Karen Reid, Chief Executive

In her role, Karen is focused on enabling transformation at pace across health and social care and the wider public sector, to enable improved outcomes and support local level delivery through strengthened national capability, infrastructure, education, and learning. Her leadership is centred on working collaboratively with NHS Boards, local government , academia, third sector and partners to support system reform, strengthen cross‑sector and multi‑agency working, and help drive closer integration between health, social care and wider public services, providing the national platforms, assurance and capability required to deliver safe, effective and sustainable services for communities across Scotland.

Karen was previously Chief Executive of NHS Education for Scotland, a role she held from February 2021 until 31 March 2026.

She is an Honorary Professor at the University of Dundee Business School and an Honorary Professor in Health Service Leadership and Education at the University of St Andrews. In addition, Karen serves as a Governor on The Health Foundation’s Board of Governors, having been appointed in August 2025.

Karen previously held the role of Chief Executive of Perth and Kinross Council, where she also acted as the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) portfolio holder for education. Her past roles have included Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate and interim Chief Executive of Education Scotland.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a trustee of The Gannochy Trust.