Public appointment: Members appointed to Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland Board

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Tom Arthur MSP, today announced the appointment of Beth-Anne McDowall and Alan Wright as Members of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland Board.

Members

Beth-Anne McDowall has campaigned extensively to enhance the rights of children and young people. She is Scotland’s youngest non-executive director, having been appointed to the board of Children’s Hearings Scotland at 19. Beth-Anne has been instrumental in several policy and legislative changes for children and young people including developing the Secure care National Standards, Hearings for Children, and being a Co-Chair at the Independent Care Review – which subsequently published The Promise – which is Scotland’s commitment to care-experienced people. She has won two national awards for her work and is committed beyond measure to protecting, promoting and enhancing the rights of Scotland’s most marginalised citizens. She brings a unique perspective with a raw authenticity – all founded on integrity.

Alan Wright has held a number of senior leadership roles across policing in the last 30 years and has significant experience of corporate governance and transformational change. He is currently a Director and Vice Chair of East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Cultural Trust where he provides strategic oversight and guidance to the management team. Alan is also a non-executive Board member at the Scottish Public Pensions Agency and an Associate Inspector with His Majesties Inspectorate of Constabulary (Scotland).

Appointment

These appointments will be for 4 years and will run from 28 July 2025 to 27 July 2029.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £252.13 per day for a time commitment of up to 15 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Alan Wright is a member of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency board, for which he receives remuneration of £260 per day, for a time commitment of 1 day per month.

Beth-Anne McDowall is a member of the Children’s Hearings Scotland board, for which she receives remuneration of £197.77 per day, for a time commitment of up to 2 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.   

Beth-Anne McDowall and Alan Wright have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (the Commission) protects and promotes the human rights of people with mental illness, learning disabilities, dementia and related conditions.  The Commission has a key statutory role in safeguarding individual rights and monitoring how the principles of mental health and incapacity legislation are applied in practice.  Through direct interventions in the care and treatment of individuals using mental health and learning disability services, providing guidance and conducting investigations, the Commission has a strong influence on the quality of care and treatment provided of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.