Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Care Inspectorate Board

The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP today announced the reappointment of Audrey Cowie, Rosie Moore, Paul Gray, Charlotte Armitage and Maria McGill as Members of the Care Inspectorate Board.

Members

Audrey Cowie has been registered as a first level nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council for over 45 years and has held both regional and national leadership posts, as well as senior NHS management posts, during that time. Audrey has significant experience, and a personal professional interest, in regulation, quality assurance and corporate governance, and cares deeply about protection of the public. Previous non-executive director posts include Scottish Social Services Council, General Teaching Council for Scotland and St Columba’s Hospice Care in Edinburgh.

Rosie Moore is a qualified Social Worker with First Class Honours from the University of Strathclyde, with a particular passion for working with looked after children and young people and their families. In 2017, Rosie was nominated by the Coalition of Care Providers Scotland to become a Discovery Group member for the Independent Care Review. She was then asked to stay on for the duration of the Review, becoming a co-chair of the working group for LOVE and latterly as the participation lead for those with seldom heard voices and young people in secure care. Rosie is currently at the Centre for Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection (CELCIS), where she has worked for several years, with a focus on social policy and participation of those with lived experience. Rosie has won several awards for her work in the sector, including Young Scot’s 30under30 and Strathclyde’s Women in Leadership. Rosie also holds positions on the Management Group of the Each and Every Child Initiative and as a Board Member for Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare (STAF).

Paul Gray has experience in governance in both NXD and senior executive roles, judicial and public service appointments, and public service leadership. His current portfolio is diverse. He is a lay member of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland, Chair of the Management Advisory Board at the Scottish Public Pensions Agency, an honorary senior research fellow at the University of Glasgow, an honorary fellow of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and a senior advisor to public affairs firm Charlotte Street Partners. He is also a founding director of a small consulting and advisory company, Newlands Murray Ltd. Paul spent 40 years in the civil service, leaving in 2019.  He held a number of director general posts in Scottish government, culminating in the role of chief executive of NHS Scotland and Director General for health and social care.

Charlotte Armitage brings to the Board her extensive knowledge of the children's policy in Scotland, gained from her lived experience in the care system, as well her professional experience in the third sector, having previously worked for Who Cares? Scotland, and now working for a refugee charity as Children's Policy Officer. This knowledge ranges from a deep understanding of local delivery through her work with East Lothian Champions’ Board, to high-level project development skills that have seen internationally recognised campaigns emerge; as well as legislative and policy changes, such as the guaranteed offer to university for Care Experienced applicants and the extension of free childcare for Care Experienced parents, implemented as a result of her input during her time working for Who Cares? Scotland. More recent interventions have been focused on improving the lives of unaccompanied and refugee children and young people. These skills are further complemented by her six years of professional experience working for the Scottish Parliament and the House of Commons, which have provided her with an in-depth understanding of the political landscape and its functions in the United Kingdom.

Maria McGill brings significant leadership, strategic planning and governance expertise with 20 years in leadership in hospice care. She is a member of Audit and Risk Committee at Care Inspectorate. In addition to her role as a Non‑Executive Director in NHS NSS where Maria is Chair of Clinical Governance Committee.

Reappointments

Audrey Cowie’s reappointment will be for 1 year and will run from 25 April 2026 to 24 April 2027. Paul Gray’s reappointment will be for 2 years and will run from 16 March 2026 to 15 March 2028. Rosie Moore and Maria McGill’s reappointments will be for 4 years and will run from 25 April 2026 to 24 April 2030. Charlotte Armitage’s reappointment will be for 2 years and will run from 25 April 2026 to 24 April 2028.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The reappointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £187.08 for a time commitment of 2 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Paul Gray is a Member of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland for which he receives remuneration of £320.85 per day, for a time commitment of 40 days per year. 

Maria McGill is a Non-Executive Director of the National Services Scotland Board for which she receives remuneration of £276 per day, for a time commitment of 1 day per week.

Audrey Cowie, Rosie Moore, and Charlotte Armitage 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.  

Charlotte Armitage has worked for Paul McLennan MSP since June 2021 and is an active member of his campaign team, having supported his campaign during the 2021 election. She also spoke on behalf of the SNP at the 2024 manifesto launch.

Audrey Cowie, Rosie Moore, Paul Gray, and Maria McGill have had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background

The Care Inspectorate is a scrutiny body which supports improvement. That means we look at the quality of care in Scotland to ensure it meets high standards. Where we find that improvement is needed, we support services to make positive changes.

Our vision is that everyone experiences safe, high-quality care that meets their needs, rights and choices. Our 600 staff work across Scotland, specialising in health and social care, early learning and childcare, social work, children’s services, and community justice.