Prior (pictured) was previously director of surveys, data and analysis at NatCen, a role she has held since 2018.

Director of surveys, data and analysis incorporated working across household, longitudinal, health and biomedical surveys, health and social care policy research and the Scottish Centre for Social Research.

In her new role, Prior will also focus on areas such as data collection, dissemination, and diversifying NatCen’s work programme into new methodologies and topic areas.

Prior replaces Nancy Kelley, who left the organisation in May 2020 to join Stonewall as their chief executive.

Guy Goodwin, chief executive at NatCen, said: “Gillian is a great appointment for us as she brings both strong leadership skills and an extensive knowledge of social research and methods. I’m very much looking forward to working with her as deputy chief executive.”