Public appointment: Chair reappointed to the board of Children’s Hearings Scotland

The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise today announced the reappointment of Katharina Kasper as Chair of the board of Children’s Hearings Scotland.

Chair

Katharina Kasper is an experienced board chair and non‑executive director with a strong record in strategic leadership, governance and organisational transformation across Scotland’s public sector. As chair of Children’s Hearings Scotland, she has provided steady, values‑driven leadership in a complex statutory environment, ensuring effective delivery of core functions while supporting reform and long‑term sustainability. Katharina is also chair of NHS Lanarkshire and a board member of the Scottish Police Authority, where she leads the Complaints and Conduct Committee, offering independent oversight of police complaints handling, professional standards and organisational culture. She brings extensive expertise in governance, audit, risk management and financial oversight, informed by a senior executive background in financial services and professional advisory roles. Katharina is committed to high standards of integrity, accountability and public value across all her roles.

Reappointment

This reappointment will be for 4 years and will run from 8 April 2026 until 7 April 2030.

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £255.92 per day for a time commitment of up to 8 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Katharina Kasper is a Member of the Scottish Police Authority for which she receives remuneration of £325 per day, for a time commitment of 6 days per month. She is also Chair of the Lanarkshire NHS Board for which she receives remuneration of £67,236 per year, for a time commitment of 156 days per annum.

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 5 years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Katharina Kasper has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) recruits, trains and supports around 2,200 volunteers across Scotland. The volunteer roles are panel members and Area Support Team (AST) members. Panel members make legal decisions with, and for, children and young people in children’s hearings, and AST members provide support and guidance to those panel members