New member of the SSERC Board of Directors and Trustees

Helena Macormac is Deputy General Secretary of the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS), where she works closely with primary school leaders across all 32 Scottish local authorities. In this role she plays a key part in AHDS’s policy and advocacy work, contributes to national negotiations and working groups, and helps support members to navigate issues such as workload, staffing, ASN and curriculum reform. She is closely involved in representing school leaders’ perspectives to Scottish Government, COSLA and other partners, and in helping to turn national developments into practical guidance and support for schools.

Helena brings over a decade of prior senior trade union leadership experience in school leader unions in the UK and internationally, including as National Secretary for Northern Ireland and International Secretary at the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT). She has also served as a Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissioner and has extensive experience in governance, policy development and evidence‑based advocacy. Across her career she has maintained a strong focus on ensuring that school leaders’ voices shape system‑level decisions in education and beyond.

Outside of work, Helena is a mum to three girls and enjoys volunteering in her community, travelling, and taking part in creative and cultural activities.