Public appointment: Members appointed to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the appointment of Donall Curtin; Dr Frank Reilly; Derek Rose; Kirsten Urquhart BEM and Julie Wardhaugh as Members of the Board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

 

Members 

Donall Curtin has spent four decades as a practicing accountant and auditor, holding fifteen board and audit committee roles across the public, regulatory, academic and cultural sectors in Ireland and the UK. He is a Board Member of Registers of Scotland, where he Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee and was Chair of the community liaison committee for ten years as Dublin’s Docklands were rebuilt. He is a Chartered Director and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. 

Dr Frank Reilly brings extensive experience in public sector governance and scrutiny. He serves as a Council Member of the Scottish Social Services Council, including its Audit and Assurance Committee, and holds an independent adviser role at the Scottish Association of Social Workers. A PhD researcher in governance and co-production in regulated, high-risk settings, he has a strong background in senior management across health and social care and the third sector. 

Derek Rose is a technology and digital leader with over 30 years' experience across the private and public sectors, including senior executive roles in complex, global, highly regulated organisations leading major transformation and change. He now works as an independent advisor and fractional technology leader, supporting boards and executive teams on digital strategy, cyber resilience and emerging technologies, including AI and post-quantum readiness. 

Kirsten Urquhart BEM is a strategic, values-led leader with extensive experience across the public, third, academic and private sectors, with a particular focus on young people, digital innovation and public services. She leads strategic engagement at Edinburgh Futures Institute (Edinburgh University) Scottish Prevention Hub and recently served as Chief Executive of Young Scot having spent almost 13 years with the organisation. She has contributed to a range of national initiatives and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2021 for services to young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Julie Wardhaugh is an experienced finance professional with a financial services career spanning over 25 years. As a leader of large commercial finance functions, she has significant experience in transformational change and strategic decision making. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and served for six years as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee at Registers of Scotland.

 

Appointments 

The appointments are for four years and run from 24 October 2026 to 23 October 2030. 

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

 

Remuneration and time commitment 

The appointments attract remuneration of £333.87 per day for a time commitment of five days per month. 

 

Other Ministerial appointments 

Dr Reilly is a Council Member of the Scottish Social Services Council and receives £220.00 per day for a time commitment of three days per month. 

Donall Curtin; Derek Rose; Kirsten Urquhart and Julie Wardhaugh 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. 

Donall Curtin; Dr Reilly; Derek Rose; Kirsten Urquhart and Julie Wardhaugh have had no political activity within the last five years. 

 

Background 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is Scotland’s national fire and rescue service and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the people of Scotland by protecting communities through emergency response, prevention and public safety activities across the country.