Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Scottish Enterprise Board

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP, today announced the reappointment of Dr Poonam Malik; Dr Sue Paterson MBE and Karthik Subramanya as Members of the Board of Scottish Enterprise.

Members

Dr Poonam Malik is an entrepreneurial business strategist, life sciences leader and an investor in innovation. Dr Malik was appointed co-Chair of the ‘New Deal for Business Group by the First Minister, co-chairing the role with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy. She is also Chairperson, co-Founder and Board Director of Microplate Dx Ltd. A GlobalScot, she is a Board Member of Skills Development Scotland, a Governor/Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee of the Court at the University of Highlands and Islands and a Non-Executive Director and Trustee at the Firstport, a charity and B-Corp social enterprise, helping Scotland’s social entrepreneurs. Dr Malik is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a member of their Economy and Enterprise Committee.

 

Dr Sue Paterson MBE is an oil and gas professional with over 30 years’ experience including FTSE 100 executive roles. She worked in the Middle East, Far East and Europe before moving to Scotland in 1999. She is a qualified IoD Charted Director with over 20 years of non-executive director experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors including as a board chair. Her current role is helping to deliver just transition to a low carbon economy whilst safeguarding the environment. She sits on the Advisory Board of the International Energy Research Centre based in Ireland.

 

Karthik Subramanya is currently a Senior Advisor with Boston Consulting Group advising their energy and utilities clients on strategy and investments.  He served on the Board of Creative Scotland and is a Panel Member of the Competition and Markets Authority.  He is also a Trustee of Changing the Chemistry and a Director of Indian Arts Connection, delivering excellence and inclusion in arts in Scotland.  He previously held senior leadership positions in the utilities industry with SSE and in banking and financial services with Lloyds/HBOS.

Reappointments

The reappointments are for one year and run from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The reappointments attract remuneration of £13,528 per annum for a time commitment of 30 days per year.

Other Ministerial appointments

Dr Sue Paterson is a Member of the Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and receives £293.29 per day for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month.

 

Dr Poonam Malik is a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Skills Development Scotland and receives £339.00 per day for a time commitment of 2 days per month.

 

Karthik Subramanya 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.

Dr Poonam Malik, Dr Sue Paterson and Karthik Subramanya have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

As the national economic development agency for Scotland, Scottish Enterprise plays a critical role in helping to fulfil Scotland’s economic potential. Through its renewed focus on impactful investment, supporting world leading innovation and ensuring Scotland’s ability to attract international investment, Scottish Enterprise - working with key partners - is at the forefront of change to ensure the business community is well supported through the current economic challenges and beyond. The agency will play a key role in delivering Scottish Ministers’ ambitions for the future of Scotland’s economy as set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.