This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New CalMac chair appointed
03/07/2006
Transport Minister Tavish Scott today announced the appointment of Peter Timms, the new Chair to the Board of Caledonian MacBrayne Limited (CalMac).
The term of the current Chair Dr Harold Mills ends on July 31 this year and Mr Timms, a member of the CalMac board, will take over for three years. His appointment will run from August 1, 2006 until July 31, 2009.
Speaking during a visit to Benbecula, Tavish Scott said:
"CalMac has a crucial role in providing lifeline ferry services to island and remote mainland communities in the Clyde and Hebrides. I am delighted that Peter Timms has agreed to accept the challenge and lead CalMac for a three-year term.
"This appointment, coupled with the experience and skills of the current board members will help the company through the current difficult process of restructuring. The skills and knowledge that Mr Timms has will benefit not only the company, but also importantly the passengers and businesses that rely on the vital ferry services that CalMac provides.
"The Chair post requires continued strong leadership, an understanding of the issues which affect the social and economic life of the Highlands and Islands and a clear vision of the future. I believe that Peter Timms has the skills necessary to take CalMac forward in the next stage of its development.
Peter Timms lives on Bute and has been Chairman and Managing Director of Flexible Technology Limited, a company based in Rothesay, since 1981. He previously worked at senior management level with AFA-Minerva (Thorn-EMI) Ltd in London and with IBM (UK) Ltd in Greenock. He is a former member of Highland and Islands Enterprise Board, retiring from that position in 1998. He is a member of the Board of Argyll & the Islands Enterprise and is a former member of the Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board. He was first appointed to the CalMac Board in July 2000 and re-appointed in July 2003: his current remuneration as a board member is £7,034. Mr Timms does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.
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.
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.
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 the appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Within the last five years, Mr Timms has not been involved in any political activity.