This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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VisitScotland
09/08/2005
Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson today announced the
reappointment of Brian Houston to the VisitScotland
Board.
A management consultant and board advisor, Mr Houston
was formerly a board director of the PA Consulting
Group.
He spent 15 years living and working in Europe, Asia and
the US consulting multinational clients in strategy
development, management of major business transformations
and the coaching and development of boards and management
teams. He is also currently Chairman of the RB Farquhar
Group of companies in Aberdeenshire.
The post is part-time and attracts a remuneration of
£8,235 for a time commitment of two days per month. He
holds no other public appointments.
VisitScotland is the agency responsible for promoting
the interests of the tourism industry across Scotland. It
has wide statutory powers to promote tourism and has a
budget of around £70 million per annum. It is funded by the
Executive, and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport
makes appointments to its Board, which has seven members
including the Chair.
This Ministerial public appointment was made in
accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in
Scotland's Code of Practice.
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
(if there is any to be declared) to be made public.
Mr Houston does not undertake any political
activities.
The reappointment is for four years and runs from July
1, 2005, to June 30, 2009.