Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Skills Development Scotland Board

The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education, Ben Macpherson MSP, today announced the reappointment of Margaret McCaig and Sheila Cowan as members of the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Board.

Members

Margaret McCaig is a senior director with over 20 years’ experience in the global financial services industry across all three lines of defence.  Currently Head of Compliance, Financial Crime, Conduct and Legal Audit HSBC UK. As Head of Compliance, Financial Crime, Conduct and Legal Audit, Margaret is responsible for the provision of independent, objective assurance and consulting services over Regulatory Compliance, Financial Crime, Conduct, and Legal (RCCL) risks across HSBC UK. Margaret joined HSBC in 2015 from Barclays to design and implement a strategic enhancement programme in Regulatory Compliance Monitoring. In 2019, Margaret led the integration of the Financial Crime and Regulatory Compliance Monitoring and Testing teams and was appointed Global Head of Compliance Assurance Professional Practices in 2020 which was extended to cover Risk in 2022. Margaret joined Group Internal Audit in 2022 as the Global Head of Regulatory Compliance, Conduct & Legal Audit prior to moving to HSBC UK in September 2025.

Previously Margaret held senior positions in Barclays Compliance, Lloyds Banking Group Commercial Banking, Lloyds Group Internal Audit and HBOS.  Margaret is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA) and is an experienced Trainer who delivered training for the CIIA for over a decade. A mentor to internal colleagues and Women in Banking and Finance members she is passionate about helping others succeed in their career and reach their potential. 

Sheila Cowan has vast experience of 25 years as a senior financial professional working in the global technology industry; gaining experience in change management, strategic planning, finance, audit and risk and people management. With the professional experience, as well as skills of collaboration, visionary and leadership qualities, she worked on voluntary business mentorship programmes alongside gaining board experience as finance director for a national sports body, plus consulting experience on due diligence for company mergers/acquisitions.

She passionately believes in learning and development, from education to lifelong learning from establishing skills to enrich careers for all individuals.  Sheila also has non-executive director experience, currently being a re-appointed board member of the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Board, also a member of the Integrated Joint Board for East Ayrshire until March 2029.  Sheila also chairs Performance Governance Committee for NHS Ayrshire and Arran and chairs the charity Endowment Committee plus a trustee for this charity

Reappointment

These reappointments will be for 2 years and will run from 01 November 2026 to 31 October 2028.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £8,136 per year for a time commitment of 2 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Sheila Cowan is a board member of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board. For this she receives remuneration of £14,352 per annum, for a time commitment of 4 days per month.

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.   

Neither of the above-noted members have had any political activity within the last five years.  

Background

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national skills body supporting the people and businesses of Scotland to develop and apply their skills. A series of skills and economic strategies interlink to shape the work of SDS, making sure that services and partnership activity are meeting the needs of customers and effectively contributing to our inclusive, sustainable growth ambitions for Scotland.