Appointment of Non-Executive Chair and Non-Executive Director to the Board of Scottish Canals

The Minister for Transport has announced the appointment of a new Non-Executive Chair and Non-Executive Director to the Board of Scottish Canals.

Chair Appointment

Andrew Thin, current Non-Executive Chair of Scottish Canals, will step down at the end of his final term of appointment on 31 March 2022.  He will be replaced by Maureen Campbell who has been appointed as Non-Executive Chair.  Her initial term will be for 3 years from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £335 per day for a time commitment of 42 days per annum.

Maureen was formerly Chief Executive of a charitable culture and sport trust and was a key leader in the development of The Helix, The Home of the Kelpies.

Maureen has held various board positions in the sport, recreation and culture sector and is currently Vice Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland and a board member of Sportscotland. Maureen is an experienced leader in the Scottish recreation culture, sport and tourism community.

Maureen is interested in strategic development and place making to improve health and well-being while contributing to the tourism offer in Scotland. 

Maureen lives in Stirling and enjoys swimming, cycling and walking.

Non-executive Director Appointment

Robin Strang has also been appointed to the Board of Scottish Canals as Non-Executive Director, and his initial 3 year term will be from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025.

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £240 per day for a time commitment of 20 days per annum.

Robin has extensive experience working within the public and charity sectors. He was Chief Executive of West Lothian Leisure and of Manchester Sport and Leisure Trust. Both are charities that seek to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing primarily through sport and physical activity. He is currently a sport and leisure consultant, Chair of Community Leisure Scotland and Non-Executive Director of Sportscotland’s Trust Company.

He is passionate about promoting the benefits of physical activity and the power of the natural environment to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

Robin lives in Bathgate and in his spare time enjoys running, cycling and hill walking.

Other Ministerial Appointments

Maureen and Robin do 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 five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.  Maureen and Robin have had no political activity in the last five years.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said:

"Following a full and open recruitment process, I am pleased to welcome Maureen Campbell as the next Non-Executive Chair and Robin Strang as Non-Executive Director to the Board of Scottish Canals.

“Maureen and Robin have both had successful careers in the public sector and I look forward to them bringing their individual experience and expertise to their respective roles.

“I would also like to thank Andrew Thin for his hard work and achievements at Scottish Canals as his final term as Chair of the Board comes to an end and I wish him well in his future endeavours.”