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Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel
23/02/2009
Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution Michael Russell has announced the appointment of two new members, the reappointment of the Chair and reappointment of a lay member to the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel.
The new members are:
Neil Curtis - A Senior Curator in Marischal Museum and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Aberdeen, Mr Curtis studied Archaeology (Glasgow, 1986), Museum Studies (Leicester, 1988) and Education (Aberdeen, 1995). His research focuses on critical studies of museums and archaeology, including young children's learning in museums, consideration of the social and cultural roles of museums today, and studies of Scottish museum history and antiquities.
David Connolly - A field and buildings archaeologist for the past 25 years he has worked in a variety of positions and locations from Scotland to Iraq and Germany to Turkmenistan. He is currently working closely with metal detecting groups, the Portable Antiquities Scheme and other interested groups to ensure wider cooperation within the field of public and accessible archaeology. Mr Connolly is co-editor of the volunteer journal Past Horizons, and is the founder and director of the British Archaeological Jobs and Resources website. He also runs Connolly Heritage Consultancy.
The reappointments are:
Professor Ian Ralston (Panel Chair) - A practicing field archaeologist, he has been employed as a University-based academic since 1974, currently at the University of Edinburgh. His research and teaching career has focussed on the archaeology of Britain (especially Scotland) and on temperate Europe (more especially France). He has directed field work since 1977 and has published reports in Scotland and France. He has also published extensively on Scottish pre and protohistory, most recently 'Archaeology and Early History of Angus' (2008) with Andy Dunwell. Professor Ralston is currently Chair of the Standing Committee for Archaeology, non-executive Chairman of CFA Archaeology Ltd and Vice-President, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Ron Smith - The Chief Executive of ESPC (UK) Ltd in Edinburgh, Mr Smith has significant board-level experience in both the public and private sectors. He was an officer in the RAF Regiment before retiring in 1992 to pursue a civilian career. He was Chief Executive of the Common Services Agency of the NHS in Scotland (2000 - 2001). He has also held a number of senior appointments in the NHS in England and the Ministry of Defence. Mr Smith is also Chairman of Veterans Scotland. He has a degree (MA) from the University of Edinburgh with joint honours in Politics and History and a continuing amateur interest in Scottish history and archaeology.
Ian Ralston and Ron Smith's appointments will be for three years and will run from January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2011. David Connolly and Neil Curtis's appointments will be for four years and will run from January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2012.
The posts are part-time and attract no remuneration for a time commitment of four meetings per year.
The Scottish Archaeological Funds Advisory Panel is a small specialist Panel which gives independent advice to the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, the Crown's representative in Scotland, on whether finds of historical items made by members of the public should be acquired on behalf of the nation for allocation to a Scottish museum. The Panel also advises on ex-gratia payments to finders.
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 within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. None of the appointees declared any political activity.