Public appointment: Members appointed to Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf MSP today announced the appointments of Mrs Joyce White OBE and Mr Neil McAleese as Members of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board.

Members

Joyce White has had a career which spans across public, private and voluntary sectors in senior executive and non-executive roles. As an experienced Chief Executive in West Dunbartonshire Council for over a decade, she was responsible for the overall management of Council operations and a wide range of key services, as well as working closely with Elected Members to ensure strong and visible leadership and direction. She is a qualified Accountant and has a professional qualification in Human Resources, as well as accreditation and certification in executive coaching, mentoring and mediating. Joyce has led leadership and organisational development programmes across the public, private and voluntary sector.  She has also served on various boards and committees in a non-executive role and is currently a Board member at Youthlink Scotland, Inspiring Scotland and CentreStage. In 2018, Joyce received an OBE for her services to local government, further education and Girl Guiding.

Neil McAleese has been a senior business manager within multiple public sector roles since 2014. He has previously worked on significant economic development projects across Ayrshire. Latterly he was the lead project manager responsible for the financial management, capital build, and operational planning of both the Early Learning and Childcare expansion and Universal Free Meal programmes within Facilities Management. Neil has a track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget and has played key roles in multiple business transformation projects. He is a strong communicator and accomplished practitioner with extensive experience in leading and managing: cross-functional teams, governance processes, cost rationalisation programmes, and controlling complex operational budgets. Having obtained a Masters in Economics and an MBA, Neil brings an extensive set of transferable skills in business, finance, operations and strategic management. He has also completed his Project Management certification and intends to apply his skillset in this non-executive role within NHS Ayrshire and Arran. He consistently strives for continuous improvement and is keen to maximise the opportunity his appointment presents to positively contribute to the ongoing success of the NHS, its staff and the Ayrshire communities it serves.

Appointments

Both appointments are for four years. Mrs White’s appointment is from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2027. Mr McAleese’s appointment is from 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2027

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £9,030 per annum for a time commitment of one day per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Mrs White and Mr McAleese do 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.   

Mrs White and Mr McAleese have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

NHS Ayrshire and Arran is responsible for meeting the health needs of around 400,000 people living in the area, and provides a comprehensive range of primary, community-based and acute hospital services for the population.