Public appointment: Member appointed to the Board of the Scottish Housing Regulator

The Minister for Housing, Mr McLennan, today announced the appointment of Dr Abhishek Agarwal as a Member of the Board of the Scottish Housing Regulator.

Member

Dr Abhishek Agarwal has developed a strong passion for effective governance, over the last decade, taking on various responsibilities such as Non-Executive Director of Kirkgate Developments Limited, Board Member and Chair of Grampian Housing Group, Non-Executive Board Member of NHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland, and Regional Chair of Forth Valley College. He has extensive experience as Chair of the Board and as a member of the Quality and Performance, Audit, and Risk Committees. Since 2019, as Board Chair of Grampian Housing Group, Abhi has provided strong leadership and vision, significantly improving governance practices through new initiatives, policies, and processes. He has also focused on the board’s active involvement in co-creating strategy and effectively managing risk.

Through his charity roles and personal experience as a service user, Abhi deeply understands the need to address inequalities in our society, including appreciating the diversity of our communities, listening to the people we serve and enabling better access. His background in housing, healthcare, governance, and board leadership will be invaluable as he takes on the role of Board Member of Scottish Housing Regulator.

Dr Abhishek Agarwal will step down from his role as Chair of Grampian Housing prior to taking up his role with Board of the Scottish Housing Regulator.

Appointment

This appointment will be for four years and will run from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2028.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £192.740 per day for a time commitment of one days per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Dr Abhishek Agarwal is Chair of Forth Valley College, for which he receives remuneration of £211 per day, for a time commitment of up to two days per week. He is also a Member of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, for which he receives £171.74 per day for a time commitment of one day per week.

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.   

Dr Abhishek Agarwal has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Housing Regulator was established on 1 April 2011 under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010. Its objective is to safeguard and promote the interests of tenants and others who use local authority and Registered Social Landlord housing services. The Regulator operates independently of Scottish Ministers and is accountable directly to the Scottish Parliament. It assumed its full regulatory responsibilities on 1 April 2012. The Regulator currently consists of the Chair and eight Board members.

SHR regulates around 140 registered social landlords and the housing activities of 32 local authorities.  SHR’s current approach to regulation is set out in its regulatory framework – Regulation of Social Housing in Scotland.