Jackie Killeen has been appointed the British Council Scotland’s new Director and will join in May 2016.
Killeen will join British Council Scotland from the Big Lottery Fund where she is responsible for all the Fund's work in Scotland as Director. As well as core Lottery programmes, she has led teams delivering programmes including the Coastal Communities Fund for UK Government and Scottish Land Fund for the Scottish Government, and currently is leading the development of a new strategic direction for the Fund's International Funding portfolio. Previously she worked in regeneration in Glasgow, and in the arts for Scottish Opera. She has been involved with a number of charities in voluntary roles, and is a Board member of arts charity Culture Republic. "I am really looking forward to taking up this new position, with an organisation that plays such a valuable role in building and strengthening understanding and good relations between countries,” commented Jackie Killeen. “Working across the spheres of education, culture and society, the British Council makes a strong contribution in Scotland, and I hope to be able to build on and further develop its impact."
Working with senior colleagues across the organisation, Killeen will be responsible for leading and increasing the British Council's work and impact in and for Scotland, and thereby enhancing the organisation's reputation and profile in terms of policy development. A key part of this role will also be sustaining the British Council's current network of relationships across Scotland and globally as well as diversifying stakeholder relationships, partnerships and income.
"Jacqueline's wealth of knowledge and experience will add even greater value and impact to the work British Council Scotland is already delivering," added Hilary Cross, Director Strategy and Engagement, British Council. "And her long-standing interest in international relations and development as her belief in the importance of building connections between people couldn't be a better match to the values of the British Council."
Killeen succeeds Dr Lloyd Anderson, the current Director of British Council Scotland.