across the Agency have accomplished, and of the way we have worked with our partners and stakeholders through a challenging period for the sector.

"We have put in place the foundations for QAA to be sustainable and impactful in the years ahead. Having reached that point, the time now feels right for me to step aside and allow new leadership to take the Agency into its next phase. I will continue to watch QAA's progress with huge interest and goodwill."

Christian Brodie, Chair of the QAA Board, said:

"Vicki has served QAA with great distinction over seven years, leading it through a complex and challenging time in higher education, and I know she will be greatly missed by the Agency. We respect her decision and, and I know I speak for the Board and the staff of QAA in wishing her the very best for the future. I am grateful to Karl Leydecker for agreeing to serve as interim CEO until we appoint a permanent successor."

Karl Leydecker, interim CEO of QAA, said:

"Vicki's departure is a sad moment for all at QAA, and we all wish her well. It's an honour for me to join the very capable executive team at a point where the Agency is playing a vital role throughout all four nations of the UK and globally, and as we build towards the excellent work planned in the next academic year."