11 April 2018
MEMBERS REAPPOINTED TO
THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND BOARD
The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, today announced the reappointments of Dr Brian Lang, Lynda Logan, Eilidh Wiseman and Dr Catriona Macdonald as Members of the National Museums Scotland Board.
MEMBERS
Dr Brian Lang CBE began his career as a social anthropologist, but has held a number of senior posts in conservation and heritage, including the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and the National Trust. He was Chief Executive and Deputy Chair of the British Library from 1991 to 2000. He was then appointed Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of St Andrews for eight years from 2001. He was Deputy Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Chair of its Committee for Scotland from 2005 to 2011, and Chair of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra from 2008 to 2015. Dr Lang is currently Chair of Edinburgh World Heritage, Chair of Dovecot Tapestry Studios, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He was awarded a CBE in 2016 for services to the Arts, Heritage and Education.
Lynda Logan has spent 25 years in a variety of research, consultancy and commercial roles. Lynda has a love of the Culture and History of Scotland and brings an external view from being Scottish but living overseas. She is a member of the Global Scot Network.
Eilidh Wiseman is a solicitor, qualified in Scotland, England and Wales specialising in the area of employment law. She is a mediator and part-time lecturer with particular expertise in Public Sector Employment Law issues and collective agreements. Eilidh is also a Legal Assessor to the Church of Scotland and a member of the Disciplinary Panel of the Chartered Bankers Institute.
Dr Catriona Macdonald is reader in Late Modern Scottish History at the University of Glasgow. She has been employed in Higher Education in Scotland since 1996. Her knowledge of Scottish Literature and History and the relevance of current research to contemporary concerns are important aspects of her role on the Board.
REAPPOINTMENTS
These reappointments will be for four years and will run from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2022.
The reappointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
REMUNERATION
These reappointments are part-time with a time-commitment of ten days per year, and are non-remunerated.
OTHER MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
None of the members being reappointed hold other Ministerial Appointments.
POLITICAL ACTIVITY
All appointments and reappointments 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’ and reappointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.
The Members being reappointed to the National Museums Scotland Board have upheld no political activity within the last 5 years.
BACKGROUND
National Museums Scotland fulfils a statutory role as one of the UK and Europe’s leading museums groups, and cares for collections of over 12 million items of national and international importance. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, whose members are responsible for the overall strategy and for ensuring public accountability.
Core funded by the Scottish Government, like all Public Bodies, National Museums Scotland operates within the context of the Scottish Government’s national outcomes and strategic objectives, including public service reform. Its key priorities take account of its statutory duties of providing education, encouraging research, promoting public awareness of the collections and caring for the items it holds. National Museums Scotland is also a Scottish Charity (no. SC 011130).
As a national centre of excellence it is committed to widening access and participation to its collections, both nationally and internationally, and continuing to support the museum community across Scotland. It has an ambitious programme of development and investment to create visitor experiences which compare with the best internationally by making more effective use of its collections and by reaching out to a wider audience (including through digital delivery).
In 2016, National Museums Scotland completed two major capital projects: a £3.6 million redevelopment has transformed visitors experience at one of its sites - the National Museum of Flight - re-presenting 100 years of aviation and showcasing a pre-eminent collection. A further £14 million investment at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street has contributed to the creation of ten inspiring galleries of fashion, applied art and design, and science and technology. National Museums Scotland has also made major investments over the past decade at the National Museums Collection Centre in Granton. This site is now a focus for all of the stored National Collections and a state-of-the-art centre for conservation and research.
Further information is available at