Public appointment: Interim Chair for the Board of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited

The Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth MSP, today announced the appointment of Morag McNeill as interim Chair of the Board of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). She also announced the extension of her Non-Executive Director appointment.

Non-Executive Director

Morag McNeill is a qualified lawyer who spent 25 years practising corporate law, working as a senior partner with McGrigors LLP. She then joined Forth Ports PLC as General Counsel. Since 2012 she has held a portfolio of Non-Executive Directorships and is the current Chair of Court at Heriot-Watt University, Vice Chair at Social Investment Scotland and board member at Scottish Event Campus Limited. At the end of December 2021, she stepped down as Vice-Chair at Aberdeen Harbour after nine years. She brings legal, governance skills and a knowledge of ports and harbours to the CMAL Board.

Interim Chair and extension

Ms McNeill is interim Chair of the Board from 1 January 2022 until 31 October 2022. The extension to her Non-Executive Director appointment runs from 1 May 2022 until 31 October 2022.

The interim Chair appointment and extension are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

As interim Chair of the Board, Ms McNeill will receive £372.00 per day for a time commitment of six days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Ms McNeill does not hold any other ministerial 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.

Ms McNeill has had no political activity within the last five years.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) owns the ferries, and the majority of the ports and harbours and infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving island and remote communities in Scotland. CMAL are wholly owned by the Scottish Government with Scottish Ministers the sole shareholders.

CMAL aim to provide efficient, cost-effective and safe ferries, harbours and port infrastructure for operators, communities and users in and around Scotland by:

• maintaining, improving and enhancing assets such as vessels and the land and property around piers and harbours
• seeking extra investment to invest in ferries and harbour facilities, making a real difference for people and businesses using these life line services and
• working with stakeholders within Scotland and the wider maritime community to be acknowledged as the principal provider of the most cost-effective yet innovative ferries and port infrastructure to the benefit of the island communities