Public appointment: Members appointed to the Board of Independent Living Fund Scotland

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the appointment of Jan Savage, Linda Higginson and Simon Whyte as Members of the Board of Independent Living Fund Scotland.

Members

Jan Savage is the Executive Director of the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC), where she leads the organisation’s work as the public body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights across Scotland. She brings extensive senior leadership experience spanning human rights, equality, and public policy, with a strong focus on accountability and lived experience. Jan has worked closely with government, civil society, and public bodies to embed human rights principles into law, policy, and practice. Her career reflects a long-standing commitment to social justice, inclusion, and the rights of disabled people, and other groups whose rights are at risk. As a Board Member of the Independent Living Fund, she will contribute strategic insight and governance expertise to support independent living for disabled people.

Linda Higginson worked as a Bureau Manager in Citizens Advice Bureau for 27 years. She developed and provided an advice and information service to meet the needs of the whole community. She was a Lay Committee Member in the Northern Ireland Social Care Council for 6 years working to improve standards in social care. Linda continued to serve the community after her retirement from full time work completing 6 years as a school governor. She served on the Independent Press Standard Organisation's Readers Advisory Panel for 4 years. She is currently a Samaritan and a Lay Member on Queens University Belfast's Ethics Committee. She has a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector, serving on a number of boards, excellent communication skills, and has lived experience of caring for her parents. Linda has a Social Science Degree, and an MSc in Social and Community Development.

Simon Whyte brings over 20 years’ experience in education, including 12 years in senior leadership roles within the Additional Support Needs Sector. He is a passionate advocate for disabled young people, championing inclusion, equality and meaningful participation in education and community life. He has led initiatives to develop community-based work experience opportunities and increase meaningful curriculum engagement for disabled young people. His work is grounded in promoting inclusion, aspiration and equity, ensuring young people are supported to achieve positive outcomes beyond education. He brings a strong values led perspective that closely aligns with ILF Scotland's commitment to enabling disabled young people to live independently and remain connected to their communities.

Appointments

The appointments will be for 4 years and will run from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030.

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £2,496 for a time commitment of 12 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Jan Savage, Linda Higginson, and Simon Whyte 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.   

Jan Savage, Linda Higginson, and Simon Whyte have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Independent Living Fund Scotland (ILF Scotland) is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) and a company limited by guarantee which is wholly owned by Scottish Ministers. The organisation is funded through Grant in Aid by the Scottish Government and Department of Health in Northern Ireland.

Under an agreement between the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Government, ILF Scotland operate in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

ILF work in partnership with 37 Health and Social Care Partnerships/Trusts (HSCP/Ts) across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Its role is to provide a high-quality service to disabled people, supporting them to achieve positive independent living outcomes. They aim to ensure that disabled people have choice and control over how and when they are supported in all aspects of their daily lives, as well as facilitating real participation and inclusion for individuals within their local communities.