Matheson became head of the UKSA when it was created in 2009. Prior to that she held a number of senior positions in the Office for National Statistics (ONS), most recently the director general statistical delivery, and the executive director of census, demographic and regional statistics.
She joined the civil service in 1975, working in the ONS’s predecessor, the Office for Population and Census Studies.
Andrew Dilnot, chair of the UK Statistics Authority said that with Matheson’s retirement “we will lose a highly influential, engaging and trusted ambassador who has unfailingly articulated the importance of high quality, trusted official statistics to countless different audiences far and wide, both at home and abroad.”