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Environment agency appointments
25/01/2008
Minister for Environment Michael Russell today announced the appointment of two new board members for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
He said:
"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Bob Downes and Julie Sturrock as new board members of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
"I am sure both Bob and Julie with their wide ranging experience in business and local government and their knowledge of environment issues will make a valuable contribution to the SEPA board as it embraces the new challenges of the future."
Bob Downes is Director of Openreach Scotland. Openreach is part of the BT Group of companies , providing the 'last mile' of network to telephone and Internet Service Providers. Bob has been with BT Group since 1999 where he has had a range of leadership roles in strategy and retail. Bob is a member of the Glasgow University Business School Advisory Board and an adviser to a number of small technology businesses.
He was also:
- A member of the Sir Patrick Carter Review on PAYE for small business
- An executive member of the International Council for the Economic Development in Washington DC
- A founder member of the Competitiveness Institute in Barcelona
- A founder member of the Urban Community Investment Trust
- A board member of the Scottish Arts Council
- An adviser to the Flax Trust in Belfast
- A board member of the Scottish Ensemble
- A board member of the Wise Group in Glasgow
- He was involved in the support to Scottish Rugby, Hampden, the Euro 2004 bid and also the successful BT involvement with the London Olympics 2012 bid
Julie Sturrock has been a councillor in Dundee since 1998 and until recently and was involved in environmental issues and sustainability for most of that time.
Her posts of responsibility have included:
- Being leader of the Council (1999-2003)
- Convenor of Environmental Services and Sustainability (1996-1999; 2003-2007)
- She was also convenor of the Protective Services Forum at COSLA for four years and for nine years was a member of both SEPA East Board and Forward Scotland
- She was chair of Sustain Dundee Environmental Trust and vice chair of the Dundee Solar City Project
- She is now a Board member of Scottish National, Keep Scotland Beautiful, SERA and the International Resources and Recycling Institute
- She was awarded an OBE in 2007 for services to the environment and sustainable development in Scotland
Neither Bob Downes or Julie Sturrock hold any other ministerial appointments.
These appointments will be for four years and will run from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011.
The post's are part-time and attract a remuneration of £262 per day for a time commitment of up to two days per month.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) with a Board appointed by, and accountable to, Scottish Ministers. SEPA was established by the Environment Act 1995 and became operational on 1 April 1996. The Environment Act 1995 also sets out SEPA's powers and responsibilities. SEPA employs around 1300 staff in a wide range of occupations and specialisms across 22 local offices. These include chemistry, ecology, environmental regulation, hydrology, communications, quality control, engineering, planning, business support and management functions.
These Ministerial public appointment were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice.
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 (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Julie Sturrock is a member of the Labour Party.