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Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
24/06/2009
Keith Brown, Minister for Schools and Skills, today announced the appointment of Willie Gallagher and Kenneth McKay to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Willie Gallagher is the former Chair of Transport Initiatives Edinburgh and has been a member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the Strategic Rail Authority. He has also been a non-executive Board Member of Lothian Buses and Transport for Edinburgh Ltd and is currently a Director of Touchdown Services Ltd, an engineering company providing a range of services to Utilities. Mr Gallagher brings knowledge and experience of driving business change at a senior level that has led to significant organisational improvements to systems and processes.
Kenneth McKay worked for over three years as a Graduate Civil Engineer before entering teacher training in 1988, qualifying from St. Andrew's College of Education, to teach Physics and Mathematics. He subsequently taught Physics at Gracemount High School and Holy Rood High School (Edinburgh) where he was Senior Teacher with responsibility for Education Industry Links. He was then appointed Principal Teacher of Physics at The Royal High School. Mr McKay is currently Acting Head Teacher at Preston Lodge High School and brings knowledge and experience of secondary school education gained in a managerial and teaching capacity at a senior level.
Both appointments will last for four years and will run from July 1 2009 to June 30, 2013. The posts are part-time and attract a remuneration of £4,531 for a time commitment of up to 23 days per year.
Willie Gallagher and Kenneth McKay hold no other public appointments.
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.
These Ministerial public appointments were 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 5 years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Neither of the appointees declared any political activity in the last five years.