INVERCLYDE Council’s education director is leaving to lead Scotland’s schools watchdog.
Corporate director of education, communities and organisational development,
Ruth Binks, who has been with the local authority for 11 years, will step down in March to become His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland.
Ruth worked as a professional musician before becoming a classroom teacher and head teacher. She joined Inverclyde Council in 2015 as head of education before being appointed as corporate director in 2018.
She is on the National Programme Board for the Scottish Attainment Challenge and chairs the Schools Advisory Board for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Ruth said: “It has been a real privilege to work in Inverclyde as part of a team who are fully committed to getting the very best for the area and I will miss the area and the people hugely.
“My ever-widening remit over the years has allowed me to work closely with talented colleagues and volunteers from different disciplines to successfully deliver a variety of different projects.
“Everything we have delivered has been down to teamwork and people working in partnership.
“I give heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in these teams and thank you to everyone for your support over the years.
“It is no secret that my passion for achieving excellence and reducing inequalities for our young people is at the heart of everything I do.
“That’s why I’m excited to be taking on this new role of chief inspector of education which will allow me to continue to pursue this passion, striving to get the very best for every young person regardless of their background.”
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “Ruth has been an excellent corporate director and it has been a joy for me to work so closely with her over the years.
“She has achieved so much individually and collectively alongside her dedicated and hard-working teams to improve the lives of children, young people, and families across Inverclyde.
“Above all else, Ruth is a thoroughly decent person and cares deeply about her staff and the people of Inverclyde.
“It’s testament to Ruth as a person and as a professional that she has been appointed as HM Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland and entrusted with this important role to improve our country’s education system.
“I’m sure everyone will join me in thanking Ruth for her service to Inverclyde and wishing her continued success in her new role.”
The new office of HM Chief Inspector of Education Scotland includes enhanced independence, as part of the provisions of the Education (Scotland) Act, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament last year.
Her appointment was announced today, Wednesday 21 January 2026, at the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Ruth has a depth of knowledge of Scottish education, both in the classroom and in a strategic leadership capacity.
“I’m confident that she brings the right experience to this key role. The new inspectorate body will have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections.
“The office is at the heart of the education reform programme this government is driving forward.
“This appointment will be pivotal in our efforts to drive improvement across Scotland’s education and skills system and to bring about the changes required to meet the needs of future generations of young people.”
Before joining Inverclyde Council, Ruth played flute and piccolo with some of the country’s most celebrated orchestras and travelled around the world.
She began her education career in the Highlands, teaching in primary schools from 1998 to 2004.
She subsequently served as head teacher at Croy Primary School and Central Primary School until 2011, before taking on roles as a quality improvement officer and later as quality improvement manager within Highland Council’s education department.
