Public appointment: Members appointed to Tayside NHS Board

The Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson MSP today announced the appointments of David Cheape and Heather Dunk to Tayside NHS Board.

Members

David Cheape is an economics graduate at the University of Edinburgh and has spent the last 40 years working in finance in several sectors. A qualified chartered management accountant, he initially trained as a financial analyst with a division of Ciba Geigy Pharmaceuticals in both London and Switzerland before spending 9 years working with Ernst & Young primarily focusing on corporate restructuring in both their Dundee and Inverness practices. He then became the finance director of a privately owned group of hotels based in the Scottish Highlands before returning to Angus and working as an accountant and company secretary in the fish processing industry for a few years prior to joining C J Lang & Son Ltd, the Dundee based SPAR wholesaler and retailer, in 2003 as financial controller until the summer of 2023. Married with two grown up sons, he has been an elected member of Angus Council since 2016. He is also a Trustee Director of Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee Ltd.

Heather Dunk brings a wealth of experience to the Board having worked in the public and private sectors.  She had a career in the College sector for over 25 years culminating in 11 years as Principal and Chief Executive in Ayrshire.  Heather is a transformational leader with a strong commitment to engaging people and working strategically with partners to enable the development of organisations.  She is passionate about supporting the most vulnerable in our communities to reduce inequalities. Heather has an extensive knowledge of governance and has held board positions in the public and charitable sectors. She is Vice Chair of Court at Abertay University. Heather was awarded an OBE for Services to Further and Higher Education in 2014. Following induction training, Heather Dunk will become the Board’s Whistleblowing Champion Member from 1 April 2024.

Appointment

These appointments will be for 4 years and will run from 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2028.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £18,060 for a time commitment of 104 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

David Cheape and Heather Dunk 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.   

David Cheape is an elected member of Angus Council since 2016. He was appointed convenor of development standards in May 2022. He is an independent councillor,  ie independent of any political party.

Heather Dunk has not had any political activity in the last 5 years.

Background

NHS Tayside is responsible for meeting the health needs and improving the health and wellbeing of over 400,000 people living in Tayside, and provides a comprehensive range of primary, community-based, and acute hospital services for the populations of Angus, Dundee City and Perth & Kinross.