Public appointment: Non-Executive Member appointed to the Board of Scottish Water

The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin MSP, today announced the reappointment of Steven Dickson as a non-executive member of the board of Scottish Water. 

Non-Executive Member 

Steven brings more than 30 years’ communications, media and digital experience having worked for BT since 1989. Recent roles included leading teams across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific focusing on global contracts, strategic controls and revenue assurance. Steven was a member of the leadership team at BT Group Business Services. He is also a non-executive director on the board of the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service and a member of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. Previously, Steven was a member of the National Executive Committee for the Prospect Union, having occupied various executive positions since 2013, and was a senior negotiator on the BT Pay and Reward Committee from 2006 until his retirement. He also served a term on the governance board of BT’s pension scheme. 

Appointments 

This reappointment will be for 4 years and will run from 1 May 2025 until 30 April 2029. 

The reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration and time commitment 

The appointment attracts remuneration of £466.00 per day of no less than 7.5 hours for up to 4 days per month. 

Other Ministerial appointments 

Stephen is a non-executive director of the Scottish Courts & Tribunal Service and receives £3,600 per annum for a time commitment of 2 days per month. He is also a member of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and receives £15,000 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. 

Stephen has had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background 

Scottish Water is a public corporation established by the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002.  It is accountable to the Scottish Government for the provision of all public water and sewerage services to more than 2.62 million households and around 153,000 businesses in Scotland.  It is the fourth largest provider of water and sewerage services in the UK, with an annual revenue of roughly £1.94 billion.  Its retail subsidiary Business Stream operates in the competitive retail market for non-household customers in Scotland and England.