Public appointment: member reappointed to the State Hospitals Board for Scotland

The Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart MSP, today announced the reappointment of David McConnell as a member of the State Hospitals Board for Scotland.

Member

David McConnell has been a member of the State Hospitals Board for Scotland since November 2018, and has served as its Audit Committee Chair; also providing interim leadership to the Board from January to July 2021 until a new Chair was appointed. Prior to this David has had an extensive career in public sector finance and audit. He began his career with the National Audit Office and transferred in 1985 to the Accounts Commission. This became Audit Scotland in 2000, where he worked, most recently as an Audit Director, until retirement in 2018. He has served as the auditor of many of Scotland’s largest public bodies including the City Councils of both Glasgow and Edinburgh, NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. David brings a broad range of experience in the disciplines of public sector finance and accounting and also in the areas of corporate governance and scrutiny. 

Reappointment

David McConnell’s reappointment will be for four years and will run from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2026.

The reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £8,930 per annum for a time commitment of one day per week.

Other ministerial appointments

David McConnell does 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.

David McConnell has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The State Hospitals Board for Scotland is one of four high secure hospitals in the UK. It is a national resource providing care and treatment in conditions of high security for around 140 patients from Scotland and Northern Ireland who need to be detained in hospital under conditions of special security that can only be provided by the State Hospital.