Public appointment: Chair reappointed to Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board

The Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans reappointed Janie McCusker as Chair of Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board on 8 January 2024.

Chair

Janie McCusker has a career spanning 40 years, serving with the Royal Air Force for 22 years and the remainder of this career working in International Organisations, including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations, recently completing a term of office with UNICEF as Principal Adviser for Security Coordination. Janie is a member of the Board of Colleges Scotland and previously served as Chair of West Lothian College Regional Board. In March 2020, Janie was appointed as Chair of NHS Forth Valley. Janie has experience of establishing and leading departments in multi-cultural environments and has extensive knowledge and experience of governance, risk management, change management and mediation. Janie holds a MA in Conflict Resolution and is a member of the Institute of Leadership and Management.

Reappointment

This reappointment will be for a maximum period of up to 2 years and will run from 8 January 2024 to 7 January 2026.

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £330 per day for a time commitment of 2 days per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Janie McCusker is Chair of NHS Forth Valley, for which she receives remuneration of £31,772 per year, for a time commitment of 3 days per week. This appointment will end on 29 February 2024.

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.   

Janie McCusker has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board is responsible for securing the coherent provision of high quality fundable higher and further education in Glasgow’s colleges. They are also responsible for the:

• strategic planning of college provision across the Glasgow region;
• monitoring of performance; and
• allocation of funding to colleges within the Glasgow region.

The Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board was established as part of the Scottish Government’s ambitious programme of college reform. The Post-16 Education (Scotland) 2013 Act set up a new regional structure to meet the specific needs of learners, employers and the economy.

The Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board is responsible for regional planning for the three Glasgow Colleges: City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Clyde College and Glasgow Kelvin College. Together, they have made big changes to governance and accountability. Their focus is on successful outcomes for students and employers.