News /22 March 2016
Members Reappointments to the Scottish Natural Heritage Board
The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, AileenMcLeod today announced the reappointment of DrSusan WalkerOBE, ProfessorRobertFurness, IanGillies and CouncillorAngusCampbell. DrMcLeod also announced the reappointment of DrWalker as SNH’s Deputy Chair, a role she will continue to fulfil for the term of her reappointment as a Board member.
Background
SNH is a non-departmental public body (NDPB). The organisation is funded by the Government and Board Members are appointed by Scottish Ministers. This includes the appointment of the Deputy Chair from amongst the Board membership, after consulting the Chair. SNH is the Government's advisor on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland. SNH's role is to help secure the sustainable management of Scotland’s natural heritage for the benefit of all.
Members
DrSusanWalkerhas worked in environmental and natural resources management for over 30years. She has held a number of non-executive positions in the rural and environment sector in Scotland. Since August2014 she has been Deputy Chair of Scottish Natural Heritage. Susanhas skills and experience in governance and strategy and also has strengths in environmental science and land management.
ProfessorRobertFurnessretired from Glasgow University in2011, where he was Professor of Seabird and Fishing Interactions. He supervised over 60PhD students and has published on a wide range of topics including seabird ecology, marine renewable stable isotopes as ecological tracer, and marine pollution. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh as well as having chaired ICES working groups, Firth Shore assessment. He is now Principal Ornithologist at MacArthur Green and Chairs Scottish Natural Heritage Scientific Adversity Committee.
CouncillorAngusCampbellis the Leader and Vice Convener of Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar. Angushas been the local councillor since1999 and is Leader of an independent group of councillors at Conventions of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). He is committed to Island sustainability as illustrated by joint leadership of “Our Islands Our Future” movement.
IanGilliesis an experienced crofting and farming Estate manager. He also has a relevant history in community involvement, having served as a Councillor with Argyll and Bute for twelve years. During this period he specialised in European Island affairs, and also information technology. Most recently, before joining the Board of the Scottish Natural Heritage, Ianwas a Board member for over sixyears with the David MacBrayne Group, including CalmacFerriesLtd. He continues to serve on a number of local voluntary and charitable community groups.
Appointments
DrWalker’s appointment will be for twoyears from the 1April2016 to the 31March2018. ProfessorFurness’, IanGillies’ and CouncillorCampbell’s appointment will be for threeyears from the 1April2016 to the 31March2019.
These reappointments are part time and attract a remuneration of £8,741 per year for a time commitment of 2.5 days a month. The Deputy Chair role has an additional time commitment of 2 days a month (4.5 days a month in total) in recognition of extra duties associated with this position, attracting a remuneration of £15,734 per year.
Thesereappointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
Other Ministerial Appointments
DrWalker currently holds a public appointment as a member of the Food Standards Scotland Board, for which she receives an annual remuneration of £9,936for a time commitment of fourdays a month. She is also a member of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland Board, for which she receives and annual remuneration of £5,208for a time commitment of twodays per month.
ProfessorFurness, IanGillies and CouncillorCampbell do not hold other Ministerial appointments.
Political Activity
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last fiveyears (if there is any to be decleared) to be made public. CouncillorCampbell is the leader of Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar. DrWalker, IanGillies and ProfessorFurnesshave had no political activity in the last fiveyears.