The CLD Standards Council is pleased to announced the appointment of Pauline Radcliffe as its new Chair, this appointment marks a significant step for the organisation as it continues to promote, and maintain, high quality practice standards and practice competence across community learning and development in Scotland. As the organisation enters its 18th year, Pauline’s appointment as the first female to hold the position of Independent Chair is a further cause for celebration.
Pauline is a senior Scottish education leader with extensive experience across post 16 learning, skills, and social justice, having worked for over 30 years to enable and deliver improved outcomes for communities, learners and employers and the stakeholders who serve them. Pauline served as Chief Executive of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Partnership from December 2022 to December 2025. Whilst there Pauline led national work on lifelong learning pathways, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and strengthening progression and transitions between community based learning and FE/HE with a strong focus on parity of esteem and equity of access. She has previously worked as a policy adviser for the Scottish Government, operated as Company Secretary for several public and third sector bodies, worked as a Carnegie UK Associate and operated her own consultancy business for government, public and third sector organisations focused on brokering effective cooperation between the public sector and community-led development initiatives. Alongside non-executive roles, Pauline currently works as an independent consultant, contributing public policy advice, strategy development and evaluative research, across the education and place based development sectors. In her new role, Pauline will lead the CLD Standards Council’s strategic direction, strengthen partnerships across the sector and champion high professional standards for practitioners.
Speaking after the appointment was confirmed, Pauline said she was honoured to take on the position and looked forward to working with the CLD Standards Council committee members, Education Scotland, Scottish Government and other CLD stakeholders to take forward the recommendations of the Learning. For All. For Life report around the CLD workforce and to strengthen the governance and resourcing position of the CLD Standards Council within the structures of the reformed Education Scotland.
Lindsey Johnson, Vice-Chair of the CLD Standards Council, welcomed the appointment stating that it had been a pleasure to be part of the recruitment panel that appointed Pauline to the position and as Pauline is a well-known, respected and collaborative leader in the sector, Lindsey was looking forward to working alongside Pauline and the members of the executive committee to continue championing professional CLD practice and its role within the education and social justice landscapes.