Public appointment: chair appointed to Food Standards Board Scotland

The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd MSP today announced the appointment of Heather Kelman as Chair of the Food Standards Scotland Board.

Chair - Heather Kelman

Heather Kelman has been a member of the Food Standards Scotland (FSS) Board since it was established in April 2015 and a member of the FSS Audit and Risk Committee from April 2020 and Nutrition Programme Board since July 2018.  She has 40 years’ experience of working in the public sector, the first 10 years as a dietitian, then as a strategic planner and senior manager within the NHS.

Heather worked closely with Scottish Government and other stakeholders on several health policy issues including the development of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 and Healthcare Associated Infection.

Health protection, promoting positive health and wellbeing and addressing health inequalities were a particular focus throughout her career.  Heather’s childhood in Scotland was closely associated with food manufacture, retail and agriculture and she continues to have a strong interest in these, alongside protecting the environment and doing conservation work.

Appointment

This appointment will be for five years and will run from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £301 per day for a time commitment of eight days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Heather Kelman is currently a member of Food Standards Scotland, for which she receives remuneration of £227 per day, for a time commitment of four days per month.  Heather will stand down from this role on 31 March 2022.

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.   

Heather Kelman has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Food Standards Scotland is based in Aberdeen with 280.5 FTE staff in total, including field-based operations and veterinary staff. Monitoring and enforcing hygiene and safety standards along the supply chain, as well as monitoring animal welfare at slaughter, are central to the work that they do.

They work very closely with Scotland’s 32 local authorities who have a key role in delivering our objectives on the ground, with responsibility for ensuring that food and feed businesses across Scotland are meeting their legal obligations and are producing and selling safe, authentic food.

They also work closely with a wide range of stakeholder organisations and with other public bodies in Scotland and beyond.