Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Skills Development Scotland board

The Minister for Higher and Further Education, Ben Macpherson MSP, today announced the reappointment of Poonam Malik, Mark Dames, David Hillier, and Paul Taylor as members of the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) board. 

Members 

Dr Poonam Malik is an entrepreneur, business strategist, and Life Sciences leader with expertise in MedTech, Biotech, and technology commercialization. She is Executive Chair and Co-Founder of Microplate Dx, a multi-award-winning MedTech scale-up tackling antimicrobial resistance. Poonam serves as Vice President for Business at the Royal Society of Edinburgh and sits on national boards including Scottish Enterprise, where she chairs the Remuneration Committee. She co-chaired Scotland’s “New Deal for Business Group” alongside the Deputy First Minister. A former Head of Investments at the University of Strathclyde, she has led over 55 global investment deals and champions diversity and women founders. Poonam is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and an MBA in Strategy and Leadership. 

Dr. Mark Dames is Head of Digital Economy for the Government of Jersey, leading policy on digital, telecoms, cyber security, and broadcasting. Previously, he was Head of Policy and Public Affairs for BT Group in Scotland, where he shaped regional policy and supported BT’s strategic objectives across the UK nations and regions. Earlier in his career, Mark worked in BT’s research and development laboratories on optical switching technologies for next-generation telecom networks and spent time with Accenture developing the world’s first interactive digital TV platform. A graduate of Edinburgh and Cambridge Universities, he is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Physicist with extensive experience in digital innovation and policy development. 

Professor David Hillier is Associate Principal at the University of Strathclyde, responsible for Global Engagement and Executive Dean of Strathclyde Business School. He is Chair of the Finance and Operational Performance Committee at Skills Development Scotland. David sits on the CBI Scotland Regional Council and is Chair of St Aloysius’ College, Glasgow.  He has won several industry awards, including the Institute of Directors Scotland Public Sector Director of the Year. David is the author of several University textbooks and a visiting Professor at Politecnico Di Milano, Italy, and Honorary Professor at Peking University. He is a passionate advocate of using technology to enhance learning and brings over 25 years of international experience in education and industry to the board of SDS. 

Paul Taylor is currently Co-CEO of NSC Global, a global IT services organisation. Paul previously had an extensive career in British Telecom (BT), including CIO Global Business, Managing Director for BT’s Public Sector and Health business, and more recently, Managing Director of BT’s Financial Services and Commercial business. Paul provides significant transformation and digital enablement expertise, gained across multiple sectors and geographies, that supports SDS in their operational and strategic goals. 

Reappointment 

These reappointments will be for 2 years and will run from 8 January 2026 until 7 January 2028. 

These reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration 

These reappointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £339 per day for a time commitment of up to 2 days per month. 

Other ministerial appointments 

Poonam Malik is a board member of Scottish Enterprise, where she also acts as Chair of the Remuneration Committee. For this she receives remuneration of £468.92 per day, for a time commitment of 2.5 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.    

None 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.