Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Scottish Police Authority Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans today announced the reappointment of Grant Macrae and Caroline Stuart as Members of the Scottish Police Authority Board.

Members

Grant Macrae brings strong practical experience in public sector accounting, accountability and risk. Grant is a member of ICAS and CIPFA. For many years Grant was appointed by the Accounts Commission and Audit Scotland to audit a wide range of local and general government bodies, several of which operated with substantial risk profiles across many locations. Grant has extensive experience of corporate governance in the private, public and not for profit sectors and has been involved in the development of international public sector accounting standards.

Caroline Stuart started her career in the city of London as an Investment Analyst. Caroline returned to Scotland and after some years in industry moved to Oracle where she was a global industry adviser advising companies and governments on how to apply technology to their business model for efficiency growth and increased productivity. Caroline is now an independent consultant and sits on various Board Committees.

Reappointment

These reappointments will be for two years and will run from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025.

These reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These reappointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £309 per day for a time commitment of six days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Mr Macrae is a Member of David MacBrayne Limited, for which he receives remuneration of £320 per day, for a time commitment of three days per month.

Ms Stuart is a Member of the Scottish Funding Council, for which she receives remuneration of £12,000 per annum, for a time commitment of two days per month. Ms Stuart is also the Chair of Dumfries and Galloway College, for which she receives £22,000 per annum, for a time commitment of eight days per month.

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.   

Mr Macrae and Ms Stuart have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 created the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and set out its five core functions:

to maintain the Police Service;

to promote the policing principles set out in the 2012 Act;

to promote and support continuous improvement in the policing of Scotland;

to keep under review the policing of Scotland; and

to hold the Chief Constable to account for the policing of Scotland.

These five functions demonstrate the dual, integrated responsibilities of the SPA: its oversight role in scrutinising policing in Scotland and holding the Chief Constable to account; and its supportive role in maintaining and improving the police service. The SPA is also responsible for the management and delivery of Forensic Services in Scotland.

The Authority aims to increase public trust and confidence in the policing of Scotland in the way it carries out its functions and through the quality of its governance arrangements.