Meet our Leadership Team

Samantha Byers

Samantha Byers

Chief Operating Officer and Clerk to Court of Directors

SMT Executive – Samantha joined EA in May 2022 as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations, before being appointed as the first Chief Operating Officer in September 2024.

Educated at St George’s School for Girls, Samantha completed her degree in Business and Finance at Edinburgh Napier University. She is an experienced business professional whose career has spanned financial services and both secondary and tertiary education. During her time in London, following the dissolution of a business partnership, she seized the opportunity to establish a new life assurance and pensions company. After relocating back to Scotland with her family, Samantha spent ten years at the University of St Andrews before joining EA.

Samantha has a son and daughter and is a passionate rugby supporter, so there’s a good chance you’ll find her on the touchline at New Field. When she’s not watching rugby, she can often be found indulging her other passion – cooking.