Public appointment: Members appointed to the Creative Scotland Board

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development today announced the appointment of Muslim Alim, Patrick Brown, Norah Campbell, Heather Stewart and Louise Wilson as Members of the Creative Scotland Board.

Members

Muslim Alim has been with the BBC since 2002, producing award-winning content across Radio, TV and Digital. Starting as a Researcher in Ents he went on to produce programmes for BBC Radio 1 and was the co-creator of digital youth brand BBC The Social where he commissioned multi-genre content including partnerships with News, a YouTube drama set in Edinburgh and a slew of viral hits across a social media portfolio. He joined the BBC Daytime commissioning team in 2017 and looks after some of the department's longstanding titles including ‘Homes Under The Hammer’ and ‘Antiques Road Trip’ as well as new commissions such as ‘The Travelling Auctioneers’ and ‘Clive Myrie’s Italian Road Trip’ - he is also Nations lead for BBC Daytime in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Alongside his day-to-day role as Commissioning Editor, Muslim is keen on discovering how evolving audience behaviours and new technologies can transform the landscape of content conception, production and distribution.

Patrick Brown is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). He has significant experience in the public, private and charity sectors. He is currently Head of Finance at Police Scotland. He was previously a Senior Civil Servant in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office fulfilling the role of Deputy Director of Finance. Patrick was listed as one of ICAS’ top Chartered Accountants’ under 35 in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and one of the top 100 young CA’s in 2019.

Norah Campbell is the Head of Arts for British Council in Scotland, working closely with Scottish, UK and international stakeholders and arts partners to facilitate international connections, nurture collaboration, and identify strategic opportunities that result in international Scottish arts initiatives. A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art and Strathclyde University, Norah has over 25 years of experience working in the Scottish arts sector, including programme delivery, venue management, education, international, consultancy, governance, art policy and strategy. Past roles have included Head of Skills for Creative Cultural Skills, Director of An Tuireann, Chair of Scottish Music Centre, Board Member of Puppet Animation Scotland, and Board Member of Arts Council of Wales.

Heather Stewart has been Creative Director at the British Film Institute (BFI) for the last 13 years and has a wealth of experience, leading on audience development across cinemas, festivals and streaming programming, as well as distribution and film sales in the UK and internationally. She has sat on the BFI Lottery committee to invest in film production and distribution and exhibition, been a member of the BFI Production Board developing new filmmakers, and Arts Council England Artists’ Film and Video Panel supporting moving image artists. Having been very involved in cultural exchange of film programmes internationally, she has been an expert member of the European Film Festivals Fund, Creative Europe Media Programme, and a Jury member at film festivals worldwide. Heather is now thrilled to be invited to bring this deep knowledge of film culture and wide range of experience to the Board of Creative Scotland.

Louise Wilson is a business leader with a career combining a breadth of commercial expertise and non-Executive experience in the public, private and charitable sectors. Her international career has spanned 30 years of commercial, marketing and sponsorship expertise gained in top tier blue chip corporate companies including Accenture, Proctor & Gamble and The Coca-Cola Company, as a Founder Entrepreneur of a global Agency and Director of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Louise has served as an active Non-Executive Director across diverse business, non-profit and charitable organisations spanning culture, education, heritage, visitor attractions, faith and diversity including, Historic Royal Palaces, the University of Nottingham, DRET Education Academy Trust, the International Women’s Forum, Harvard Leadership Trust, the Marketing Group of Great Britain, the Northern Ireland Office and The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. Louise is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was awarded a Fellowship in Advanced Global Leadership following her studies at Harvard University where she continues to be a guest lecturer which she enjoys alongside her portfolio career. Louise is passionate about the creative sector and creating cultural capital in the widest sense and looks forward to supporting Creative Scotland increasing the quantity and quality of opportunity for all to develop their full potential through arts and creativity.

Appointment

These appointments will be for four years and run from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2027.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attracts a remuneration of £218 per day for a time commitment of one day per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Muslim Alim, Patrick Brown, Norah Campbell, Heather Stewart and Louise Wilson 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.   

Muslim Alim, Patrick Brown, Norah Campbell, Heather Stewart and Louise Wilson have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here.

Creative Scotland enables people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life.

They distribute funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.

Further information on Creative Scotland is available at Home | Creative Scotland