Public appointment: Members appointed to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin MSP, today announced the appointment of Lisa Blackett, Kate Lander and Paul Rooney as Members of the Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. 

Members 

Lisa Blackett is a leadership coach and facilitator, with over thirty years’ diverse and global experience across electronics, pharmaceutical and medical device industries as well as SMEs and the NHS. Her areas of expertise are individual and organisational wellbeing and resilience, communication, social and interpersonal dynamics, diversity, and leadership development. She is also active locally and nationally to facilitate environmental awareness, learning and action in NHS Scotland.  

Kate Lander spent her career of over 30 years in education and financial services, initially qualifying as an accountant, then as a Chartered Financial Analyst. Her roles saw her teaching finance across the UK and globally, before running a fixed income desk for a global bank. After leaving banking, Kate returned to education in a number of leadership roles at Fitch Learning, LTG and more recently as CEO of Ivy House. She served for six years on the Board, and as Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee, for the Office for Students between 2017 and 2023. 

Paul Rooney is an experienced non-executive director with expertise in governance, audit and risk oversight, financial stewardship and digital transformation. He has held senior public appointments including City Treasurer of Glasgow City Council, Chair of the Strathclyde Pension Fund, and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee of the Scottish Police Authority. A qualified solicitor and MBA graduate, he provides strategic advisory leadership to organisations in regulated environments to strengthen resilience, digital capability and financial inclusion. 

Appointments 

Kate Lander and Paul Rooney were appointed for four years from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029. Lisa Blackett was appointed for three years from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration and time commitment 

The appointments attract remuneration of £293.29 per day. Kate Lander and Lisa Blackett have a time commitment of between 24 and 30 days per year. As Chair of the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee, Paul Rooney has a time commitment of between 36 and 42 days. 

Other Ministerial appointments 

Lisa Blackett is Chair of the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland and receives £354.00 per day for a time commitment of two to three days per month. She is also a Member, and the Sustainability Champion, of the NHS National Services Scotland Board and receives £14,352 per annum for a time commitment of one day per week. 

Kate Lander is a Member, and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, of the Board of the Scottish Funding Council. She receives £13,200 per annum, for a time commitment of three days per month. 

Paul Rooney 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. 

Lisa Blackett, Kate Lander and Paul Rooney have had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background 

Scotland's environment is at the heart of SEPA’s identity, success and development as a nation. It is fundamental to our culture, economy and quality of life. We all require an environment where the quality of our air, water and land is high, where our resources are used fairly and efficiently and where species in Scotland are thriving. This means tackling the climate and biodiversity crises is a priority for us all. As Scotland's principal environmental regulator, SEPA has a leading role to play in making this a reality. 

SEPA’s purpose is to protect and improve Scotland’s environment in ways that as far as possible also create health and well-being benefits and sustainable economic growth. SEPA focuses on delivering this through a number of strategic priorities including  net zero; climate resilience; water environment; resource efficiency; business environmental performance.