This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Re-appontment to Welfare to Work taskforce
31/03/2003
John Milligan has been re-appointed as Chairman of the Scottish Welfare to Work Advisory Task Force for a further two years.
The Scottish Welfare to Work Task Force was first appointed in 1997. As well as offering advice to Ministers on welfare to work policy, a major focus of the group is encouraging employers to take on more people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mr Milligan was first appointed to the unpaid position of Chair of the Task Force in 2001.
Commenting on Mr Milligan's re-appointment, Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Minister Iain Gray said:
"I am delighted that John Milligan has accepted my offer of a re-appointment as the Chairman of the Welfare to Work Advisory Task Force in Scotland.
"John has a wealth of experience in industry, a strong interest in business start ups, and a personal understanding of the value of lifelong learning. His links with education and his own enthusiasm for social inclusion have been particularly valuable in driving forward our welfare to work agenda of offering opportuntities for all .
"I wish John continued success in the role over the next two years."
The Scottish Welfare to Work Advisory Task Force was first appointed in July 1997. The Chairman is also a member ex officio of the UK National Employment Panel. The Scottish Task Force is appointed by Scottish Executive Ministers.
Although The Scottish Welfare to Work Advisory Task Force is not an NDPB, Ministers have followed the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Guidance for the re-appointment of the Chairman, as if it was a lower Tier unpaid Advisory NDPB post. This is a first re-appointment for John Milligan who took up the post of Chairman in 2001.
Biographical details of John Milligan are attached. He is a member of the Labour Party, and has made recordable donations.
Further details can be accessed at www.newdealscotland.com
John Robert Milligan
John Milligan started his worked life as an apprentice fitter with the National Coal Board. Following a return to higher education, he became an engineer, and worked in a number of engineering posts until 1973, when he formed Strathclyde Process Engineering. He subsequently formed Atlantic Power and Gas in 1982
He remained Chairman of Atlantic Power and Gas until 2000, and until 2002 a non-executive member of the board of Petroleum Geo-Services (NYSE), which merged with Atlantic Power in 1998. He is also a non-executive Director of Aberdeen Development Capital.
Previously Chairman of Aberdeen Enterprise Trust and Chairman of Head Start Aberdeen, he has a strong interest in business start up companies. He maintains strong links with the education community as Chairman of the Board of Governors at Robert Gordon University, and as a sponsor of an Industry / Education Partnership with Kincorth Academy.