Public appointment: members reappointed and extended to the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes MSP, today announced the reappointment of Amanda Bryan and Belinda Oldfield and the extension to the appointments of Paddy Crerar CBE and Professor Donald MacRae OBE as Members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Members

Amanda Bryan is a native of the Highlands and Islands and lives near Beauly with her family. Born and raised in Caithness, she has also lived and worked in Orkney, Lewis and Ross-shire. Ms Bryan has a background in rural and community development with an emphasis on land use and management and land reform. She is Chair of Crown Estate Scotland, Executive Director of the Scottish Forestry Trust and a part time lecturer at the Scottish School of Forestry, which is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

Belinda Oldfield is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. She has a strong business, risk, revenue and asset management background gained in both the private and public sectors. She is committed to the need for infrastructure to support economic growth in the Highlands and Islands. She is also a Non-Executive Director of Northern Ireland Water, where she chairs the Risk Committee, a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland Public Voice Committee, and a co-opted member of the Strathclyde University Audit and Risk Committee. She is past President of the Institute of Water Scottish Area, was Chair of the Institute of Water Scottish Area Committee and Chair of the Scottish Water Industry Reporting, Performance and Information Group until May 2020.

Paddy Crerar CBE is the Chair of the Crerar Hotel Group. In addition, he served on the Board of VisitScotland as well board roles at community enterprise and co-operative companies in the Hebrides. He owns and operates two agricultural enterprises and has an Oban based marine tourism business. He is passionate about developing opportunities and ambitions within Scotland, particularly the Highlands and Islands. He was born and raised in Oban and retains strong family, business and personal ties throughout the Highlands and Islands. Mr Crerar is also a Patron of Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland and Crerar Trust charities and a near two decade member of the global CEO network, YPO.

Professor Donald MacRae OBE is the former Chief Economist of Lloyds Banking Group Scotland. Born and brought up in the Black Isle, he is an experienced director and board member in both public and private sectors with broad and deep expertise in corporate governance, economic analysis and strategy formation. He was an Executive Director of Lloyds TSB Scotland plc and a Non-Executive Director of TSB Bank plc. Professor MacRae was a Member of the boards of Scottish Homes, Scottish Enterprise, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He is also Chair of the Water Industry Commission of Scotland (WICS) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE).

Reappointments and extensions

Ms Bryan and Ms Oldfield have been reappointed for two years from 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2024. Mr Crerar and Professor MacRae have had their appointments extended for one year from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

The reappointments and extensions are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

Members of the HIE Board receive £419.00 per day for a time commitment of two days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Ms Bryan is Chair of the Board of Crown Estate Scotland. She receives £19,188 per annum for a time commitment of one day per week.

Professor MacRae is Chair of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. He receives £350.00 per day for a time commitment of two days per week.

Ms Oldfield and Mr Crerar do not hold any other ministerial 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.

Ms Bryan, Ms Oldfield, Mr Crerar and Professor MacRae have had no political activity within the last five years.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

HIE is the economic and community development agency for an area covering more than half of Scotland’s land mass, stretching from Shetland in the north to the southern tip of Argyll and including almost 100 inhabited islands. In collaboration with partners in the public, private and third sectors, HIE supports the delivery of Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation, reaffirming the Scottish Government’s commitment to create a more successful country, and make the region an attractive place to live, work, study and visit.