Public appointment: Chair appointed to Crown Estate Scotland Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, Gillian Martin MSP, today announced the appointment of Michael Stewart as Chair of the Crown Estate Scotland Board.

Chair

Michael Stewart brings extensive leadership, governance and strategic experience from across the public, private, military and international development sectors. He has held senior executive, advisory and board roles, leading organisations and programmes in complex, high-pressure and politically sensitive environments in the UK and overseas. His experience includes organisational transformation, commercial development, risk management, stakeholder engagement and the delivery of major programmes involving government, business and local communities. He brings a strong understanding of public service, accountability and the importance of balancing economic, social and environmental priorities. As Chair, Michael will support Crown Estate Scotland to deliver effective governance, responsible stewardship and long-term value for the people of Scotland. He brings an inclusive, collaborative and outcomes-focused approach, with a strong commitment to integrity, partnership and sustainable public benefit.

Michael has been a member of the Board of Crown Estate Scotland since November 2025 and has been an interim Co-Chair since April 2026. 

Appointment

This appointment will be for 3 years and will run from 31 July 2026 to 30 July 2029.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £400 per day for a time commitment of 104 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Michael Stewart does 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.   

Michael Stewart has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Crown Estate Scotland’s purpose is ‘investing in property, natural resources and people to generate lasting value for Scotland’. The organisation is at the heart of Scotland’s journey to net zero and has a key role to play in promoting sustainable development across a range of assets and sectors.

Crown Estate Scotland is a self-financing Statutory Public Corporation accountable to the Scottish Ministers and to the Scottish Parliament. It is responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of land and property - called the Scottish Crown Estate - including seabed, coastline, commercial property and rural estates. Revenue profits from the Scottish Crown Estate are transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund for public spending and capital profits are reinvested in the Estate.

The diversity of the property, rights and interests comprising the Scottish Crown Estate means that decisions on investment, use and sale of assets have the potential to deliver significant economic, social, and environmental benefits for communities and business across Scotland. Community wealth building, impact investing, blue carbon (carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems), the transition to decarbonised energy and preventing nature loss are all areas of focus and opportunity for Crown Estate Scotland.