Public appointment: Members appointed to the NatureScot Board

The Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, Lorna Slater MSP, today announced the appointment of Margaret Davidson, Professor Jaboury Ghazoul and Dr Jill Robbie as Members of the Board of NatureScot.

Members

Margaret Davidson spent 27 years as a Councillor with Highland Council having served as Council Convener for seven years until 2022.  She has extensive community experience particularly in land reform, community ownership and social care.  She is also the owner of a family business on Loch Ness.

Professor Jaboury Ghazoul is Professor of Ecosystem Management at ETH Zurich and Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh.  His research is on the ecology, management, and conservation of forests and human-dominated landscapes, including agricultural systems.  In addition to ecological approaches, he uses participatory modelling methods to work with a variety of land-based actors and policy makers to develop solutions for contested environmental issues.

Dr Jill Robbie is a Senior Lecturer in Private Law at the University of Glasgow.  Her work as a researcher has focused on property law and sustainability and she has particular experience in water.  Dr Robbie is a member of the Human Rights Advisory Forum of the Scottish Land Commission, where she has been working on carbon markets, land ownership and public interests.

Appointments

The appointments are for four years and run from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2026.

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The appointments attract remuneration of £320.22 per day for a time commitment of 30 days per year.

Other Ministerial appointments

Margaret Davidson, Professor Jaboury Ghazoul and Dr Jill Robbie 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.

Margaret Davidson was an Independent Councillor with Highland Council.  She was Council Convener from 2015 to 2022.

Professor Jaboury Ghazoul and Dr Jill Robbie have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

NatureScot is an Executive Non Departmental Public Body which advises the Scottish Government on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland.  NatureScot’s role is to help secure the sustainable management of Scotland’s natural heritage for the benefit of all.

NatureScot delivers its purpose by providing advice to Scottish Ministers and local authorities, promoting good practice, and by working in partnership with others in the public, private and voluntary sectors to help secure the enhancement of, and benefits from, our natural assets for society.