Information on the recruitment of a Chief Entrepreneur to the Scottish Goverment: FOI release

Information requested

In reference to the recently appointed role of Chief Entrepreneur to the Scottish Goverment, I would be grateful if you could clarify/provide information about the following:

1. Was this role advertised and if yes, when & where?

2. Do you have a shortlist of candidates who applied for this role and if yes, how many?

3. What are the working hours for this role?

4. What is the remuneration package for this role?

Response

I will answer each of your questions in turn:

1. Was this role advertised and if yes, when & where?
The Scottish Ministerial Code makes provision for Ministers to make appointments on the basis of merit. On this occasion, the Chief Entrepreneur was selected from a list of acclaimed professionals with exceptional experience in growing companies to scale, entrepreneurial ecosystem development and with influence necessary to command the respect of industry, investors and public sector leaders. The decision was made following discussions with key figures in industry, academia, the entrepreneurial ecosystem and public sector leaders.

2. Do you have a shortlist of candidates who applied for this role and if yes, how many?
There were no applications for the role however, as noted, a shortlist of exceptional candidates was considered.

3. What are the working hours for this role?
A maximum of 100 days per year.

4. What is the remuneration package for this role?
The role is based on a two year fixed-term contract worth £2,000 a day for up to 100 days per year. The role encompasses the work of the Chief Entrepreneur alongside advisory work on the Scottish Tech Ecosystem Review, the National Strategy for Economic Transformation and Mr Logan’s role in supporting the development of new policy in relation to widening access to entrepreneurship.

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