Public Appointments Advisers
We oversee a selection of public appointments by assigning a Public Appointments Adviser (PAA).
PAAs are appointed by the Commissioner and are answerable to them for their professional conduct and competence. They do not answer to Ministers or their directorates, nor to any of the public bodies. The Commissioner decides on the appropriate level of oversight for an appointment based on a range of factors, including the body’s budget and its functions. Depending on the level assigned, the PAAs provide oversight during planning only or as full selection panel members. More details are included in the guidance on application of the Code.
Please see below for the individual biographies of our PAAs and PAA reflections on their motivations for being a PAA.
PAA reflections on providing advice on the Code
“I love what I do as a PAA as I get real insight into the diverse public services across Scotland. I then have the opportunity to work collaboratively to help find those people that can make a difference in how those services operate for all of our benefits.”
“I have been a PAA for a number of years, and relish the opportunity each new appointment round brings to contribute my knowledge, skills and experience towards a positive outcome. There is great teamwork among all those involved, and a sense of achievement when a round is completed with the recommendation of appointable candidates to the appointing Minister.”
“I became a PAA as I understand the significant difference that effective boards can play in the leadership of public bodies who deliver critical services that benefit society. I've very much enjoyed collaborating with others to attract and appoint talented board members who offer diverse thinking and different perspectives on Scotland today, and who share and are committed to the principles of public life.”
“I have been a Public Appointments Adviser [PAA] for the Ethical Standards Commissioner for nearly 9 years now, and the most enjoyable part of this role is to see the passion and commitment, both from the Commissioner’s Office, as well as the Scottish Government, to improve and strengthen Board Diversity.
Public Appointments play a very important part in good service provision in public life. Research, evidence and experience has shown that diverse boards make strong boards. Public Boards also need to reflect the society we serve and diversity is reflected in society. Diversity isn’t just about ethnicity, religion or gender, but is much wider in terms of age, specific characteristics [such as ‘lived in experience’ or ‘experience of rural communities], disability – to name a few."
“For me the difference it makes is that you see some really talented people being called forth from society, being drawn into the offering of what makes up the public sector and what makes it all work well, and I think that’s a really great opportunity to meet all these people who are out there, who also share the values of wanting to create a great Scotland and a great set of public services that we all benefit from.”
