Public appointment: Member appointed to Consumer Scotland Board

The Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance, Tom Arthur, today announced the appointment of Lesley Halliday as a Member of the Consumer Scotland Board.

Member

Lesley Halliday has a background in utilities, having previously worked as Head of Regulation for a FTSE 100 energy company (SSE Plc). Through that role, Lesley has developed a particular interest in consumer protection issues within regulated industries. Lesley is also a qualified lawyer, most recently advising within SSE’s in-house competition law team. Lesley currently sits on a number of Boards and Committees, including Scottish Water’s Independent Customer Group and the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel. The rest of Lesley’s time is currently taken up by her young children aged 5 and 3.

Appointment

This appointment will be for four years and will run from 14 November 2023 to 13 November 2027.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £230 per day for a time commitment of two days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Lesley Halliday 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.   

Lesley Halliday has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Consumer Scotland is the statutory body for consumers in Scotland. Established by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020, it is independent from the Scottish Government and accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Consumer Scotland’s purpose is to improve outcomes for current and future consumers and its strategic objectives are:

• to enhance understanding and awareness of consumer issues by strengthening the evidence base;
• to serve the needs and aspirations of current and future consumers by inspiring and influencing the public, private and third sectors; and
• to enable the active participation of consumers in a fairer economy by improving access to information and support.