Public appointment: Members reappointed to Children’s Hearings Scotland Board

The Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise today announced the reappointment of Sean Austin and Katie Docherty as Members of the Children’s Hearings Scotland Board.

Members

Sean Austin has had a long executive career in the UK, Europe and USA, during which he held senior roles at Boots, Budelpack International, Kerry Group and Paterson Arran. Sean is now an experienced Board Adviser, Non-Executive Director and Chair. Previously, he was Chairman at Border Biscuits. Currently, in addition to his role with CHS, he provides strategic advice and consultancy to manufacturing businesses, and he is a Trustee, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair at Inflammatory Neuropathies UK. He brings a range of skills and expertise to his role at CHS including corporate governance and financial control, audit and risk management, strategy development and organisational transformation. He is a former Children’s Panel member.

Katie Docherty, in her previous role, worked with children and young people as the Chief Executive of Scouts Scotland for 5 years, and currently volunteers as a Scout Leader. She brings extensive governance and board experience as a Third Sector leader as the current Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and a Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO).

Katie believes that, together, we can make a difference and keep The Promise that every child grows up loved, safe and respected – able to realise their full potential. She sits on the CHS board as a member because she passionately believes it’s crucial that children’s hearings and the decisions made are centred on the best interests of infants, children and young people.

Reappointment

These reappointments will be for 4 years and will run from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029.

These reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These reappointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £208.99 per day for a time commitment of 24 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Sean Austin and Katie Docherty 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. 

Sean Austin has canvassed from 2015 to date on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party at local, Scottish national and UK national elections. On 25 January 2024, he was election agent for the Scottish Labour Part candidate in the Stirling Council by-election. From 14 December 2023 to date, Sean has been Chair of the Dunblane & Bridge of Allan Branch Labour Party, and from 9 November 2024 to date is a Vice Chair of Clackmannanshire & Dunblane Constituency Labour Party.

Katie Docherty has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Children’s Hearings Scotland is one of a number of organisations that work as part of the children’s hearings system. This care and justice system is unique to Scotland and exists to protect the safety and wellbeing of infants, children and young people. The system is made up of a number of partners who each have a different role; Children’s Hearings Scotland’s role is to recruit, train and support volunteers to become panel members who listen and make legal decisions with and for children and young people involved in children's hearings.