This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Appointment extension for CalMac chairperson
01/02/2006
Transport Minister Tavish Scott today announced that CalMac Chairman Dr Harold Mills will serve until July 31, 2006.
This short extension will see Dr Mills remain in post until his successor is able to start. A competition to identify the new Chairman was launched on 20 January, and it is proposed that the successful applicant will be in post by 1 August.
Mr Scott said:
"Due to Parliament's interest in the lifeline ferry services, we put the appointment processes for the CalMac Chairman and non executive directors on hold last year.
"We are now well advanced in the process of selecting a number of new non executive directors for the company. The recruitment of a new Chairman began last week with advertisements appearing in a range of local and national newspapers and Dr Harold Mills will ensure continuity until his successor takes up post."
Dr Mills, who is 67, lives in Edinburgh although he comes originally from Greenock where he was a Town Councillor. He was a lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Glasgow prior to joining the Civil Service in 1970. As a civil servant he held a wide variety of posts including Head of Devolution Division (1976 to 1979), secondment to the Privy Council (1981 to 1983), Principal Finance Officer and, from 1992 to 1998, Secretary of The Scottish Office Environment Department and The Scottish Office Development Department. He retired from the Civil Service at the age of 60 in April 1998.
The post of Chair is part-time (1.5 days per week) and currently attracts a remuneration of £25,937, which is subject to annual review.
Dr Mills other current appointments include the Chair of the Edinburgh World Heritage and the Chair of LandTrust. He is also Trustee of the Scottish Maritime Museum. Dr Mills does not receive any remuneration for these appointments.
Caledonian MacBrayne Limited (CalMac) is a company wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers which provides the main ferry network on the West coast of Scotland. The company operates lifeline ferry services in the Inner and Outer Hebrides and in the Firth of Clyde. Dr Mills was first appointed Chairman in August 1999 and was reappointed in 2002. This is a second extension to his current appointment which now runs from February 1, 2006 to July 31, 2006.
This original ministerial appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. This six month extension to Dr Mills' second term in office was approved by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland, as was the first extension from August 1, 2005 to January 31, 2006.
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 the political activity of appointees (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Dr Mills has not declared any political activity.