Senior Management Team Meeting - Minutes - 26 May 2026

Attendees

  • Alison Irvine (AI) - Chief Executive - Chair
  • Andy Robinson (AR) - Director of FCS
  • Bettina Sizeland (BS) - Director of TIC
  • Fiona Brown (FB) - Director of SPA
  • Amanda Rutherford (AM) - For Director of Ferries and Ports
  • Alan Martin (AM) - For Director of BCAT
  • Morna Cannon (MC) - Director of ECS
  • Bill Reeve (BR) - Director of Rail Reform
  • Lawrence Shackman (LS) - Director of Infrastructure Projects
  • Graeme Cook (GC) - Director of Rail Delivery
  • David Swanson (DS) - Head of Corporate Services
  • Joanne Demarco (JD) - Head of Human Resources
  • Andy Pope (AP) - Head of Corporate Governance
  • Gillian Steele (GS) - Head of Finance
  • Graeme Dickson (GD) - Non Executive Member
  • Stephen Kelly (SK) - ICT Manager
  • Andy Park (AP) - Senior Economist

CEO Office

  • Mark Dunlop
  • Pam Yorke

Apologies

  • Mary Docherty, Director of BCAT
  • Steven Wyllie, Corporate Governance Manager
  • Hugh Gillies, Director of RDO
  • Sarah Caldwell, Director of FCS
  • Chris Wilcock, Director of Ferries & Ports

Welcome and Introductions

  • AI advised that Workforce Planning would be discussed at the next meeting.
  • A meeting with the new Cabinet Secretary and the TS Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is scheduled for tomorrow; timings are still to be confirmed. A new rhythm of meetings will need to be established.

Risk Overview

  • AP advised that the TS Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) earlier this month had been positive.
  • Directors were reminded to ensure risks are accurately recorded, particularly dates. All have been asked to review entries.
  • ARC members will attend the August SLT to reflect on their first year of membership.
  • The risk register highlighted two key areas: Sponsored Bodies and Cyber, both of which were covered in deep dives.
  • SLT asked AP to consider whether fuel prices, construction, and use of AI should be added to the risk register.

Sponsored Bodies Deep Dive

  • AR sought SLT agreement to move this risk from the strategic to the governance category, explaining the rationale and actions in place.
  • AI asked SLT if they were content with the proposal, the controls in place, and whether anything had been missed.

Actions for AR

  • Consider resource implications of increasing control over sponsored bodies (DG-level oversight required).
  • Clarify roles and assess any potential conflicts of interest.
  • Clarify the distinction between sponsorship and policy; discuss further with the Public Appointments Team in the Scottish Government.
  • Review the current minimal risk appetite
  • Consider the role of TS attendance at board meetings and reflect this in the narrative and action plan.
  • AR to reflect on feedback and return with an updated position.

Industrial Relations Deep Dive

  • GC confirmed the current impact and likelihood ratings remain appropriate.
  • Existing controls were considered, noting that previous quarterly meetings with the Cabinet Secretary and unions are no longer in place.
  • A gap in formal engagement structures was identified.
  • The UK Government dimension was also noted.

Cyber Deep Dive

  • DS advised the risk score had increased from 75 to 200.
  • SK clarified this relates to non-SCOTS systems (e.g. Traffic Scotland and concessionary travel), which are not supported by iTECS.

SLT feedback

  • Further detail is required to support the increased score.
  • The team should:
    • Assess impacts more fully
    • Consider external dependencies and digital projects
    • Clarify where recovery arrangements are captured

Resourcing Risk Discussion

  • DS was asked to review the risk description to determine whether this is a risk or an issue.

Follow-up actions

  • Arrange a prioritisation meeting with the Minister
  • Review risk appetite and whether controls are consuming excessive resources (including AO delegation processes)
  • Consider wider SG / PSR actions
  • Explore skills, retraining, and short-term secondments
  • Develop a TS skills matrix

Transport Appraisal – Modelling Transport Demand

  • The issue is recognised, with a series of actions planned before year-end.

Discussion points

  • Prioritise actions related to data quality and validation
  • Ensure data, demand, fares, and purpose are clearly reflected in actions
  • Strengthen direction of analysis
  • Ensure ministers understand increasing uncertainty
  • Review how tools are used and consider scenario planning
  • Identify potential improvements

Corporate Dashboard

  • eRDM: teams to be reminded of impending changes and the access to documents.
  • The 100% FOI record was noted, and AI asked for thanks to be passed on to teams.
  • AP advised the new dashboard is now aligned with the DG dashboard; feedback is welcome.
  • GD asked for deep dives to be recorded on the dashboard for ARC Non-Executive Members.
  • SLT noted they were content with the improvements made.

Finance

  • GS provided a high-level overview of the 2026/27 financial position.
  • GS will undertake further deep dives with Directorates.
  • AI asked GS to ensure the MV Alfred extension is included.

AOB

  • The resourcing committee will meet, with outcomes to be discussed at Corporate SLT.
  • Evac chair training courses will run every 8 weeks.

Back to top

Published Date 26 May 2026 Type Topic