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Scottish Qualifications Authority
12/01/2009
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, today announced that Graham Houston has been appointed Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Welcoming the appointment, Ms Hyslop said:
"I am delighted that Graham Houston has agreed to become the new Chair of the SQA. The wealth of executive and non-executive experience he brings to the SQA from a range of senior roles, along with his strong leadership abilities, will ensure SQA is ready to meet the future challenges and opportunities it faces."
Graham Houston is the Managing Director of Craigton Coaching & Consultancy and is an experienced, qualified management coach who has worked throughout the private and public sectors. He has over 20 years' experience in management development and executive coaching, and has held a number of senior management positions in the travel and leisure industries in London and the North East of England. Prior to setting up his own consultancy, he was the Scottish Director of The Work Foundation (formerly The Industrial Society).
Until his election as a Councillor on Stirling Council in May 2007, Mr Houston was Vice Chairman of the BBC's Audience Council for Scotland and Chairman of the Scottish and UK judging panels for The National Training Awards. He is also a member of Investors in People Scotland Recognition Panel and a Board member of UK Skills, whose remit is to improve the employability and skills of the country through competitions and awards. In March 2008, he was appointed as the Leader of Stirling Council.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCIM) and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA).
Mr Houston's appointment will be for four years from February 1, 2009 until January 31, 2013. The post is part-time and attracts an annual remuneration of £13,439 for a minimum time commitment of 52 days per year.
The SQA is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body established under the Education (Scotland) Act 1996. It is responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications other than degrees 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. Graham Houston has declared that, within the last five years, he has carried out political activity on behalf of the Scottish National Party (SNP) including standing for and being elected Stirling SNP Councillor for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan in May 2007 and being appointed Leader of Stirling Council in March 2008. Mr Houston has also declared speaking and canvassing on behalf of the Scottish National Party.