Public appointment: Members appointed to the Board of Consumer Scotland

The Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee MSP, today announced the appointment of Marion Mcdonald and Jane Hutchison as Members of the Consumer Scotland Board.

 

Members

Marion Mcdonald is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Board Advisor to commercial and not-for-profit organisations, specialising in those which exist to enable care, dignity, and long-term public value. Much of her focus in recent years has been on organisations which operate in complex and regulated environments, and are moving through growth, transformation, or increased sphere of influence. She is currently Non-Exec Board Vice Chair at Lifelink, a long-established mental-health and wellbeing charity, Non-Exec Board Member and Vice Chair of RemCom at Independent Living Fund Scotland, and a senior advisor at Cranfield Trust, an organisation which provides pro-bono management consultancy support to social welfare charities. Her background reflects a corporate career spent at senior levels in Management Consultancy and as a Business Leader, with a track record of defining and implementing transformational change in organisations around the globe, enabling them to consistently achieve better outcomes for those they serve. Marion also supports individuals and organisations through her own Change, Transformation and Executive Coaching practice.
Jane Hutchison is a customer‑focussed financial services professional, with a commitment to purpose‑driven organisations and a focus on inclusion and diversity.
Jane led the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce as President and Chair of the Board for 5 years, enabling businesses and consumers to prosper by advocating for and supporting the local business community.

 

Appointments

The appointments will be for 3 years and will run from 2 February 2026 to 2 February 2029.

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

 

Remuneration

Marion’s appointment attracts a remuneration of £237 per day, for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month, up to a maximum total fee of £7,100 per financial year. 

Jane’s appointment attracts a remuneration of £237 per day, for a time commitment of 2 days per month, up to a maximum total fee of £5,688 per financial year. 

 

Other ministerial appointments

Marion Mcdonald is a Non-Executive Director of the Independent Living Fund Scotland for which she receives remuneration of £208 per day, for a time commitment of 1 day per month.

Jane Hutchison 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.   

Marion Mcdonald and Jane Hutchison have had no political activity within the last five years.

 

Background

Consumer Scotland is the statutory body for consumers in Scotland. Established by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020, it is independent from the Scottish Government and accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Consumer Scotland’s purpose is to improve outcomes for current and future consumers and its strategic objectives are:

• to enhance understanding and awareness of consumer issues by strengthening the evidence base;

• to serve the needs and aspirations of current and future consumers by inspiring and influencing the public, private and third sectors; and

• to enable the active participation of consumers in a fairer economy by improving access to information and support.