This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Appointment to Scottish Homes Board
24/03/2003
The appointment of a new member of the Board of Scottish
Homes was announced today.
Charles Johnston, who is a retired senior banker,
joins the Board with effect from 24 March 2003. He has had
considerable experience in a range of senior posts with the
Bank of Scotland and, latterly, TSB/Lloyds TSB and his
financial expertise and commitment will be important in
working towards wind-up of Scottish Homes.
This new appointment, which will run initially until
September 2003, is to fill an existing vacancy created by
the recent resignation of Christine May from the Board,
bringing the total number of Board members to six,
including the post of chair.
On 1 November 2001, most of Scottish Homes' staff and
functions transferred to a new Executive Agency,
Communities Scotland. In line with conclusions of the
Executive's Public Bodies Review, Scottish Homes will be
abolished when its remaining tasks have been concluded.
The business remaining includes divesting itself of current
housing stock, dealing with the pensions of employees,
disposing of its existing loan book and preparing the final
accounts on wind up.
Social Justice Minister Margaret Curran said:
"I welcome the appointment of Charles Johnston. He will
bring additional financial expertise to Scottish Homes'
Board at a time when it is vital to ensure that we have the
appropriate skills to manage the tasks associated with the
wind-up of the organisation".
Reflecting the diminished responsibilities of the
board following the creation of Communities Scotland,
Members' remuneration fell from £7,674 to the current
£2,619, plus expenses, per annum.
Charles Johnston has not declared any political
activity nor does he currently hold any other ministerial
appointments.
Scottish Homes is a Non-Departmental Public Body,
established by the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988.
The appointment has been made in accordance with the
Code of Practice issued by the Office of the Commissioner
for Public Appointments.
The various declared interests of the Scottish Homes
board can be viewed on the Scottish Homes web pages
contained in the website of Communities Scotland -
www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk.