Public appointment: Members appointed to the Crofting Commission

The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity today announced the appointment of Fiona McLeman and Stephen Webster as Members of the Crofting Commission

 

Members

Fiona McLeman previously worked as a solicitor for eight years, practising Crofting and Private Client law. This experience honed her teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills, which she will bring to the Crofting Commission, along with key knowledge of crofting law. She has a long-standing interest in rural policy matters. Fiona comes from a crofting background, having been raised on the family croft, which has given her a keen interest and understanding of crofting issues.

Having worked in the UK Investment industry for around 30 years, Stephen Webster will bring strong financial acumen to the role of Commissioner with the Crofting Commission. His direct experience of crofting comes from living in a crofting community in the Western Isles, and he recognises the unique opportunity crofting brings for rural communities in Scotland. Stephen’s skills and abilities will help to manage and monitor the risks which the Commission will face in the coming years.

 

Appointment

These appointments will be for 4 years and will run from 22 October 2025 to 21 October 2029.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

 

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £200.23 per day for a time commitment of 4.5 days per month.

 

Other ministerial appointments

Fiona McLeman and Stephen Webster 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.   

Fiona McLeman and Stephen Webster have had no political activity within the last five years.

 

Background

The Crofting Commission is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) which operates on a day-to-day basis independently of the Scottish Government, but for which Scottish Ministers are ultimately responsible.  The Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 created the Crofting Commission, which came into being on 1 April 2012, taking over from the Crofters Commission. The Commission’s general functions are: regulating crofting, re-organising crofting, promoting the interests of crofting, and keeping under review matters relating to crofting.

The Commission’s vision is that crofts and crofting communities continue to enhance the social, cultural, economic and environmental fabric of the crofting areas.  Its purpose is to regulate the crofting system fairly and reasonable to protect it for future generations.