News / 
27thFebruary 2018

Chairs Reappointed to Regional College Boards

The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science today announced the reappointments of Willie Mackie,Tony Jakimciw OBE, Brian Johnstone, Stephen Magee,Ken Milroy MBE and Keith McKellar as Chairs of Regional College Boards.

CHAIRS

Ayrshire College

Willie Mackie was appointed Regional Chair of Ayrshire College in March 2014. Following a career in Financial Services, he established Willie Mackie Consulting Limited in 2013, providing business consultancy services to a wide range of clients. He is past President of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Willie is currently a Board Member of Colleges Scotland and College Development Network and was a founding Member of the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board.

Willie’s Reappointment will be for four years from 3rd March 2018 to 2nd March 2022, he will receive a remuneration of £265 per day for a time commitment of two days per week.

Willie is a Member of Skills Development Scotland for which he receives remuneration of £6,312 per annum for a time commitment of 2 days per month and a Member of Scottish Enterprise for which he receives remuneration of £12,581 per annum for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month.

Borders College

Tony Jakimciw OBE has worked in further educationfor over 40 years. Starting as a lecturer in Art, History and Communication, he has worked in a number of college roles before his appointment as Principal of Dumfries and Galloway college, where he worked for thirteen years. He was awarded an OBE for services to education in 2012, and following retirement, was appointed as Chair of Borders College in 2013. Tony has been proactive in supporting economic development in both Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders and has significant experience of partnership working with public and private sector organisations.

Tony’s reappointment will be for two years from 3rd March 2018 to 2nd March 2020, he will receive a remuneration of £200 per dayfor a time commitment of two days per week. He holds no other ministerial public appointments

Dumfries and Galloway College

Brian Johnstone has been Regional College Chair for Dumfries and Galloway since March 2014. He is a Chartered Accountant, and has worked at Partner level in the profession for many years where he advised business on finance and governance. Brian is passionate about education/employer engagement and is a Member of the DYW National Advisory Group.

Brian’s reappointment will be for two years from 3rd March 2018 to 2nd March 2020, he will receive a remuneration of £200 per dayfor a time commitment of two days per week. He holds no other ministerial public appointments

Fife College

Stephen Mageehas gained a MSc in Adult and Community Education and brings to the role a lifelong involvement in education. Most recently he has been Vice Principal of the University of St Andrews. Stephen has experience in the development and delivery of strategy, and assuring efficient and proper use of resources to meet strategic aims. Over his career he has worked as a primary and secondary school teacher, as a lecturer in further education, as a unit head and service director in higher education, through to adult and lifelong education tutor in basic literacy and numeracy skills and in ESL. Stephen have also been an administrator at the most senior level. Stephen seeks now to continue using his skills and experience in support of the strategic evolution of, and regional approach to, the development of further education in Scotland.

Stephen’s reappointment will be for one year from 3rd March 2018 to 2nd March 2019, he will receive a remuneration of £265 per dayfor a time commitment of two days per week. He holds no other ministerial public appointments

North East Scotland College

Ken Milroy MBEstudied Youth and Community Work at Moray House College, Edinburgh, graduating in 1981. He has a background in the voluntary and public sectors in Community Development and Youth Work in both Strathclyde and Grampian. In 1996 he was appointed to his current post of Chief Executive of Aberdeen Foyer, a charitable company and social enterprise working to prevent and alleviate youth homelessness and unemployment. Ken joined the Board of Management of Aberdeen college in 2004, was appointed to Vice-Chair in 2007 and became Chair in 2009. In 2012, as part of the Scottish Government’s reform of post-16 education, Ken was invited to lead the regional planning for college education in the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire region. He played a vital role in pre-merger negotiations between Aberdeen College and Banff & Buchan College, and following a successful merger, was appointed by the Scottish Government as the Regional Chair of the Board of Management of North East Scotland College. In this capacity Ken also serves as the Chair of the Colleges Scotland Board.

Ken’s reappointment will be for four years from 3rd March 2018 to 2nd March 2022, he will receive a remuneration of £265 per dayfor a time commitment of two days per week. He holds no other ministerial public appointments

West College Scotland

Keith McKellarwas initially appointed as Regional Chair of West College Scotland in March 2014. He is also Chief Executive of the Hannah Dairy Research Foundation (a Scottish agricultural scientific research charity), a Non-Executive Director of Colleges Scotland and Chair of Ardgowan University Teaching Hospice. A scientist by profession, he has held a number of CEO positions and non-executive role within the education. Scientific research (public and commercial), NHS Research Scotland and pharmaceutical sectors. His main area of interest and expertise lie in the commercialisation of knowledge transfer and innovation, combined with significant experience of successful organisational turn-around and the establishment of large-scale multi-organisational collaborations.

Keith’s reappointment will be for two years from 3rd March 2018 to 2nd March 2020, he will receive a remuneration of £265 per dayfor a time commitment of two days per week. He holds no other ministerial public appointments

REAPPOINTMENTS

Thereappointment are regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

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 five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Willie Mackie,Tony JakimciwOBE, Brian Johnstone, Stephen Magee, Ken Milroy MBE andKeith McKellar have had no political activity within the last five years.

BACKGROUND

The Boards of Scotland’s Colleges play a critical role in helping deliver the objectives set by the Scottish Ministers, and in ensuring that public bodies commit funds in pursuit of these goals both effectively and efficiently.