Public appointment: Member reappointed to Public Health Scotland Board

The Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs , Maree Todd MSP, today announced the reappointment of Carron McDiarmid as a Member of the Public Health Scotland Board.

Member

Carron McDiarmid is Chair of the Staff Governance Committee in Public Health Scotland and is a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee. With 35 years of experience in public service, mostly in local government and in the Highlands, she has held both front-line and leadership roles across a range of services. She has two post-graduate degrees focusing on participation and poverty, and she brings an understanding of how multiple factors impact on public health. Working at a senior level in organisational change and redesign, Carron has established evidence-based and partnership review processes which support scrutiny and challenge. In her most recent executive role, Carron was Executive Chief Officer for Communities and Place in Highland Council. Carron is the independent Chair of the Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership.   

Reappointment

This reappointment will be for 4 years and will run from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2030.

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £312 per day for a time commitment of 1 day per week.

Other Ministerial appointments

Carron McDiarmid 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.   

Carron McDiarmid has had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background

Public Health Scotland is the lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland. Its focus is on tackling health inequalities and improving life expectancy, by preventing disease, prolonging healthy life and promoting health and wellbeing.

Public Health Scotland employs around 1100 staff and  received £67.8 million of baseline funding as part of the Scottish Government’s Budget for 2025-26.
Scottish Ministers and COSLA are joint partners in the strategic planning and performance review processes for Public Health Scotland. This joint sponsorship arrangement, which is unique for a public body in Scotland, reflects the crucial role that local government has in creating the conditions for wellbeing and health across Scotland.