QAA appoints Isabel Donnelly as next permanent chief executive

Education expert Isabel Donnelly is to take up the role of chief executive at the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), succeeding interim leader Karl Leydecker.

Donnelly will depart the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) to join the teaching and learning standards watchdog, beginning early next year.

Her leadership will see her steward an organisation responsible for making sure students receive “the highest possible quality of education” in the UK and in transnational education (TNE) partnerships overseas.

She takes over as the QAA completes its 2023-27 strategy, focused on “excellence, independence and trust”.

Donnelly currently serves as pro vice-chancellor for education at LSTM, where she has worked for more than four years. Her previous roles include working as a research lead on higher education policy at the University of Cumbria and as director of quality and standards at Blackburn College.

She has supported the work of QAA previously as a reviewer, and as an expert reader for the UK Quality Code for Higher Education.

Announcing her appointment, the QAA described her “deep experience in areas including quality and standards, student experience, internationalisation and transnational education”.

Chair of the QAA board, Christian Brodie, said: “This was a highly competitive process, and Isabel stood out for her people-centric approach to leadership and her strong values, as well as her wealth of relevant expertise and experience. I am confident that under her leadership, QAA will continue to grow in influence and impact in the UK and globally.”

Donnelly said she was “beyond thrilled” by her appointment, adding: “The strength of UK tertiary education rests not only on what we offer, but on the confidence that students and partners can place in its quality and standards.

“QAA has an important part to play: working in partnership to protect standards, support enhancement and help the sector respond confidently to the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Leydecker, who has held the role temporarily since April following the resignation of six-year incumbent Vicki Stott, will continue to serve until Donnelly assumes the post. 

georgia.luckhurst@timeshighereducation.com