22 February 2017
Members Appointed to the Board ofsportscotland
The Minister for Public Health and Sport today announced the appointment of Christopher Grant, Susan Sandilands, Hala Ousta, Duncan Skinner and Katy U’ren to the Board ofsportscotland.
MEMBER
Christopher Grant works in the telecommunications industry as a Strategic Business Manager for Open reach. He was previously the Head of Diversity and Inclusion for BT Group and lead on the implementation of the inclusion strategy across the business. He brings extensive HR and operational experience having progressed his career across different specialisms while managing large operational teams. He was on the board of the National Equality Standard (NES) which sets clear equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) criteria against which organisations are independently assessed. Having been a representative on the Scottish Government’s Children's Panel, he passionately believes that sport connects people and is a powerful tool for creating a more socially active and inclusive Scotland.
Susan Sandilands is BBC Scotland’s Social Media Community Manager, and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She has worked at BBC Scotland since 2002, with previous roles in marketing, communications and event management, before moving into her current position specialising in producing bespoke social content and building communities around BBC Scotland’s flagship accounts. She is a 2nd Dan black belt in Taekwondo and a former instructor in the sport, who now enjoys interval and weight training, and swimming. In 2014 Susie was named as the BBC’s first ‘Just for Staff’ Get Inspired Unsung Hero, for encouraging and supporting her colleagues to incorporate activity into their working day
Hala OustaAs Diversity and Inclusion Manager for the Scottish Football Association, Hala is an established campaigner for equality, diversity and sports at several levels.
Having a Masters in Public Policy & Post graduate Diploma in Equality & Discrimination, her experience covers a wide range of roles and responsibilities related to Equality and Sports development.She currently sits on the Board of ‘Women in Football’, ‘ICON Awards’, with advisory roles on the ‘Scottish committee of the British Council’ and is involved within the ‘UEFA’s Captains of Change’ programme. In addition, she has founded and chairs ‘Inspiring Women Scotland’, an organisation promoting empowerment and leadership for multicultural young women. She has recently been chosen as one of the UK’s 30 under 30 Sports Industry Group Next Gen Leaders 2017 which recognises and rewards the rising industry individuals.
Duncan Skinner Following a 34 year career in the Global Oil and Gas Industry, Duncan retired in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer of Wood Group PSN - a position he assumed after the sale of PSN to Wood Group in 2011. In 2006, Duncan, along with CEO Bob Keiller, engineered the $300m Management Buy-out from Halliburton, creating PSN, the 5th largest private company in Scotland.He has since dedicated his time to social enterprise and Charity activities and is currently Chair of The Aberdeen Football Community Trust and social enterprises Glencraft and Social Stuff while also having trustee or ambassadorial roles on several other charities. He is also a non-executive director at Aberdeen Football Club. A former Scottish Finance Director of the Year he brings his financial skills to the board, while his experience at the Football Club Community Trust and other similar organisations has provided him a strong insight into the power of sport to change people’s lives for the better.
Katy U’ren is currently a deputy head teacher at Smithcroft Secondary School in Glasgow. As former Faculty Head of Health and Wellbeing and PEteacher at Drumchapel High School in Glasgow, she had the opportunity to lead a team of staff and volunteers through the development of sport within the school and community setting which resulted in transformational change including increased participation levels in sport. Katy has vast experience of sport development through consultation and working with Active Schools and community partners. As a UNICEF Ambassador at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, she was able to develop her global understanding of sport when teaching children to swim in Bangladesh.
APPOINTMENT
These appointment will be for 4 years.The appointment will run from 21 February 2017 for Hala Ousta, Duncan Skinner and Christopher Grant and end 20 February 2021. Susan Sandilands and Katy U’ren appointment begins 1 March 2017 and end 28 February 2021.
This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
REMUNERATION
This appointment is part time and attracts a remuneration of £165 per day.On average, the total time commitment from Board members could be up to 16 days per year. Duncan Skinner has alternatively declared his fee will be given to charity.
OTHER MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
All new appointees hold no other 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. The new appointees have upheld no Political activity within the last five years.
BACKGROUND
sportscotland is a non-departmental public body, responsible through Scottish Ministers to the Scottish Parliament. It is guided strategically by the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government as well as by the principles of Public Service Reform. sportscotland is also a National Lottery distributor. sportscotland is committed to Scottish Ministers’ vision of an Active Scotland and its strategy is aligned to the Active Scotland Outcomes Framework.