Public appointment: Members appointed to the Accounts Commission for Scotland

The Minister for Local Government, Empowerment and Planning today announced the appointment of Carol Evans, Angela Leitch, Mike Neilson and Derek Yule as Members of the Accounts Commission for Scotland.

Members

Carol Evans has over 20 years’ experience of education, stakeholder engagement, strategic leadership driving significant organisational and culture change in complex organisations in the private, public and third sector. She has worked at a senior level in Global roles in AstraZeneca, Senior European roles in Kellogg’s and PepsiCo, and national roles in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. She is a non-executive director of Skills Development Scotland, Food Standards Scotland, Chair of Friends of Cedarbank Charity and previously a member of several other regulatory boards, committees and UK Department of Health advisory groups. As a member of global executive teams, she has been responsible for audit, risk, finance and ensuring the highest standards of corporate governance, compliance and performance improvement.

Angela Leitch has worked at a senior level in local authorities for over two decades and has a thorough understanding of the context within which councils continue to operate. After eight years as Chief Executive of East Lothian Council she was appointed as Chief Executive to the newly formed Public Health Scotland in November 2019 which gave her a deeper insight and experience of working of NHS in Scotland. Angela stepped down from this role in March 2023. She is Convenor of the Scottish Local Authority Remuneration Committee which will report to Ministers in November 2023. In addition, Angela is a trustee on the Board of the Cyrenians and Chair of Youthlink Scotland.

Mike Neilson is a retired career civil servant who has worked at the UK Treasury, the European Commission, and the Scottish Government, with more than 15 years as a Director. He has in-depth experience of leading public service improvement and restructuring in a range of roles in Scottish Government, including in relation to digital services, housing, homelessness and public utilities. He brings extensive experience of different models of public service governance, and of financial and programme management, having had accountability for budgets in excess of £1 billion per annum, and for complex multi-agency programmes.

Derek Yule is a retired Depute Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources at Highland Council. He is a qualified accountant (CIPFA), who trained in the NHS and held several posts in the NHS and local government. He has been a member of several boards and working groups relative to local government at UK and Scottish level. He was awarded CIPFA Scotland Public Finance Professional of the year in 2019.

Appointment

The appointments will be for four years and will run from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2027.

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £302.15 per day for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Carol Evans is a Member of Skills Development Scotland for which she receives remuneration of £339 per day, for a time commitment of two days per month. She is also a Member of Food Standards Scotland for which she receives remuneration of £227 per day for a time commitment of four days per month.

Angela Leitch is Convenor of the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee for which she receives remuneration of £229.43 per day for a time commitment of six days per month.

Mike Neilson and Derek Yule 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.   

Carol Evans, Angela Leitch, Mike Neilson and Derek Yule have/has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Accounts Commission is the public body responsible for reporting on the performance and spending within Scotland’s 32 councils, 30 Integration Joint Boards and other local government joint boards.

The Accounts Commission plays a significant role in Scottish public life, providing independent assurance to citizens about their local councils’ use of public money and about how these councils are performing. The Commission holds councils and joint boards to account and ensure that they provide best value for their communities. The Commission operates independently of councils and of the Scottish Government, and reports in public.