Public appointment: Chair and Non-Executive Directors reappointed to the David MacBrayne Limited Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, today announced the reappointment of Erik Østergaard OBE as Chair of the David MacBrayne Limited (DML) Board. The Cabinet Secretary also announced the reappointment of Tim Ingram and Grant Macrae as Non-Executive Directors of the DML Board.

Chair

Erik Østergaard OBE has more than 35 years of experience in senior management positions in the shipping, ferry and transportation industry. He was originally trained in shipping before studying international economics and management at leading business schools such as the International Institute for Management Development, Stanford University, IESE Business School and the Boot School of Business, University of Chicago from where a degree as Master of Business Administration was awarded. He has held and holds office as a non-executive board member and chairman of numerous companies in the shipping and transportation industry, government committees and board of trade associations.

Non-Executive Directors

Tim Ingram brings health and safety, enterprise risk management and governance skills together with a range of energy industry, marine and port operations experience. He worked in the offshore oil and gas industry before joining the Health and Safety Executive as a Specialist Inspector becoming the Principal Inspector responsible for various major hazard facilities across Scotland. He went on to hold various director level health and safety and assurance roles with amongst others, Maersk Oil, the Wood Group, Dana Petroleum and the Port of Tyne. He now runs a specialist corporate safety consultancy. He was previously a Non-Executive Director and Vice-Chair of Western Isles NHS Board.

Grant Macrae is a Member the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and CIPFA with extensive experience of audit, risk management and governance. He has participated in the development of international accounting standards and was previously appointed by the Accounts Commission and Audit Scotland to audit a wide range of local and central government bodies, several of which operated with substantial risk profile over multi-sites.

Reappointments

Erik Østergaard will be reappointed as Chair for three years from 3 January 2025 until 2 January 2028. For the Non-Executive Director roles, Tim Ingram will be reappointed for three years from 8 November 2024 until 7 November 2027 and Grant Macrae for three years from 16 November 2024 until 15 November 2027.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The Chair receives £363.00 per day for a time commitment of two days per week.  The Non-Executive Director’s receive £320.00 per day for a time commitment of three days per month.

Other Ministerial appointments

Grant Macrae is a Member of the Scottish Police Authority Board and receives £317.00 per day for a time commitment of six days per month.

Erik Østergaard and Tim Ingram do not hold any other public appointments.

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.

Erik Østergaard, Tim Ingram and Grant Macrae have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

With over 160 years’ experience, David MacBrayne Limited (DML) is one of Scotland’s longest continually running businesses. It is wholly owned by Scottish Ministers and is a key component of the transport network, providing lifeline ferry connectivity to islands and remote communities. DML employs around 1900 people with an annual turnover of approximately £200 million. It transports more than five million passengers annually and operates 26 ports within the UK.

DML provides transport and infrastructure services to communities, supporting the aims of the Scottish Government to provide a Wealthier, Fairer, Smarter, Healthier, Safer, Stronger and Greener Scotland, and to make a commercial return to the shareholder, the Scottish Ministers.

DML’s largest subsidiary company is CalMac Ferries Limited (CFL).  CFL is the UK’s largest ferry operator in terms of ships and destinations served and one of the largest transport operators in Scotland.  It provides essential lifeline services and logistical support to island and remote communities, and currently operates the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Contract.