June2016
June2016
22August2016
Appointment of a Trustee to the Board of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, RoseannaCunninghamMSP today announced the appointment of ChrisWallace as a Trustee of the Board of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh(RBGE).
ChrisWallace joins the RBGE having enjoyed a distinguished career in communications and PR. He was Director of Communications at Scottish Water for nineyears until2016 during which time the profile and reputation of the organisation was transformed into one of the most highly regarded utilities in the UK. He was also Managing Director of a leading advertising and PR agency responsible for some of Scotland’s most effective and enduring campaigns.
Appointment
The appointment is for fouryears. It commenced on 1July2016 and will end on 30June2020. It requires a time commitment of 16days per year and is not remunerated.
The appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
Ministerial Appointments
MrWallace does not hold any other Ministerial 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 fiveyears (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.
MrWallace has not undertaken any political activity in the last fiveyears.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a NonDepartmental Public Body (NDPB) that receives grantinaid (of £8.5million revenue and £1million capital in 201617)from the Scottish Government.
RBGE’s mission “to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future”, is delivered through fourstrategic objectives:
· delivering world leading plant science and conservation programmes
· maintaining and developing RBGE’s internationally important collections
· providing learning and training in horticulture, plant science and biodiversity conservation
· offering a first-class visitor attraction.
RBGE is a global scientific resource, providing expertise, training, and information to help people around the world conserve ecosystems and protect natural capital. It works in many countries but has a particular focus in South America, South East Asia, Nepal and the Sino-Himalaya and the Middle East.
At the national level it is Scotland’s botanical institute playing a significant role in delivering the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and giving Government access to scientific excellence.
RBGE’s specialist training and public engagement links plants to individuals and communities in Scotland and around the world. Over the last fiveyears at RBGE:
· 59,696children have participated in schools programmes;
· 180students have graduated from HND/BSc programme;
· 89students from 34countries have graduated from MSc in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants.
RBGE’s four gardens attract over 900,000visits per year and its extensive programme of events, courses and exhibitions are a major attraction, complementing our living and preserved collections and helping to delight and inform visitors.