Public appointment: Members reappointed to Creative Scotland

The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Mr Robertson, today announced the reappointment of Elizabeth Partyka and David Strachan as Members of Creative Scotland.

Members

Elizabeth Partyka began her career at Radio Clyde, before joining the BBC as a producer. Since then she has worked for ITV and Disney, before becoming Channel Controller at STV. Elizabeth was a Non-Executive Member of the Court at Edinburgh Napier University and was one of the founder members of the broadcasting charity, the STV Appeal. In 2015, she was recognised by the Royal Television Society for her contribution to television and received the RTS Scotland Award. Elizabeth is currently Chair of Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Scotland.

David Strachan was first appointed to Creative Scotland in August 2018 and within Creative Scotland he has chaired Screen Scotland since its launch. He was previously founder MD of Tern TV which grew from its Aberdeen base to Glasgow and Belfast and is now part of Zinc Media plc. He was for nineteen years on the board of Pact, the independent producers’ trade association and as chair for many years of its Nations and Regions committee which led campaigns to increase public service broadcasting production outside London. He is a trustee of Dunedin Consort, a former vice chair of Robert Gordon University Governors and now chairs the trustees of Robert Gordon University Student Union. He continues to be a freelance TV producer.

Reappointment

The reappointments will be for four years and will run from 1 August 2022 until 31 July 2026.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

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

Other ministerial appointments

Elizabeth Partyka and David Strachan 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.  

Elizabeth Partyka and David Strachan have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Creative Scotland is the national body for creative development. They support a Scotland where creative activity is vibrant, valued and experienced by everyone inclusively. They are here to enable creative people, communities, places and activity to thrive.

Creative Scotland fulfils a statutory role and operates within the context of the Scottish Government’s national outcomes and strategic objectives. Creative Scotland is a key funding and development public body funded by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery.

Creative Scotland is the national organisation responsible for Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries. Key functions include:

• identifying, supporting and developing quality and excellence in the arts and culture from artists and creative practitioners
• promoting audience’s understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of ‘art for art’s sake’
• improving access to and participation in the arts and culture
• making real, and bringing to fruition, the value and benefits of the arts and culture in Scotland
• encouraging and supporting artistic and other creative endeavours which contribute to an understanding of Scotland’s national culture
• advocating for and supporting the creative industries
• encouraging and supporting other organisations who perform functions similar to Creative Scotland.

Further information is available on their website:  https://www.creativescotland.com/