Public appointment: Chair and a Non-Executive Director reappointed to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, today announced the reappointment of Lorna Jack as Chair of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL). The Cabinet Secretary also announced the reappointment of Lynne Clow as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of HIAL.

Chair

Lorna Jack is a chartered accountant and a graduate of Aberdeen University. She is Chair of the Board of WBG Group, a private sector company offering audit, corporate finance, accountancy and tax services as well as an advisory Board member of the Isle of Man Airport, providing strategic advice to the IOM Government on the structure and operation of their airport.  She also served as the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Scotland before becoming the Secretary of the Consular Corps, a voluntary association which brings together the diplomatic community in Scotland. Lorna previously held the position of Chief Executive for the Law Society of Scotland for 13 years until stepping down in January 2022.  She also chairs the annual Scottish Legal Awards panel and was previously a Trustee and Treasurer of the McConnell International Foundation.

Non-Executive Director

Lynne Clow graduated from Strathclyde University and built a career in the financial sector working for Standard Life before moving to Deutsche Bank where she built her experience within the HR profession. She then moved into manufacturing and oil and gas and was the Senior Vice President, HR and Shared Services for Deutag, an Oil and Gas company. She is a Non-Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, a Non-Executive Director of Ithaca Energy PLC, and a chairing member of the Children’s Panel.

Reappointments

Lorna Jack will be reappointed as Chair for one year from 1 February 2025 until 31 January 2026. Lynne Clow will be reappointed for three years from 1 March 2025 until 29 February 2028.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The Chair role attracts remuneration of £330.00 per day for a time commitment of six days per month.  The Non-Executive Director role attracts remuneration of £319.97 per day for a time commitment of two days per month.

Other Ministerial appointments

Lorna Jack is the Deputy Chair of the Scottish Funding Council Board and receives £337.00 per day, for a time commitment of 3 days per month.

Lynne Clow has been appointed as a Member of the Board of the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration from 1 October 2024 and will receive £190.00 per day for a time commitment of 1.5 days per month.

Political activity

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.

Lorna Jack and Lynn Clow have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) is responsible for the management and operation of 11 regional airports serving some of the nation’s remotest communities: at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick John O’Groats.  Working with their stakeholders, HIAL are committed to supporting the essential socio-economic role of aviation in Scotland by maintaining and developing their airports to enable the continuation of the vital connectivity on which communities rely.

Scottish Ministers appoint the Board of HIAL to represent their interests as the owners of the company. The role of the Chair and Non-Executive Directors is to ensure that the company is being run in line with Ministerial expectations.

All HIAL Board members are required to demonstrate “an ability to understand Highlands and Islands issues, including the economic development and social inclusion of the regions’ communities and stakeholders”.