Chair appointed to the board of Scottish Future Trust

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution Derek Mackay, today announced the appointment of Ian Russell as Chair of Scottish Future Trust.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution said, “We are delighted to have secured the services of Ian Russell to lead the board of the Scottish Futures Trust, building on the good foundation laid by Sir Angus Grossart the current chair. Ian brings with him relevant experience and business acumen to lead SFT with vision to ensure our strategic objectives are met and deliver improved productivity and value for money from infrastructure investment in Scotland.”

CHAIR

Ian Russell was previously an executive director of Scottish Power Plc for 12 years, initially as Finance Director and then as Chief Executive. For the past 10 years he has held a number of non-executive positions in a variety of commercial and public sector organisations.

APPOINTMENT

This appointment will last four years and run from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2021.

This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

RENUMERATION

This appointment is a part time post and attracts a remuneration of £18,432 per year, for a time commitment of 3 days per month. Ian Russell has chosen to waive his fee.

OTHER MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS

Ian Russell is Chair of the Disabled People's Employment Corporation (GB) Ltd. on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. This appointment is non-remunerated and has a time commitment of a half day per month.

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.  Mr Russell has held no political activity in the last five years.

BACKGROUND

SFT was established in 2008 to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure investment in Scotland by working collaboratively with public bodies & industry, challenging conventional processes and devising pioneering, commercially attractive programmes which lead to better value-for-money and ultimately improved public services. SFT’s impact ranges from developing future digital options to affordable housing.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a vibrant organisation which has delivered £146 million savings and benefits over the 2015-16 financial year. Added to the six previous years, SFT has now achieved a cumulative total of £923.7 million of savings and benefits. SFT is on course to reach its corporate objective of securing £500 million - £750 million of benefits and savings during its second, five-year corporate plan period from 2014-15 – 2018-19.

The Board comprises a Chair (currently Sir Angus Grossart), five Non-Executive Directors and two Executive Directors. SFT currently has a total staff complement of 77 (Full Time Equivalent). The Chair, will provide effective leadership to the Board and Organisation, ensuring that resources are used efficiently, comply with statutory requirements, and demonstrate high standards of corporate governance.

In conjunction with the new Chair, SFT is looking for two new board members, one a qualified accountant, the other must have experience of community stakeholder engagement. The advert for both of these members posts can be found on the website www.appointed-for-scotland.org from 25 November.

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