Public appointment: Members reappointed to Healthcare Improvement Scotland Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointment of Robert Tinlin, Michelle Rogers, and Abishek Agarwal as Members of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) Board. 

Members 

Robert Tinlin has extensive experience of public sector governance, leadership and of health and social care integration and joint working. He brings learning and skills from 40 years in local government, in Scotland and England, latterly as a chief executive. His non-executive experience includes Board membership of NHS Digital and of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, where he was also Chair of Audit & Risk.  He also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Governance of the Jersey Audit Office and Chair of Cumberland Council Improvement Panel.  

Michelle Rogers has over 20 years’ experience in strategic planning of health and social care services for children, young people and families within the NHS, local authority and third sector. She has worked within the Population Health Directorate at Scottish Government contributing to the development of drug policy and service support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her current role as a Community Justice Coordinator within a Scottish local authority supports strategic planning and service delivery for community justice partners through a whole systems approach. Michelle has a wealth of experience in building and developing successful partnerships across sectors, along with meaningful engagement of lived experience in policy and service development. She is also a member of Redress Scotland.  

Dr Abhishek Agarwal holds an MBA and PhD from Scottish universities and has a background as an Associate Professor of Strategy. He brings a unique blend of academic rigor and practical strategic leadership to his role as a Board Member at Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS). His expertise lies in providing constructive/supportive challenge, ensuring that the Executive Team is held to account through rigorous scrutiny of strategic delivery and governance integrity. He possesses a deep understanding of Scotland’s health and social care environment, navigating complex budget sustainability challenges while prioritizing clinical safety and the delivery of high-quality patient care.   

Reappointments 

Robert Tinlin and Abhishek Agarwal’s reappointments will be for 4 years and will run from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2030. Michelle Rogers’ reappointment will be for 4 years and will run from 1 September  2026 to 31 August 2030. 

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration 

The reappointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £312 per day for a time commitment of 4 days per month. 

Other ministerial appointments 

Abhishek Agarwal is a Board Member of the Scottish Housing Regulator, for which he receives remuneration of £192.70 per day, for a time commitment of 1 day per week. He is also Chair of Forth Valley College, for which he receives remuneration of £211 per day, for a time commitment of 2 days per week. 

Robert Tinlin and Michelle Rogers do not hold any other regulated 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.    

Robert Tinlin, Michelle Rogers, and Abhishek Agarwal have had no political activity within the last five years.  

Background 

Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s aim is to ensure that the people of Scotland experience the best quality health and care services.  They work with people at every level of the health and social care system and make sure improvements in care are informed by the experiences of people who deliver and people who use services. 

As a national improvement organisation, they are able to see all of the integration jigsaw and how the parts fit together. This perspective allows them to shape, tailor and provide support that responds to both individual provider’s and system needs, providing a great opportunity to support improvements in the care that people receive.