Appointment of the Chair of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson MSP, today announced the appointment of Lorna Jack as Chair of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL).

“I congratulate Lorna on her appointment as Chair of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd on a permanent basis.

“She has performed admirably in the role on an interim basis, helping HIAL continue to deliver for the communities that rely on these vital air links. I look forward to continuing to work with her.”

Appointment

Lorna Jack is a chartered accountant and a graduate of Aberdeen University. She joined the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited as a non-executive Director in March 2014 and chaired its Audit Committee for over three years, until she was invited to take on the interim Chair role in October 2017. Ms Jack remains the Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland and is an independent member of the Court of University of Aberdeen and a member of its Governance and Nominations Committee. She is also a Trustee and Treasurer of the McConnell International Foundation.

The appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

Length of Term, Remuneration and Time Commitment

The appointment is for three years and will commence on 1 February 2019 and end on to 31 January 2022. The Chair of the HIAL Board receives £310.00 per day for a time commitment of six days per month.

Other Ministerial Appointments

Ms Jack 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 five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Ms Jack has had no political activity in the last five years.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) is a public body wholly owned by Scottish Ministers. The Company operates and manages 11 airports in the Highlands and Islands (Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick) and Dundee. These airports are vital to the social and economic welfare of the areas they serve and enable the communities to stay connected.

None of HIAL’s airports operates on a solely commercial basis and the Scottish Government provides subsidy to HIAL to close the gap between commercial revenue and operating costs to allow services to be maintained.