Public appointment: Member reappointed to Risk Management Authority

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs today announced the reappointment of Jim Farish as a Member of the Risk Management Authority.

Member

Jim Farish joined the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) after a 20 year career in the construction industry. During his time with the SPS he has held a number of senior roles in establishments and Headquarters. Jim was a Governor in Charge of four Prisons including heading the project team responsible for opening HMP Grampian in 2014. During his time with the SPS Jim was seconded to HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland as Deputy Chief Inspector. He led the project to update the inspection standards, ensuring that the Human Rights that underscored them were clearly articulated within each of the standards used for the inspection of prisons in Scotland. During the last four years Jim have enjoyed contributing to the development of the Risk Management Authority (RMA) as a board member and more recently as Vice Convener.

Reappointment

This reappointment will be for 4 years and will run from 27 May 2025 until 26 May 2029.

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £235.88 for a time commitment of no more than 15 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Jim Farish 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.   

Jim Farish has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Risk Management Authority (RMA) was established in 2005 under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2023.

The RMA’s strategic purpose is to make Scotland safer by reducing serious harm.  This is broken down into four strategic aims are as follows:

• develop evidence-based, defensible and ethical risk assessment and management;
• set and raise standards to continuously improve the quality of risk assessment and management;
• deliver specialised training to improve skills, knowledge and confidence in risk assessment and management; and
• To support justice agencies and influence policy in risk assessment and management.