Kate Richards elected new Chair of SRUC Board
A past president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has been elected as the new Chair of SRUC.
Following an interview process, Dr Kate Richards faced two other candidates in an election among staff, students and the governing body, winning 48 per cent of the vote.
She will now become only the second woman to assume the position, following Linda Hanna’s tenure from 2021 to 2025.
After beginning her career as a farm vet, Dr Richards became a farm animal vet advisor in the private sector before taking up a similar position with Defra.
She has also held senior management and leadership roles at HMRC, the Cabinet Office and the Scotland Office, while she has also served on several boards, including SRUC, SAC Commercial, the Moredun Research Institute and Food Standards Scotland. She was President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association in 2024-25 and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by SRUC in 2024.
Dr Richards said: “I am absolutely delighted to be elected Chair of SRUC and would like to thank everyone for their support. It is such a great organisation with committed and dedicated staff and students. I look forward to working with the Board, visiting campuses and sites across Scotland to meet staff in their diverse roles and the students. We are in times of exceptional change, and I believe SRUC has the talent, momentum and ambition to deliver its new strategy 2026 - 2031, driving a sustainable future for us all.”
Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said: “On behalf of everyone at SRUC, I would like to congratulate Kate on being elected to this prestigious role. Kate brings with her a huge amount of invaluable experience has been a fantastic supporter of the organisation over the years. This a hugely exciting time for SRUC and I look forward to working with Kate as we deliver our new five-year strategy. I would also like to express my thanks to David Bell, who has done an excellent job as Interim Chair over the past six months.”
Dr Richards will chair her first meeting of the SRUC Board on 24 June.
Posted by SRUC on 10/04/2026
