Public appointment: Member appointed to the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the appointment of David Wilson as a Member of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Member

David Wilson has extensive experience of working in Government on economic matters, including close working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  During a 30 year career in the Scottish Government, he held Director-level roles in economic development, business energy and climate change, and fisheries. He led the initial development of the Scottish National Investment Bank. His early career was as an economist with a focus on economic development and regulation of energy. Outside of the Scottish Government, he was a Commissioner for the Scottish Fiscal Commission and Executive Director of the International Policy Institute at the University of Strathclyde.  He is currently Chair of Consumer Scotland.

Appointment

The appointment is for three years from 1 May 2023 until 30 April 2026.

The appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The appointment attracts remuneration of £419.00 per day for a time commitment of up to two days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Mr Wilson is Chair of Consumer Scotland and receives £307.00 per day for a time commitment of four days per month.

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.

Mr Wilson has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is an ambitious organisation with a broad remit from the Scottish Government that integrates economic and community development and plays a vital role in supporting businesses and communities across the Highlands and Islands to build a greener, fairer, sustainable future and help achieve the goals set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

The region comprises over half of the Scottish land mass (including 94 inhabited islands) and is home to around 470,000 people.

With 300 staff based across the region, HIE aims to lead sustainable regional growth, improve competitiveness and productivity, and build a fairer society across the Highlands and Islands. Their three priorities are to:

• grow successful, productive, and resilient businesses;
• create the conditions for growth; and
• build strong, capable, and resourceful communities.

HIE’s vision is for the Highlands and Islands to be a highly successful, inclusive, and prosperous region in which increasing numbers of people choose to live, work, study, invest and visit.