This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New appointments to National Galleries
21/10/2002
Four new Members have been appointed to the Board of
Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland.
The National Galleries of Scotland is a Non-Departmental
Public Body (NDPB).
Councillor Elizabeth Cameron, Mr Marc Ellington,
Professor Richard Thomson and Dr Ruth Wishart will serve
for four years until 30 September 2006. The posts are not
remunerated.
The Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland have
a statutory duty to care for, preserve and develop existing
collections and to make them available to the general
public and for research. The National Galleries receive
annual funding of £10 million from the Scottish
Executive.
Welcoming the appointments, Dr Elaine Murray, Deputy
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, said:
"The four new Trustees will bring a wealth of experience
to the Board of the National Galleries of Scotland, a major
Scottish cultural public body.
"The Trustees have a crucial role in determining the
policies and priorities for the National Galleries, in
overseeing the operation of the Galleries, and in ensuring
good value for money for public funds.
"I look forward to working with the new Trustees, and
the Chair and Board of the National Galleries of Scotland,
in pursuing Scottish Ministers' aims of promoting
participation and excellence in the cultural field".
Elizabeth Cameron was elected to Glasgow City Council in
1992 and is Convenor of the Council's Cultural and Leisure
Services. She is Chair of
the Board of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and a Member of
the Board of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. She is also a
Member of the Board of Scottish Arts Council. Councillor
Cameron declared political activities within the last five
years in her application: in addition to obtaining office
as a Councillor she has canvassed and engaged in other
political activities for the Scottish Labour Party.
Membership of the Board of Scottish Arts Council is a
non-renumerated Ministerial appointment. Councillor Cameron
holds no other Ministerial appointments.
Marc Ellington is an independent communications,
marketing and tourism consultant. He is a Member of the
Heritage Lottery Fund Committee for Scotland and served as
a Member of the Historic Buildings Council for 18 years
until 1998. In addition he served as a Board Member of
Grampian Enterprise Ltd and was a Scottish Representative
of the British Tourist Association Heritage Committee. Mr
Ellington declared no political activities within the last
five years and holds no other Ministerial appointment.
Richard Thomson is Watson Gordon Professor of Fine Art
at the University of Edinburgh, and was also responsible
for setting up the Visual Arts Research Institute,
Edinburgh. Before that, he taught at the University of
Manchester where he was also a Member of the Board of the
Cornerhouse, the Manchester contemporary art and cinema
complex. He has extensive experience in the organisation of
international loan exhibitions. Professor Thomson declared
no political activities within the last five years and
holds no other Ministerial appointment.
Dr Ruth Wishart is a freelance journalist and
broadcaster. She is the Chair of the Centre for
Contemporary Arts in Glasgow and a Governor of the Glasgow
School of Art. She was Chair of Glasgow Common Purpose
until earlier this year. Dr Wishart declared no political
activities within the last five years and holds no other
Ministerial appointment.
The Ministerial public appointments were made in
accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Office
of the Commissioner of Public Appointments (OCPA). A
statement of validation from the Independent Assessor
appointed by OCPA has been obtained. This confirms full
compliance with the OCPA Code of Practice at each stage of
the appointments process.
The National Galleries of Scotland is a Non-Departmental
Public Body (NDPB) and the Board is appointed by, and
accountable to, Scottish Ministers. The Board consists of
12 Members including the Chair.