Public appointment: Chair appointed to Grampian NHS Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf MSP today announced the appointment of Mrs Alison Evison as Chair of Grampian NHS Board.

Chair

Mrs Alison Evison served as President of COSLA from 2017-22, leading a diverse organisation and developing partnerships across the Public and Third Sectors.  She represented Local Government in the formulation of the Covid response and recovery strategies at a national level.  In addition, Alison served as Chair of the Improvement Service during a time of organisational change.  She is recognised for supporting diversity in office and for encouraging inclusion for all.  Alison was honoured to have been appointed by care experienced young people in Aberdeenshire as their champion.  She has held office as Co-Leader of Aberdeenshire Council and continues to serve as a local councillor, engaging regularly with people across the communities of the Mearns and focusing on community planning with local partners.

Appointment

Mrs Evison’s appointment will be for four years and will run from 10 October 2022 to 9 October 2026.

The appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £35,489 per annum for a time commitment of three days per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Mrs Evison 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.   

Mrs Evison was a Scottish Labour Party Councillor from 2017 to 20022.  She served as President of COSLA, nominated by the COSLA Labour Group, also between 2017 and 2022.  She resigned from the Scottish Labour Party in March 2022, standing and obtaining office as an Independent Councillor in May 2022. 

Background

Through hospital and local based services, NHS Grampian is responsible for meeting the health needs of the half-million population spread over 3,000 square miles of city, town, village and rural communities.  Since April 2016 NHS Grampian’s fully integrated Health and Social Care Partnerships became fully operational across their three Local Authority areas of Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray and NHS Grampian works closely with the three Integration Joint Boards covering these areas. NHS Grampian is also very closely linked with both the University of Aberdeen and The Robert Gordon University, especially in the fields of research, workforce planning and training.