Public appointments: chair and members reappointed to the board of Skills Development Scotland

The Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, Jamie Hepburn MSP, has today announced the reappointments of Frank Mitchell as Chair, and Grahame Smith and Willie Mackie as Members of the Board of Skills Development Scotland.

Chair

Frank Mitchell is the CEO of SP Energy Networks, and took up the post of Chair of Skills Development Scotland in 2018. Frank has more than 30 years of experience in working internationally across the energy sector and leading large multi-skilled teams across diverse locations and leading business change and innovation. He brings extensive experience of working with key external stakeholders including customers, communities, governments, regulators and trade unions.

He has been in his current role for over 10 years and in that time has recruited over 1200 apprentices and graduate trainees into his business.

Members

Grahame Smith is the former General Secretary of the Scottish TUC. He is a Graduate of Strathclyde University, where he obtained an Honours Degree in Economics and Industrial Relations. Currently, he serves as a Non-Executive Director of Skills Development Scotland and of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and as co-Chair of the Fair Work Convention. He is also Chair of the Programme Board for Careers Review.

Following an extensive career in financial services, Willie Mackie established his own consultancy business in 2013. Over the past 20 years, Willie has held a number of senior roles supporting skills, education and economic development at a local and regional level. In addition to his appointment to the Board of Skills Development Scotland in 2014, he is also Regional Chair of Ayrshire College and Deputy Chair of Scottish Enterprise, where he is also Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Appointment

Frank Mitchell’s reappointment will run for three years, beginning on 1 October 2021 and ending on 30 September 2024.

The reappointments of Grahame Smith and Willie Mackie will run for six months, beginning on 1 August 2021 and ending on 31 January 2022.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

The Chair reappointment is part-time and attracts a maximum annual remuneration of £44,448 for a time commitment of up to 8 days per month.

The Members reappointments is part time and attracts a maximum annual remuneration of £8,136 for a time commitment of up to 2 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments 

Frank Mitchell is the Co-Chair of the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board. He is also a Board Member for the Scottish Energy Advisory Board, the Energy Networks Association, the Western Link Advisory Board, the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board and the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) National Advisory Group. He receives no remuneration for these roles.

Grahame Smith is a Board Member of the Scottish Qualifications Authority for which he receives £5,117 per annum for a time commitment of 4 days per month. He is Chair of the Programme Board of the Careers Service Review, for which he receives £336 per day for a time commitment of 2 days per week. He is the Co-Chair of the Fair Work Convention for which he receives no remuneration for a time commitment of 6 days per month. He is also a Board Member of the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board for which he receives no remuneration for a time commitment of 4 days per month.

Willie Mackie is the Chair of Ayrshire College for which he receives £265 per day for a time commitment of 2 days per week. He is also Deputy Chair of Scottish Enterprise for which he receives £13,260 per annum 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.   

Frank Mitchell, Grahame Smith and Willie Mackie have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background 

Skills Development Scotland 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 SDS's work, making sure that services and partnership activity are meeting the needs of customers and effectively contributing to our inclusive, sustainable growth ambitions for Scotland.