Public appointment: Non-Executive Directors appointed to the Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, today announced the appointment of Stuart Cresswell and Mark Tarry as Non-Executive Directors of the Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) Board.

In making these appointments, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said

“I welcome these appointments as they will bring substantial experience and expertise to the Board of CMAL as it works to deliver the quality-of-service Scottish Ministers and communities expect to receive.

However, there is more we still need to do to ensure that CMAL and other Boards represent people with an islands background, but also other protected characteristics, including having more women on these Boards.

I understand why calls will continue for greater island representation on the Boards of ferries bodies. I will continue to press the Chairs of all the transport bodies with relationships with island services to do more to encourage applications from residents who can bring experience of living and working on islands to Board appointments, along with the required skills, knowledge, and experience.

I am pleased that CMAL and David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) currently have island representatives on their Board. Both bodies will continue to work hard to explore all options to encourage island residents to apply, to ensure the communities they serve are represented at the highest levels of the organisation.”

Non-Executive Directors

Stuart Cresswell is a port industry professional who until 2023, served in a Senior Leadership role at Associated British Ports (ABP). This included full operational responsibility for all of ABP’s port operations in Scotland including the Port of Troon. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a retained advisor for ABP on their new Freeport development at Nigg. His previous roles include immediate past Chair of the British Ports Association's Scottish Ports Committee, Non-Executive Director of the Scottish Shipping Benevolent Association, and ex-President of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce. Stuart is also co-founder of TimberLINK which has shipped timber from ports and jetties across the West Coast of Scotland. Stuart holds an MBA from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Mark Tarry has worked for 33 years at executive level across the rail industry. Starting as a Finance Graduate, before qualifying as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He has built a career in the rail industry and has extensive experience of leadership across sponsorship, operations and maintenance, customer service and supply chain and logistics, holding several executive appointments. Having recently retired from rail, Mark is building a non-executive portfolio with a particular focus and strength in the role of Chair of Audit and Risk Committees across multiple sectors including, Health, Education, and Skills.

Appointments

The appointments are for three years and will run from 01 November 2024 to the 31 October 2027. The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The appointments attract remuneration of £343.90 per day for a time commitment of three days per month.

Other Ministerial appointments

Stuart Cresswell and Mark Tarry 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.

Stuart Cresswell and Mark Tarry have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

CMAL owns ferries, ports, harbours, and infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving the west coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary, and the Northern Isles. It is wholly owned by the Scottish Government with Scottish Ministers the sole shareholder. It has an executive management team and support staff at headquarters in Port Glasgow. It aims to provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective ferries, harbours and port infrastructure for operators, communities, and users in and around Scotland.

Scottish Ministers appoint the Board of CMAL to represent their interests as the owners of the company. The role of the Chair and Non-Executive Directors is to ensure that the company is being run in line with Ministerial expectations.

All CMAL Board members are required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the needs and aspirations of rural and island communities served by CMAL.