7. Meet Our Committee – Introductions to new members

7. Meet Our Committee – Introductions to new members

This year we have been heavily involved in recruitment and selection of our new members. After a lengthy and robust recruitment and selection process we successfully recruited six new members. Three members will join MACS on 1 May 2021 with a further three joining on 1 October 2021.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank MACS members who assisted me with the “drop-in sessions” and the recruitment panel.

I would like to thank Hilary Stubbs and David Hunter for their additional commitments and flexibility in this time-consuming process. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Karen Armstrong from the Sponsor Team for her role as Chair and Kevin Mills of Scottish Government’s Public Appointment Team for his support and assistance in undertaking the virtual interviews.

We were pleased with the level of interest to join our Committee (36 applicants) and the quality, standard and enthusiasm of the applications. We welcome all our new members, whom will bring fresh perspectives and challenge as well as their lived experiences, knowledge and skills.

Over an extended period of time we have been holding three vacancies and I would like to thank members for taking on some additional work to fill the gaps; this has been greatly appreciated.

Those who will be joining the Committee on 1 May

Graham Dunn – For the last 15 years, Graham Dunn has worked within the Community Transport Sector as Development Officer with Community Transport Glasgow, with Glasgow City Council and with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. At the moment he is a consultant specialising in transport issues.

Pauline Kelly – Pauline Kelly is part of Amnesty International’s Media and Communications Team having previously been Media and Campaigns Officer.

Simon Watkins – Simon Watkins worked for 20 years in the Scottish Parliament as the lead Clerk to a number of Committees finally as Clerk to the Social Security Committee. He is also a volunteer with Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign and previously spent six years as a Member of the Board of Planning Aid Scotland, serving as Treasurer and Vice Chair. And we will keep you updated on our further new recruits at a later date.