Members appointed to social security Executive Advisory Body

A new Executive Advisory Body has been set up to assist with the delivery of social security in Scotland.

Non-executive members will provide advice and support to Social Security Scotland to help build a service that everyone in the country can be proud of.

Social Security Scotland Chief Executive David Wallace, who will chair the body, said:

“We are delighted to have members with such wide ranging experience and insight, who will help us deliver a new public service that works for the people who use it and one we can all be proud of.

“We took a different approach to traditional public sector appointment process to encourage those with real experience of the social security system to apply and make the process as accessible as possible. I believe that this impressive and passionate group of people is testament to the effectiveness of our approach.

“I look forward to their advice, guidance and support as we progress with the establishment of this major new public service. They will play an important role in ensuring that we are meeting our objectives and making a real difference to people’s lives.”

Background:

• Full list of members and bios

• This is an advisory body. It has been established to ensure that we are following best practice in relation to corporate governance. These appointments have not been made by Scottish Ministers. For more information on Governance, please see our Framework Document.

• Social Security Scotland mirrored the rigour of the Scottish Government public appoint process – although not required to do so. In addition to this, in order to encourage applications from a diverse range of people, Social Security Scotland amended the criteria for applicants and proactively offered to nurture less experienced candidates who show real potential. In order to make the posts accessible for these people, management or senior role experience was not an essential requirement. Applicants could provide examples of experience from working and/or their personal life and we promoted a desire to have people on the body with lived experience of the current social security system.

• Non-executive members will be remunerated at the gross daily rate of £232 per day (non-pensionable) with reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses and reasonable child care/carer costs incurred whilst undertaking Group duties. This would be in line with the remuneration provided to appointees to the Executive Advisory Body, and the Scottish Government’s own non-executive members.

• Appointments were made entirely on merit and the political activity of members played no part in the selection process.