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Scottish Enterprise
21/01/2009
Scottish Ministers have appointed Crawford Gillies as the new chairman of Scottish Enterprise.
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, said:
"The appointment of Crawford Gillies is an excellent development for Scotland and the Scottish economy at a time when we all face the unprecedented challenges caused by the global downturn.
"With a wealth of global business experience as an inspiring, energetic leader of people, Crawford is a world class appointment for the role.
"He has experience of leading new-start technology ventures, participating in the board of a major financial institution and creating a new leadership programme for young people in Scotland with ambition. He will do an excellent job.
"Scottish Enterprise is at the sharp end of delivering our economic recovery programme. I know that, alongside the strong board, management team and staff we already have in place, Crawford's dynamic leadership will be crucial in helping businesses through the current economic difficulties.
"I look forward to working together closely with Crawford and the whole Scottish Enterprise team to ensure Scotland is ready to deliver economic recovery.
"I also put on record the thanks of the Government for the crucial work done by outgoing Chairman Sir John Ward, who we wish well for the future."
Crawford Gillies said:
"I am excited to be taking on this important and challenging role. The government has laid out a clear economic direction with some ambitious goals. Scottish Enterprise has a critical, focussed role to play in helping achieve these goals.
"I know there are many outstanding people at Scottish Enterprise. I look forward to working with them, the government and importantly, the wider Scottish business community to help create more successful Scottish businesses."
The appointment is for a term of three years and four months, from February 14, 2009 to June 30, 2012. The appointment is non-pensionable and attracts an annual remuneration of £38,721 for a commitment of 1.5 days per week.
This Ministerial public appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland.
Scottish Enterprise is the Scottish Government's main agency for economic development in North East, Central and Lowland Scotland. The Scottish Government provides Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise with a clear strategic direction through the Government Economic Strategy.
Crawford Gillies holds no other public appointments.
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. Crawford Gillies has not engaged in any political activity within the last five years.
Biography
Crawford S. Gillies, Chairman of Control Risks Group Holdings Ltd, Hammonds LLP and Touch Bionics Ltd; and a Non-Executive Director of Standard Life Plc. After graduating with an LL.B. (Hons) from Edinburgh (1977) and an MBA at Harvard Business School(1983), Crawford Gillies joined Bain, the international management consultants and became a partner in 1988. He has worked with clients throughout Europe in a wide variety of sectors on issues of strategy, organisation and performance improvement. From 1996 to 2001 he was responsible for Bain & Company's business in the UK and assumed leadership of the firm's European business from 2001 until he stepped down at the end of 2005. He is currently a Non Executive Director of Standard Life plc, and Chairman of Control Risks Group Holdings Ltd., Hammonds LLP, the international law firm, and Touch Bionics, a fast growing Scottish based life sciences company. He was an independent member of the DTI's Management Board and Strategy Board from 2002 to 2007, and chaired the DTI's Audit and Risk Committee from 2003 to 2007. He is a former Chairman of CBI London.
Crawford Gillies is committed to developing Scottish talent internationally. He is a long-standing member of SE's International Advisory Board and has chaired the Saltire Foundation since 2007.
Current Chair
Sir John Ward was re-appointed by Ministers of the previous administration to a second term from February 2007. A public appointee can only be reappointed to the same role once. His chairmanship will end on February 13, 2009.
Role of New Chair
The Chair is responsible to the Scottish Ministers to ensure that SE's policies and actions support the wider strategic policies of the Scottish Ministers. The Chair has leadership responsibility for formulating the Board's strategic role and ensuring that it fulfils that role effectively, and shares with other Board members the corporate responsibility for ensuring that SE fulfils the aims and objectives set by the Scottish Ministers, and that its affairs are conducted with probity.
Length of term
The appointment is for a term of 3 years and four months, from February 14, 2009 to June 30, 2012.
After the initial term of appointment and subject to evidence of effective performance and to fulfilling the skills, knowledge and personal qualities required at the time of reappointment, the successful candidate may be considered by Ministers for reappointment to a second term.
The SE Board
The SE Board comprises: The Chair, the Chief Executive, and ten other board members appointed by Ministers.
Public appointments process
Candidates were interviewed by a selection panel of five members. The Panel, chaired by the Director-General for the Economy and Chief Economic Adviser Dr Andrew Goudie, comprised of two external members, Lord Robert Smith and Zoe van Zwanenberg, a senior civil servant, David Wilson, and Robin Jordan, the OCPAS assessor. The Panel assessed the candidates against the essential and desirable qualities in the person specification and reported to Ministers. The successful candidate was chosen by Ministers in January 2009. In all the process, including advertising, cost £24,239.41.