Public appointment: Non-Executive Director appointed to the Board of David MacBrayne Limited

The Minister for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, today announced the appointment of David Beaton as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of David MacBrayne Limited.

Non-Executive Director

David Beaton was born and raised in Sutherland and has lived in the Isle of Skye for the last 35 years apart from a short spell in Chicago, United States as Managing Director for Stagecoach owned companies.  He will bring direct knowledge and a lived experience of the key issues effecting rural and island communities.  Mr Beaton has a wealth of public transport skills and experience. He has been involved in the public transport sector since 1988, with 25 years of that directly involved in managing public transport in the Highlands and Islands. He is also Chair of the local Royal National Lifeboat Institution fundraising committee.

Appointment

The appointment is for three years from 19 June 2023 to 18 June 2026.

Remuneration and time commitment

The appointment attracts remuneration of £320.00 per day for a time commitment of three days per month.

Other Ministerial appointments

Mr Beaton does not hold any other Ministerial 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.

Mr Beaton has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

With over 160 years’ experience, David MacBrayne Limited (DML) is one of Scotland’s longest continually running businesses. It is wholly owned by Scottish Ministers and is a key component of the transport network, providing lifeline ferry connectivity to our islands and remote communities. DML employs around 1800 people with an annual turnover of approximately £200 million. It transports more than five million passengers annually and operates 26 ports within the UK.

DML provides transport and infrastructure services to communities, supporting the aims of the Scottish Government to provide a Wealthier, Fairer, Smarter, Healthier, Safer, Stronger and Greener Scotland, and to make a commercial return to our shareholder, the Scottish Ministers.

DML’s largest subsidiary company is CalMac Ferries Limited (CFL). CFL is the UK’s largest ferry operator in terms of ships and destinations served and one of the largest transport operators in Scotland. It provides essential lifeline services and logistical support to island and remote communities, and currently operates the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Contract, which runs until 2024.