Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Scottish Legal Aid Board

The Minister for Victims and Community Safety today announced the reappointments of Judith Robertson, Brigid Whoriskey, and Gavin Stevenson as Members of the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Members

Judith Robertson was the former full-time Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission serving from 2016 – 2022. Prior to this role she was the Head of Oxfam Scotland. In both positions Judith’s leadership on social justice issues was important and had impact. Her work on access to justice issues was a key part of her work at the Scottish Human Rights Commission. 

Brigid Whoriskey is a non-executive director, business advisor and executive coach with considerable experience working across public, private and third sector. She is an experienced board member having held numerous board roles in the past and currently is also a trustee of international charity Tong-Len UK. Her corporate career included over 20 years in leadership roles in financial services including at Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds UDT. Brigid brings particular experience in strategy, transformation, communications and leadership development. She is known as a natural collaborator and communicator and is passionate about making a difference to individuals, organisations and society.

Gavin Stevenson brings a wealth of Senior Management experience from both the private and public sectors. Previously working in retail, banking, Department of Health, Benefits Agency and for both English and Scottish National Scrutiny bodies. Formally a director with audit Scotland he latterly was for 13 years Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council. He is a qualified accountant and has chaired SLAB’s Audit Committee for the last 3 years.

Reappointments

The reappointments will be for 3 years and will run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The reappointments are part-time and attracts a remuneration of £249 per day  for a time commitment of 3.5 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Judith Robertson, Brigid Whoriskey, and Gavin Stevenson 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.   

Judith Robertson, Brigid Whoriskey, and Gavin Stevenson have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) was set up in 1987 to manage legal aid in Scotland and is a non-departmental public body responsible to the Scottish Government. Legal aid allows people who would otherwise not be able to afford it, to get help for their legal problems