Karen Reid
Karen Reid took up the position of Executive Board Member at NHS Education for Scotland (NES) following her appointment as Chief Executive on 1 February 2021. 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 to her NES leadership role, 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 from 2018, where she also acted as the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) portfolio holder for education. Her past roles have included the Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate and the interim Chief Executive of Education Scotland.
She has contributed extensively to national education and governance through roles including member of the University Court at the University of Dundee, Chair of the University’s Audit & Risk Committee, and member of the Scottish Education Council and the COVID Education Recovery Group. During her tenure at the Care Inspectorate, she sat on the General Medical Council Scotland Advisory Group.
Karen is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a trustee of The Gannochy Trust. She holds qualifications in accountancy and communications/public relations, along with formal certification in international regulation, coaching, and mediation.
