Board and Committees

The purpose of the Skills Development Scotland Board is to oversee the organisation’s implementation of government policy.

Board Terms of Reference and Board Standing Orders

Board Membership

Frank Mitchell (Chair)  Graham Hutcheon

Tracy Black                 Dr Poonam Malik

Beth Corcoran             Margaret McCaig

Shelia Cowan              Christine Pollock CBE

Dr Mark Dames           David Rankin

Victoria Erasmus          Carol Evans  

Paul Taylor                  Nazim Hamid               

Professor David Hillier

Damien Yeates

2024/25 Schedule of Meetings

• 22 May 2024
• 21 August 2024
• 20 November 2024
• 19 February 2025

2025/26 Schedule of Meetings

• 21 May 2025
• 20 August 2025
• 19 November 2025
• 18 February 2026

The purpose of the Audit and Risk Committee is to ensure that:

• Internal and external audit arrangements are planned and a well-defined programme of work is in place setting out these arrangements

• Systems are in place to ensure compliance with all legal obligations and regulatory requirements and that appropriate follow up action in respect of non-compliance or fraud

• Systems of internal control and arrangements for the management of business risk are robust.

Terms of Reference

The terms of reference clearly states the committee's purpose and responsibilities.

Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference

Committee membership

• Margaret McCaig (Chair)

• Sheila Cowan

• Poonam Malik

• David Rankin

2024/25 Schedule of Meetings

• 20 June 2024
• 27 June 2024 (special)
• 19 September 2024
• 12 December 2024
• 13 March 2025

2025/26 Schedule of Meetings

• 19 June 2025
• 18 September 2025
• 11 December 2025
• 12 March 2026

The purpose of the Finance and Operational Performance Committee is to ensure efficient and effective financial management and operational performance for Skills Development Scotland for the delivery of Scottish Government targets, and to fulfill SDS's strategic and operational goals.

Terms of Reference

The terms of reference clearly states the committee's purpose and responsibilities.

Finance and Operational Performance Committee Terms of Reference

Committee membership

• David Hillier (Chair)

• Sheila Cowan

• Carol Evans

• David Rankin

2024/25 Schedule of Meetings

• 21 May 2024
• 8 August 2024
• 12 November 2024
• 11 February 2025

2025/26 Schedule of Meetings

• 13 May 2025
• 12 August 2025
• 11 November 2025
• 10 February 2026

The purpose of the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee is to provide detailed scrutiny of SDS remuneration matters including senior management team remuneration, company-wide pay increases and policy, pensions arrangements and other human resources (HR) matters.

Terms of Reference

The terms of reference clearly states the committee's purpose and responsibilities.

Remuneration and Human Resources Committee Terms of Reference

Committee membership

• Beth Corcoran (Chair)

• Mark Dames

• Victoria Erasmus

• Nazim Hamid

2024/25 Schedule of Meetings

• 1 August 2024
• 11 December 2024
• 12 March 2025

2025/26 Schedule of Meetings

• 5 June 2025
• 9 October 2025
• 5 February 2026

The purpose of the Service Development Committee is to oversee on behalf of the Board a forward-looking programme of service design, development and improvement in respect of SDS' key strategic services.

Terms of Reference

The terms of reference clearly states the committee's purpose and responsibilities.

Service Development Committee Terms of Reference

Committee membership

• Christine Pollock (Chair)

• Tracy Black

• Graham Hutcheon

• Paul Taylor

2024/25 Schedule of Meetings

• 25 April 2024
• 25 July 2024
• 4 November 2024
• 23 January 2025

2025/26 Schedule of Meetings

• 3 April 2025
• 24 July 2025
• 30 October 2025
• 22 January 2026