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VisitScotand
04/09/2008
The Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather today announced the reappointment of two members to the board of VisitScotland along with a two month extension of term for another serving member.
Mr Mather confirmed that the reappointed members are: Dr Lesley Sawers and Councillor Willie Dunn. Additionally Pat Buchanan has her appointment term extended until January 31, 2009.
Dr Lesley Sawers - Chief Executive of Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), she was previously Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce since 2004. She spent a year with VisitScotland as Strategic Communications Advisor. Prior to working at VisitScotland, Lesley was Director for Scottish Affairs at Royal Mail. She currently serves as a trustee of NCH and is Chairperson of NCH Scotland for which she receives no remuneration. Lesley brings strong communication and business awareness / commerce skills to the board and provides a wide overview of overlapping issues affecting tourism in Scotland.
Councillor Willie Dunn - Deputy Leader of West Lothian Council Labour Group and member of the Council's executive. He is a member of West Lothian Leisure, Chamber of Commerce, West Lothian Ventures Ltd and VisitScotland Chairman's Local Authorities Committee. Also a Board member of Tourco and eTourism Ltd. He receives no remuneration for these. Willie brings important political awareness and partnership working to the board and works to ensure the important link between VisitScotland and Scottish local authorities is maintained.
Both reappointments will be for three years and will run from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2011.
These posts are part-time and attract a remuneration of £8,235 for a time commitment of two days per month.
VisitScotland is the Scottish Government's national tourism organisation responsible for implementing government polices and initiatives impacting on the development of tourism in Scotland and improving the customer experience. It contributes significantly to the advancement of Scottish tourism by giving it a real presence in the global marketplace and benefitting the whole of Scotland. VisitScotland's priorities are:
- To attract visitors to Scotland
- To engage with partners within the industry
- To add value to the visitor experience
These Ministerial public appointments are 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 to be made public. Lesley Sawers undertook no political activity in the last five years. Willie Dunn confirms he has carried out political activity on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party in the last five years including standing for, and being, elected to the following:
- West Lothian Labour Councillor for Mid Calder and Pumpherston
- Depute Leader of West Lothian Council Labour Group
- Branch Chair of the West Lothian Council Labour Group
- Chair of the Constituency Labour Party (CLP)
FURTHER APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF VISITSCOTLAND
In addition to the reappointments and extension of term; detailed above, Ministers are seeking to fill up to four board vacancies which will become available over the period February 1 to December 1, 2009. Adverts will appear on 5 September in the following newspapers - Scotsman, Herald, Courier, and Press and Journal, directing interested parties to the full advert on the Scottish Government Public Appointments website