Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Accounts Commission for Scotland

The Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Mr Fitzpatrick, today announced the appointment of Jo Armstrong as Chair of the Accounts Commission for Scotland.

Chair

Jo Armstrong is an internationally recognised economist and finance expert having worked in the public, private and third sectors across the UK. Her executive career involved periods in the oil and gas and banking sectors and was a senior civil servant in the Scottish Executive/Government. She has researched and commented extensively on Scotland’s public finances which underpinned her time as budget adviser to Parliamentary Committees of the Scottish Parliament, including the Local Government Committee. Jo currently chairs the Wheatley Group and Hub West Scotland, giving her a clear understanding of Scotland’s financial, housing, infrastructure, and care challenges. She has extensive knowledge of economic regulation, is a member of the RSE’s Economy and Enterprise Committee and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors

Appointment

This appointment will be for four years and will run from 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2028.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £352.12 per day for a time commitment of 10.5 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Jo Armstrong is a Member of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, for which she receives remuneration of £15,826 per annum, for a time commitment of one day per week.

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.   

Jo Armstrong has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Accounts Commission is the public body responsible for reporting on the performance and spending within Scotland’s 32 councils, 30 Integration Joint Boards and other local government joint boards.

The Accounts Commission plays a significant role in Scottish public life, providing independent assurance to citizens about their local councils’ use of public money and about how these councils are performing. The Commission holds councils and joint boards to account and ensure that they provide best value for their communities. The Commission operates independently of councils and of the Scottish Government, and reports in public.