Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Board of NatureScot

The Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, Lorna Slater MSP, today announced the appointment of Professor Colin Galbraith as Chair of the Board of NatureScot.

Members

Professor Colin Galbraith is Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) although he will stand down from this role on joining NatureScot. He is an ecologist by training, having completed a PhD at the University of Aberdeen before beginning his career in nature conservation and is now Director of his own environmental consultancy, dealing with a range of environmental issues in Scotland and at s global level. He has been involved with the United Nations for many years and has led key nature conservation initiatives through the Convention on Migratory Species and as part of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in particular. Professor Galbraith has experience in managing governmental organisations and has been heavily involved in developing approaches to nature conservation and to assessing climate change impacts and adaptation at the Scottish, UK, and global levels. He has extensive experience in assessing complex environmental situations that are a mix of science and politics, each with a wide range of stakeholders; consequently, achieving outcomes that had previously seemed difficult or unobtainable.

Appointment

The appointment is for four years and runs from Summer 2023 to June 2027.

The appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The appointment attracts remuneration of £363.35 per day for a time commitment of up to ten days per month.

Other Ministerial appointments

Professor Galbraith does not hold any other Ministerial 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.

Professor Galbraith has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

NatureScot is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body which advises and delivers for the Scottish Government on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland. NatureScot’s role is to help secure the sustainable management of Scotland’s natural heritage for the benefit of all. It delivers its purpose by providing advice to Scottish Ministers and Local Authorities, promoting good practice, and by working in partnership with others in the public, private and voluntary sectors to help secure the enhancement of, and benefits from, our natural assets for society.