This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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National Museums of Scotland
25/01/2006
Patricia Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, today announced the appointment of Sir Angus Grossart as the new Chair of the National Museums of Scotland, succeeding Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, who retires from NMS on January 31, 2006.
Sir Angus Grossart is currently Chairman and Managing Director of Noble Grossart. He has served as a Chairman or a Director of many companies in the UK the US and Canada, including the Royal Bank of Scotland where he was Vice Chairman. He is former Chairman of the National Galleries of Scotland and was a trustee and Vice Chairman of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland.
This appointment will be for four years and will run from February 1, 2006 to January 31, 2010.
This post is part-time and is unremunerated. Sir Angus is expected to spend an average of three to four days per month on NMS business, to attend all Board meetings and additional meetings and events. The Board meets six times each year, mainly in Edinburgh. Sir Angus holds no other public appointments.
NMS looks after, researches and provides the widest possible access to collections of national and international importance. With a staff of over 400 and a budget of over £23 million for 2005-06, NMS has an ambitious programme of expansion to reach a larger and wider audience, supported by significant modernisation.
NMS operates six museums - the Royal Museum, the Museum of Scotland and the National War Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh; the Museum of Flight in East Lothian; the Museum of Scottish Country Life near East Kilbride; and Shambellie House Museum of Costume near Dumfries.
NMS also works in partnership with the heritage and education sectors as well as with local communities throughout Scotland. NMS has an important national role in providing advice and support to the museum community in Scotland.
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. Sir Angus has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
NMS is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) and the Board is appointed by, and accountable to, Scottish Ministers. The National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 provides for the Scottish Ministers to appoint between nine and 15 Members to the Board of Trustees, including the Chair.
An NDPB Board has collective responsibility for ensuring that the statutory purposes of the body are being fulfilled, that Scottish Executive policies and priorities are being met, and that the use of resources represents an appropriate and effective uses of public funds. The Board is responsible for determining the strategies, policies and priorities for the National Museums and in overseeing the work of the Director and staff.