Public appointment: Chair appointed to Ayrshire College Board

The Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Young Employment and Training today announced the appointment of Fiona McQueen CBE as Chair of the Ayrshire College Board.

Chair

Fiona McQueen’s career spans three decades of executive public sector leadership, primarily across the health system and latterly within the Civil Service where she had responsibility for oversight and governance across a number of areas. She was appointed as an Executive Nurse Director in 1993, holding a variety of nursing roles, including the Chief Nursing officer for the Scottish Government from 2014 until 2021. Fiona has been a non-executive Board member of Ayrshire College from 2018 and is passionate about the role that Colleges play in providing opportunities for young people to grow and develop as well as being essential for regional economic development. She was Vice Chair of the Drug Deaths Taskforce until July 2022 and was awarded the CBE for services to the NHS in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021.

Appointment

This appointment will be for four years and will run from 01 November 2022 to 31 October 2026.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £265 for a time commitment of two days per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Fiona McQueen is a Member of the Scottish Police Authority, for which she receives remuneration of £309 per day, for a time commitment of six days days 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.   

Fiona McQueen has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Ayrshire College is one of the largest colleges in Scotland, formed in 2013 from the merger of the former Ayr and Kilmarnock Colleges and the Ayrshire campuses of the former James Watt College. The College has around 840 staff across three main campuses in the towns of Ayr, Kilmarnock and Kilwinning, and a Skills Centre of Excellence located in Irvine Royal Academy. A new ‘Future Skills Hub’ in Kilwinning is due to be completed in 2022.

The ambition for Ayrshire College is to continue to be an inspirational place of learning where individuals can excel and realise their full potential. A place where businesses and communities can access skills, expertise and innovation that supports local and national economic development and inclusive growth. This is achieved through strong collaboration and partnership working and by investing in and valuing our staff and students.