Public appointment: Chair and Members reappointed to Consumer Scotland Board

The Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance, Mr Arthur, today announced the reappointment of David Wilson as Chair and Nick Martin, Angela Morgan and James Walker as Members of Consumer Scotland Board.

Chair

David Wilson has extensive experience of working in Government on economic matters. During a 30-year career in the Scottish Government, he held Director-level roles on Business, Energy and Climate Change. He led the initial development of the Scottish National Investment Bank. His early career was as an economist, with a focus on energy and economic regulation, including being Deputy Director General for Scotland of the Office of Electricity Regulation. Outside the Scottish Government, he was a Commissioner on the Scottish Fiscal Commission and Executive Director of the International Public Policy Institute at the University of Strathclyde. He is currently a Board member of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Members

Nick Martin brings strong commercial experience in strategic planning, finance and governance. He has chaired Consumer Scotland’s audit and risk committee from the outset. Previously a board member at the Scottish Environment Protection agency, where he also chaired the audit committee, he is currently and independent member of the Scottish Canals’ audit committee, a trustee of Glasgow charity GEM Workspaces, and a non-executive director of Edinburgh-based retailer Beer52 Ltd. In his executive career, Nick was latterly Head of Corporate Development at FTSE 100 engineering concern The Weir Group PLC.

Angela Morgan completed her professional qualification and master’s degree in social work and progressed her career in the Third Sector with a focus on members of our communities who are most impacted by inequality and least likely to have their heard. She held senior roles in SAMH and then headed up Families Outside and Includem. Angela has been involved in strategic reviews into the policy areas of children and families and justice. Most recently as Independent Chair of the Review of Additional Support for Learning Legislation. She brings her commitment to the interests of consumers in vulnerable circumstances to her role in Consumer Scotland as well as her experience of and interest in good governance.

James Walker is the founder and former CEO for Resolver that has helped consumer to recover £4 billion for free. James has since created a cashback App helping consumer to save money. As well as Consumer Scotland, James sits on the panel of the Civil Justice Council, a non-executive for the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman and on the Consumer Panel for the Civil Aviation Authority and Office of Rail Road. James is also the CEO for two start ups focused on helping to empower consumers.

Reappointment

The reappointment for David Wilson will run from 1 July 2024 to 30 November 2028. The reappointment for Nick Martin will run from 1 July 2024 until 30 November 2027, with Angela Morgan and James Walker’s reappointment starting on 1 July 2024 until 21 March 2029.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The reappointments are part-time. The Chair attracts a remuneration of £310 per day for a time commitment of 50 days per annum. The Members attract a remuneration of £230 per day for a time commitment of 2 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

David Wilson is a Member of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, for which he receives remuneration of £419 per day, for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month.

Nick Martin, Angela Morgan and James Walker 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.   

David Wilson, Nick Martin, Angela Morgan and James Walker have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Consumer Scotland is the statutory body for consumers in Scotland. Established by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020, it is independent from the Scottish Government and accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Consumer Scotland’s purpose is to improve outcomes for current and future consumers and its strategic objectives are:

• to enhance understanding and awareness of consumer issues by strengthening the evidence base;
• to serve the needs and aspirations of current and future consumers by inspiring and influencing the public, private and third sectors; and
• to enable the active participation of consumers in a fairer economy by improving access to information and support.