Public appointment: Member Reappointed to Ayrshire & Arran Health Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointment of Sheila Cowan as a Member of Ayrshire & Arran NHS Board.

Member

Sheila Cowan joined the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Board on 1 April 2021. She semi-retired in 2018 after working for 25 years for global companies, at a senior financial professional level for the IT sector.  With this professional experience, as well as skills of collaboration, visionary, and leadership qualities, she worked on a voluntary business mentorship, along with gaining successful board experience for a national sports body as the Finance Director. This also encompassed management for programmes to evolve change within their business model.  Educated to degree level plus an MBA, she has a passion to ‘make a difference’. Throughout her career, this value along with trust, and respect are the most important aspects for Sheila. She was appointed as Board Vice Chair in May 2023. She is Chair of the Performance Governance and Endowment Committees and a member of the Information Governance and Integrated Governance Committees. Sheila is also an NHS non-executive member of the East Ayrshire Integration Joint Board. 

Reappointment

This reappointment will be for 4 years and will run from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2029.

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This reappointment is 1 day per week (52 days per year) and attracts a remuneration of £11,700, based on a time commitment of 52 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Sheila Cowan is a Non Executive Member of the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Board, for which she receives remuneration of £12,200 per annum, for a time commitment of 3 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.   

Sheila Cowan has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is responsible for meeting the health needs of around 400,000 people living in the area, and provides a comprehensive range of primary, community-based and acute hospital services for the population.