Public appointment: members appointed to the South of Scotland Enterprise Board

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes MSP, today announced the appointment of Vivienne Cockburn, Emma Guy, Kirsten Hannay and Paul Winstanley as members of the South of Scotland Enterprise Board.

Members

Vivienne Cockburn is a charted accountant who has specialised in infrastructure development supporting the financial and commercial aspects of public sector investments in a wide variety of sectors including energy efficiency, housing, health, education and utilities. She holds a number of Director roles within the south of Scotland including Vice-Chair of Berwickshire Housing Association and Public Interest Director on the Board of High Wood Health (Project Co) Limited - the company responsible for designing, building, financing and maintaining the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Previously, she worked with Scottish Futures Trust as Director of Corporate Services and Low Carbon and latterly, Director, Management and Investments.

Emma Guy is a former elite mountain bike downhill athlete having represented GB at World Championships level and one of the founders of The Hub at Glentress, where she created the model for mountain bike trail centres across the UK and was at the centre of making the Tweed Valley the international biking destination it has become. More recently Ms Guy has been working with local community groups and businesses through various roles. She brings to the Board, the discipline and ambition needed to both compete as an elite athlete, and as a business entrepreneur, combined with a strong sense of collaboration.

Kirsten Hannay is the Managing Partner of Kirkdale Estate on the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway. Her varied role includes responsibilities for farming, forestry, rural diversification, native woodland creation and long-term property management. In addition, she has set up and runs a holiday let business and has created a holiday lodge park on the estate. Previously, Mrs Hannay established and ran a property management firm in Edinburgh and has over ten years’ experience in global publishing firms in London where she ran the global print marketing arm for The Economist Intelligence Unit, a division of The Economist Group.

Paul Winstanley is currently CEO of CENSIS, one of Scotland’s Innovation Centres focused on sensing, imaging and the internet of things (IoT). His early career was with UK Government, then with QinetiQ where he held a number of leadership roles including Technical Director and then CEO of QinetiQ Inc. Subsequently, Mr Winstanley founded and led a technology business. He is passionate about the development and delivery of innovative game-changing solutions and supporting the development of high performing teams.

Appointments

This appointments are for four years and run from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026.

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The appointments attract remuneration of £263.61 per day for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Mrs Cockburn, Ms Guy, Mrs Hannay and Mr Winstanley 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.

Mrs Cockburn, Ms Guy, Mrs Hannay and Mr Winstanley have had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background

South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) is the dedicated economic and community development agency, established by the Scottish Government, for the South of Scotland.  SOSE was established in direct response to the unique economic opportunities and challenges facing the South of Scotland and to deliver a fresh and locally focused approach.

SOSE was established through the South of Scotland Enterprise Act 2019 and started its operations on 1 April 2020. It works closely with Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council as part of ‘Team South of Scotland’, with all partners working closely to maximise resources and align plans for the good of the people, businesses, and communities of the South.