Public appointment: Members appointed to Bòrd na Gàidhlig

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Ms Somerville, today announced the appointment of Seonaidh Charity and Nicola NicThòmais as Board Members of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Members

Seonaidh Charity is a Gaelic secondary teacher in Inverness, teaching Gaelic as a language to both GME pupils andlearners, as well as subjects through the medium of Gaelic. As a former GME pupil himself, Seonaidh went on to study Gaelic at Glasgow University and gained a PGDE from Strathclyde University, and then worked as a classroom teacher and Curriculum Leader in Edinburgh. He has experience in delivering teacher education having previously worked as a Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer on Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s BA Gaelic and Education degree and UHI’s PGDE courses. Seonaidh was awarded a Master of Education (Med) Critical Enquiry with Distinction from UHI, having carried out research into improving speaking skills among GME pupils.

Nicola NicThòmais is a native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Skye, where she lives with her husband and their three young children. She has spent most of her working career at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language, latterly as Director of Corporate Affairs, and now runs her own virtual support business, Lasair Ltd.  Nicola brings a broad range of senior management experience, particularly in human resources, corporate governance and administration. She was a director on the Board of Fàs Mòr, currently serves as a member of the Church of Scotland’s Gaelic group and currently runs her local church’s youth group for Gaelic-speaking teenagers.

Appointment

The appointments will be for four years and will run from 21 January 2022 to 20 January 2026.

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £194 per day for a time commitment of three days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Seonaidh Charity and Nicola NicThòmais 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.   

Seonaidh Charity and Nicola NicThòmais have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is a statutory Non Departmental Public Body established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and is responsible for safeguarding the future of Gaelic in Scotland; for promoting the use and understanding of the Gaelic language and for developing and supporting Gaelic education and culture.