Appointment of new Chair to the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport has announced the appointment of a new Chair to the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings Limited, the Scottish Government company that owns ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper.
Professor Iain Docherty has accepted an offer for the post of Chair and will take up his appointment on 4 February 2025.
Iain is a senior academic manager and researcher and an experienced Non-Executive Director in the transport sector. He holds academic positions as Dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies and Professor of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Stirling, and Fellowships of the Academy of Social Sciences, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Geographical Society, and the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Iain is a member of the University and College Union.
Iain has worked with a range of private sector, governmental and other organisations on transport, economic development and related issues across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia, including the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He is currently a member of the Expert Panel advising the Driving Urban Transitions European intergovernmental consortium on urban sustainability.
Iain has extensive Board experience including previous appointments as Non-Executive Director of the ScotRail train operating company from 2015 to 2019; and Transport Scotland as one of the two inaugural Non-Executive Directors appointed on its establishment in 2006. He is currently a Director of the National Transport Authority of Ireland (NTA), and Chairperson of the NTA’s Capital Programmes Committee portfolio.
Ministerial Appointments
No other Ministerial appointments are held at this time.
Other Key Public Appointments
External Committee Member of the Scottish Funding Council’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee.
Glasgow Connectivity Commission: Appointed by Leader of Glasgow City Council in 2018 as Deputy Chair. Led Commission’s work on strategic infrastructure options that resulted in the adoption of the Clyde Metro as a nationally significant investment programme by the Scottish Government.
Scottish Government: Appointed as external member to several government boards and working groups including those overseeing the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2, National Planning Framework 4, the Stewarding Group for Scotland’s Climate Assembly and the Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group.
Political Activity
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the Scottish Government’s ethical standards framework, 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 Docherty has no political activity to declare in the last five years.
Remuneration
This appointment is part-time and attracts the following remuneration:
- Chair - 96 days at £498 per day.
Mr Docherty’s fees will be paid to the University of Stirling.
The next Board meeting is expected to take place on 6 February 2025.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said:
"I am pleased to welcome Iain Docherty to Chair the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings. Iain brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the transport sector.
“I look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership of our publicly owned train operators, which are so important to people, communities and the economy in Scotland.”
Professor Iain Docherty said:
“Scotland’s Railway has a key role to play in supporting the economy and ensuring a fair transition to net zero. The sector has faced significant challenges since COVID but has a bright future. I look forward to leading the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings in its work to ensure ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper deliver the best possible service and even greater public value in the years to come.”