visit scotland board members

Find out more about what our Board members bring to VisitScotland.

Meet our Board

VisitScotland is a Scottish Government non-departmental public body. Its purpose is to promote the interests of the tourism industry across Scotland.

The Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade makes appointments to our Board. This currently has eight members including our Chair, Stephen Leckie.

The Board gathers around six to eight times a year. Members are responsible for approving the direction set out by our Management Team. They also provide general oversight of our practices to ensure proper management of the organisation.

We review our Board members' registers of interests each year and update them as required.

Barbara Smith

Barbara Smith is one of Scotland’s most experienced leaders in the tourism and hospitality sector. She has spent over 35 years working in areas of sport, leisure, tourism, culture and heritage.

She has held senior leadership and Board positions in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, including for:

• Meadowbank stadium
• Edinburgh Castle
• Chester Zoo
• The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

Most recently, she was managing director at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. She also had a portfolio of distillery visitor experiences across Scotland. Barbara is a member of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group as well.

Related undertakings

• Member, Tourism Industry Leadership Group

Last updated:  February 2024

Professor Cara Aitchison

Professor Cara Aitchison has 35 years’ experience in higher education. She was President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Metropolitan University from October 2016 until January 2024.

She was previously:

• Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Plymouth Marjon University
• Head of Moray House School of Education
• Chair in Social and Environmental Justice at Edinburgh University
• Dean of the Faculty of Education, Sport and Tourism at the University of Bedfordshire

Her tourism research has focused on:

• the development and impact of tourism in sustaining rural and remote economies
• widening access to tourism
• the role of tourism in international diplomacy

She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and a Council Member of the All Party Parliamentary (Universities) Group.

Remunerated positions

• Consultant (education)
• Emerita professor, Cardiff Metropolitan University

Houses, land & buildings

• Holiday let, Edinburgh  

Non-financial interests

• Board member, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Relevant and known interests of spouse, partner, and close family

• Spouse - Director, University of the West of Scotland (culture, sports and events)

Caroline Roxburgh

Caroline is a chartered accountant and Chair of our audit and risk committee.

She was an audit partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) LLP. Her non-executive director positions include Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a UK listed Investment Trust.

Caroline has over 30 years’ business experience advising boards in a range of industry sectors. She also has experience as a non-executive director and as a committee chair. 

Her experience covers small businesses to large listed companies in Scotland and globally, including:

• technology and business services organisations
• Non-Executive Director, Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust Plc (investment trust)
• Non-Executive Director, Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust  (investment trust)
• Non-Executive Director, Edinburgh International Festival (international arts festival organisation)
• Non-Executive Director, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (Higher Education institution)

Last updated: June 2023

Dr Keith Nicholson

Dr Nicholson is a former internationally-acclaimed professor with appointments worldwide. These include those within a UN-funded Institute in New Zealand.

He is an award-winning company director and a leading expert in Scotland on cyber security.

Dr Nicholson is also a former member of the Scottish Government’s National Cyber Resilience Leaders Board.

He is widely viewed as a public sector security specialist.

Dr Nicholson is the founder of Cyber Security Scotland and works as an independent consultant.

• Managing Director, 55 North Network Limited (consultancy)
• Chair, Cyber Security Scotland (consultancy)
• Director, Dunnet Head Lighthouse Limited (hospitality)
• Spouse - Director, Dunnet Head Lighthouse Limited (hospitality and events)

Lindsey Paterson

Lindsey Paterson is a qualified chartered accountant and was a partner at PwC until her retirement in June 2022.

Most of her career has been spent providing risk and assurance services to public sector bodies across Scotland and the wider UK.

In addition to her client-facing roles, she also led PwC’s place and purpose agenda in Scotland.

In doing so, she had a key responsibility in relation to:

• communities

She joined the Board of Glasgow Clyde College in February 2021.

Paul Easto founded Wilderness Scotland, which provides active and nature-based travel experiences for visitors from around the world.

He has more than 20 years of professional experience in tourism, having held board positions with the Adventure Travel Trade Association and the Cairngorms National Park. He also chaired the Sustainable Tourism Partnership for the latter.

Paul also chaired the Scottish Destination Management Association and the Outdoor Tourism Leadership Group.

A graduate of Dundee and Edinburgh Universities, Paul holds an MBA with specialisms in leadership and sustainable business. He is currently the chief sustainability officer with the Active Travel Group.

• Director, Wilderness Scotland Ltd (tour operator)

Interests in share and securities

• Active Travel Group Limited (93,639 shares)

Shona Marsh

Shona began her tourism career on a tourist office welcome desk and has since held various roles. These have included:

• sustainable tourism
• destination management organisation (DMO) marketing and membership development
• tourism consultancy
• commercial development for small and medium enterprises in the industry

She was the first employee of the startup, Accomable. Acquired by Airbnb, this is a global vacation rental platform for people with disabilities. At Airbnb, she managed the integration of Accomable. She then moved to manage commercial growth of Airbnb Experiences across Northern Europe.

Passionate about accessibility in travel and tourism, she is a board member of the charity Disability Snowsport UK.

She runs education and accelerator programmes for tech startups in Scotland and across the UK.

• Head of Education Programmes, CodeBase Ltd (provision of business services) 
• Airbnb (357 ordinary shares)
• Trustee, Disability Snowsport UK (snowsports lessons and holidays for people of all abilities)

Steven Walker

Steven Walker is the executive chair at Blazing Griffin, a Scottish digital entertainment company.

He is also chair of the joint industry panel managing the Scottish Thistle Awards, and a former MD of Scotsman Publications, News International Scotland, and The Scottish Children’s Lottery.

Most recently, he was the director of corporate development at STV Group Plc.

He brings significant leadership skills and valuable e-commerce, digital media, marketing and brand development expertise.

• Chair, Blazing Keep Ltd (digital media production)
• Board Advisor, MBC Lotteries Ltd (charity lotteries)

Last updated:  June 2023

Board member code of conduct

Our Board members have a responsibility to the Scottish public to meet expectations on how they conduct themselves while carrying out their duties for VisitScotland. All Board members work to the high standards of conduct as outlined in The Ethical Standards in Public Life (Scotland) Act 2000.

Published May 2018

Read more about the general principles that guide our Board's standard of conduct.

Related links

Our chief executive, board minutes, annual and corporate reports.

We use cookies

We use Cookies to improve your experience on this site.

You can accept our cookies policy or customise your choices .

Please refer to our Cookies Policy for more information.

VisitScotland Board member Steven Walker

Steven Walker is currently Executive Chair at Blazing Griffin, a Scottish digital entertainment company. He is a former Managing Director of Scotsman Publications, News International Scotland and The Scottish Children+IBk-s Lottery.

Asset type image

Asset extension JPG

File size 2.08 MB

Dimensions 2880×3600px

Expiry No expiry date

Source: VisitScotland Media Toolkit

Uploaded at: 05 September 2019 08:20 AM

Credit VisitScotland / PRImaging

Usage Editorial content can be published in a variety of formats ranging from print or digital to online. In print content can be featured in *newspapers *magazines *brochures. Online content can be published in a *blog *website *article or *social media. Regardless of the format this content should always promote Scotland’s tourism in a positive way.

Location Thornhill , Dumfries and Galloway , Scotland

View full term of use

2019 Accommodation Active Attraction Autumn Board Communitee Conference Event Food and Drink Gardens Hotel Industry Invest Luxury People Photo Call PR Press Staff Steven Walker Themes Tourism UNESCO VisitScotland

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

Why Scotland

• Associations
• Meet our associations and sectors team

Meet our associations & sectors team

Associations are vital organisations for their members, sharing learning between delegates, creating communities, and furthering lifelong learning. In Scotland all of your delegates are welcome, and we know they will receive a warm Scottish welcome wherever they go. We caught up with our associations and sectors team to discuss their experience and knowledge of the sector, how they created enhanced opportunities for delegates to learn and engage with Scotland's academics and key sectors. Rory Archibald, Senior Business Events Manager Rory Archibald at Journey to Change: Business Events Conversation I came into the business events industry more than 15 years ago, experiencing a variety of roles at several hotels and venues before joining VisitScotland in December 2015. Over the seven years my role has evolved, and I am now responsible for overseeing the marketing and PR for all of business events, directing the implementation of the business events strategy across all teams and deputising for the Head of Business Events. I work with the rest of the Associations and Sectors team to promote Scotland as an academic and sectoral conference destination while linking Scottish expertise and innovation in order to capture social transformation wherever possible through the power of events. Nothing quite beats the uniqueness and intrigue of the associations market. One day you are discussing a niche topic with an esteemed academic and the next you have a call with the Scottish Government to discuss promoting our innovation through events. We are privileged to be able to travel across Europe and North America to various trade shows, industry conferences and sales missions to promote our country and all that it offers. Every event we work on is notable in its own right, with hundreds of association and sectoral conferences coming to Scotland each year. In 2019, I was lucky enough to attend the TEDSummit in Edinburgh, a four-day event packed with inspirational talks from some of the world’s leading minds. The team worked closely with Convention Edinburgh, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise to help secure the event. Another event that I was fortunate enough to attend was the A3 Conference, which took place in April 2022 and promoted Scotland’s animal health, agritech and aquaculture industries. This event was very special; it was conceived in Scotland and VisitScotland Business Events supported it from the beginning to make it a reality. Association events are a chance to unite world’s leaders around the same table. The opportunity at each and every event is to discover new innovations that have the power to change the world. Scotland’s pedigree on discoveries, which have quite literally changed the world overnight, is impressive and that continues to this day by engaging delegates with our academia and knowledge, to share what we do and to learn from the rest of the world. There is no destination that embraces collaboration, innovation and the desire for positive societal transformation more than Scotland. Scotland is the destination that made its name, changing the world, and the #JourneyToChange continues more powerfully that it ever has done. Fiona Mackinnon, Assistant Manager - Associations & Sectors Fiona Mackinnon at Journey to Change: Business Events Conversation I have worked within the VisitScotland Business Events team since 2016. My role is primarily to inspire associations to hold their events in Scotland through marketing and the promotion of the country as a conference destination. We look to attract events that benefit Scotland and where we have local expertise on the subject matter. The other side of our work is to know and work with our key sectors, facilitate introductions and to highlight our country’s strengths. One benefit for conference organisers is Scotland’s collaborative approach and how well connected we are with our academics, innovation centres and industry. As a small nation we have always worked with others, and we do so with passion and a genuine interest in making each event memorable and meaningful. I have worked in many business events roles over the last 30 plus years, predominately in sales and each role has involved working with and supporting business event clients, across meetings, incentives, and conventions. I find associations to be fascinating organisations. The regular conferences that each association organises provides their members with an invaluable platform to make connections, learn, present research, mentor and be mentored as their careers progress. Each congress is a time away from their individual job roles and a chance to enhance their professional life. Being the host destination for these events is an honour and a chance for each group to understand the work in the sector taking place in Scotland and to enjoy the warmth of Scottish hospitality. Personally, I have found each association I have worked with directly to be fascinating, but SPIE and the European Space Agency stand out; they are both fantastic organisations, which are involved in such interesting work. Scotland is such a great choice for association events as we can really look to understand their aims and work with them to ensure that the country not only delivers a memorable conference but exceeds their original expectations. As a small country, it is easy for both organisers and delegates to move around our conference cities and enjoy the many cultural elements they expect, with our world-renowned music, food and stunning landscapes. Leaving a lasting memory and a desire to return. Sian Williamson, Assistant Manager - Associations & Sectors Sian Williamson at Innovate The Nation talk My role within VisitScotland Business Events involves helping to bring national and international association events to Scotland.  Prior to joining the associations team, I worked for a legal firm for seven years doing marketing and events so I have experienced organising small and large events from a client perspective. Although, marketing Scotland, however, is much more exciting than wills and powers of attorney. I have worked in the team since 2009 and I still feel very privileged to work here. When I started, I worked within the corporate and incentives team and moved across to work within the associations and sectors team in 2015, it was a steep and refreshing learning curve they are very different markets. My wider role within the team involves the implementation of sales and marketing activities, researching associations and our Scottish industry and sectors. Along with my colleague Patrick, I also administer our VisitScotland National Conference Bid Fund and support our marketing team with social media and website project work. I have also had the opportunity to work closely with my colleagues to deliver successful projects like Legends and Journey to Change.  My role is very varied day to day which keeps it interesting after 13 years and I have been lucky enough to work with and be supported by so many great colleagues along the way. Within my role I have also been able to host and support many events. In 2018, VisitScotland supported the World Down Syndrome Congress, although I wasn't directly involved in the logistics of the congress itself, I was the lead in administering our VisitScotland National Conference Bid Fund award for the event. It was a great feeling to know that we were supporting a business event coming to our country which championed inclusive societies and had a positive impact. Scotland has so much to offer the association market. Our pioneering spirit goes back centuries and we are still at the forefront of many world-leading projects and innovations today. We are an inclusive country, welcoming to all with a love of our culture, our lands and traditions. We want delegates who come to Scotland to experience all of this and return to experience this with their family and friends. Patrick Lamont, Business Events Policy Engagement Manager Patrick Lamont at ICCA Global Association Community Forum I have worked for VisitScotland Business Events team since 2016. My role has adapted and evolved since I joined, and at the moment I work across several of our key projects including the National Conference Bid Fund, the Journey to Change marketing campaign and the newly launched Transformation Protocol. I see my role as one that is to help promote Scotland as a destination for all types of business events, and to work with both our key partners and clients to help make their events as successful as possible. We have just begun an important transition towards aligning conference support to Scottish Government policy, and really trying to help government understand that conferences can be catalysts for change, not just economic events – and that’s something I’m very excited to be involved with. My background in events was a bit different – I was working in Afghanistan for an NGO when I became involved with TED and helped to organise the first ever TEDx conference in Kabul in 2012. When I finally moved home to Scotland in 2016, I was really keen to work for VisitScotland, and the opportunity to work in business events again was one I was delighted to take. I think the association world is a really fascinating one to be involved with. I’m really proud that Scotland is leading a new understanding of association events as potential agents of social and economic change and moving away from just seeing them as a source of hotel occupancy and revenue. The great thing about working with associations is how diverse the subjects are and learning so much about so many different areas of work. I think Scotland has a lot to offer associations, especially those who are keen to break the mould and engage with a destination in a new way. Of course, we have beautiful venues and world class facilities, and hospitality, but we can also connect associations with our innovation and research centres, and in return we can learn from them at a policy level. Scotland offers associations a destination willing to engage, learn and to share our own knowledge at a much deeper level, and I think that’s pretty exciting. If you have any questions, please find the assocaitions & sectors' team contact details here.

Other things you might like

Research and innovation , transformation protocol for business event organisers  , scottish association surveys results , scotland's key growth sectors , cookie policy.

VisitScotland uses cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By using our website you consent to our use of cookies. Please read our new privacy and cookies statement for more information.

• Local Businesses
• Content Hub
• Business Events
• Travel Trade

Think road trips with coastal views, walking tours taking in iconic city centre sites, incredible cycling paths that run through Royal Deeside - there’s a route with your name on it.

Great Outdoors

Venture out in the crisp and clear fresh air with views for miles across great estates and heathery moors.

Adventure Activities

From mountain bike trails and Munro Bagging, to paddleboarding and skiing, find your outdoor adventure in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Culture & Arts

Embrace and discover Scottish culture in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Join us as we celebrate ancient traditions and spark new ones.

History & Heritage

Ancient sites and symbols, mysterious standing stones, towering granite walls and legendary castles mark Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as a heartland of Scottish history.

The panoramic views and elemental power of our courses can take a golfer’s breath away. We are home to some of the world's most famous and challenging golf courses.

Food & Drink

Full-flavoured, hearty and comforting world-famous Aberdeen Angus beef, seafood and whisky. And, as the home of Brewdog, leading the way in the craft beer revolution.

Aberdeen city break

• What's On

Foodie Experiences

Become a master chocolatier or take a butchery class - Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is well served for foodies.

Farm Experiences

Surrounded by vast countryside, Aberdeenshire is home to a wealth of farming, agricultural and foodie experiences.

Foodie Events

Get a taste for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with the fantastic foodie events and festivals.

Independents

Find our best local produce in quaint deli cafes, traditional pubs and stylish Michelin Guide restaurants across the region

Michelin Guide

No matter where you stay in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire a Michelin worthy establishment is never too far away.

VisitScotland's 'Taste Our Best'

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have long been serving up some of Scotland’s most premium local produce creating a name for itself as an iconic food destination.

From the Turf

Find a restaurant in Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire serving world-class Aberdeen-Angus beef, venison and local wild game.

From the Surf

With our coastal location you can enjoy some of the freshest fish and seafood in the world. Find and book a restaurant in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire.

Vegan & Vegetarian

Whatever your reason, if you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan food, we’ve got you covered.

Discover the “The Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire”, produced by distilleries dating from the 18th and 19th centuries

Aberdeenshire is leading the craft beer revolution. Here you'll find Brewdog's brewery and flagship bar, and many other bars serving up their very own delicious beers.

Bars & Nightlife

Enjoy stylish bars, traditional Scottish pubs and vibrant nightlife in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Sweet Treats

Satisfy your sweet tooth with stylish afternoon teas, famous ice cream parlours and freshly baked cakes & local delicacies

Grab and Go

If time's against you, try one of these many takeaway options for a hearty and healthy meal on the move.

Sunday Roast

Celebrate the Sunday Roast tradition with your family and friends at a selection of our cafes, restaurants and bistros.

Breakfast & Brunch

Kick start your day with a locally produced breakfast or brunch. It’s the most important meal of the day, after all!

Enjoy a lunch with a view, watch the world go by in a quaint café, or relax alfresco in one of our award winning parks or gardens

Evening Meal

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are well known for rich local produce with restaurants serving up fresh seafood, Aberdeen Angus Beef and wild game

Towns + Villages

Explore Aberdeenshire, which is made up of some of Scotland’s most picturesque and welcoming towns and villages

Accommodation in Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire

Stay in quirky coastal carriages, welcoming B&Bs, and chic boutique hotels. We have something to suit all tastes and budgets

Getting Here

Aberdeen is well connected globally with its own international airport, railway station, ferry terminal and bus station

Cruise Guests - Welcome to Aberdeen

Getting Around

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire can be easily explored by most modes of transport

Tour Guides & Guided Tours

Suggested Itineraries

Check out our suggested itineraries and make the most of your trip to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Suggested Maps

Touring Routes and Trails

Deals & Offers

Equipment Hire

Shopping & Souvenirs

• Meet the board

In this section

• Meet the team
• Contract opportunities

Claire Bruce

Chair & Executive Director

Executive Director & Chief Executive

Jennifer Craw

Stakeholder Director - Opportunity North East

Councillor Miranda Radley

Council Director - Aberdeen City Council

Councillor John Cox

Council Director - Aberdeenshire Council

Frank Whitaker

Hotels Association Appointed Director

Allan Henderson

Appointed Director

Iain Hawkins

Jordan Charles

Kim Woolner

Leah Hodder

Vice Chair & Appointed Director

Lorraine Waddell

Mark Beveridge

Marlene mitchell.

Fiona Douglas

Company Secretary

Read more about it!

Sign up to the VisitAberdeenshire newsletter. Your regular guide to what to see and do in the region.

Copyright © VisitAberdeenshire 2024 | Privacy Notice | Accessibility | About Us

Interactive Virtual Magazine

• Magazine Contacts
• Follow @Coach_ToursUK

Login or Register FREE Account

Forgot Password?

VisitScotland Board member search begins

VisitScotland has announced its search for new members to join its board

The national tourism organisation is looking to appoint up to three new board members to help shape the future of Scottish tourism.

It wants applicants to demonstrate experience in one of these areas, strategic importance of human resources, sustainability/environmental management, working for a large global hotel group or working at a senior level in the transport sector whether road, rail, air, or sea.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry was worth around £12 billion to Scotland’s economy, representing around 5% of Scottish GDP, and making it a vital provider across Scotland’s cities, towns, and rural areas.

Scotland had seen significant increases in visitor numbers, pre-2020, particularly from overseas, showing that the recovery of the tourism industry is crucial to the country’s overall economic bounce back. The Scottish Government is committed to working with Scotland’s tourism industry and other partners to support this common goal and VisitScotland, as the national tourism agency, plays a critical role in achieving it.

Lord Thurso, VisitScotland Chair, said: “I am extremely proud of and passionate about being part of an organisation that is a huge wealth creator for Scotland. VisitScotland’s success in this area depends on having the right people and a forward thinking, digital and sustainable strategy as the world changes around us. The VisitScotland board helps to shape this through the organisation’s culture and staff engagement.

“To this end, I value the benefits of having Members with different experiences and points of view on the Board very highly and I would encourage applications from people who are currently under-represented on Boards of body, such as women, disabled people, those from Black and ethnic minority communities, LGBTI+ people, and people aged under 50.”

The deadline for applications is 6 May 2022. To find out more about the roles, or the work of VisitScotland, visit www.visitscotland.org/news/2022/visitscotland-board-search

You might also like

RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gardens Reduce their Carbon footprint

THE BRIT FEST PROMISES 100 ACRES OF FUN IN THE SUN THIS SUMMER

Leading tour operators set to Discover North East England

This site uses some unobtrusive cookies to store information on your computer, these are in place to ensure that you receive the best possible experience when using the Coach Tours UK website.

A Central NY village board member arrested after sending ‘creepy mail’ to official

• Updated: May. 03, 2024, 3:10 p.m. |
• Published: May. 03, 2024, 8:30 a.m.

Baldwinsville village hall. A village trustee and her wife have been charged with stalking another village official. syracuse.com

• Elizabeth Doran | [email protected]

Baldwinsville, NY — It started in November with an envelope containing a single card that said “Hi” in cut-out letters, which had been glued to a page along with stickers of the MTV logo, a cassette, a bird and an animal.

The recipients didn’t think much of it at the time, although the card was unsigned. But as more anonymous letters, and then packages, began arriving from all over the country and piling up at Mark and Sandy Baker’s Baldwinsville home, their curiosity turned into worry and fear, according to court papers.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Springfield school board member Shurita Thomas-Tate is PFLAG 'Advocate of the Year'

Springfield school board member Shurita Thomas-Tate was honored with the Kathryn J. Munzinger Advocate of the Year Award by PFLAG Springfield/SWMO at a reception April 21.

Thomas-Tate was among six nominees for the award, named for LGBTQIA+ advocate and volunteer Kathy Munzinger. Munzinger has served in many roles on the PFLAG Springfield/SWMO board and now serves as regional director for the Central Region of PFLAG chapters and the PFLAG National Board of Directors.

“We are so grateful for Kathy’s continued service to PFLAG and our greater community as well as the impact she has made and is making in cultivating a more inclusive world,” said Melisabeth Johnston, program and communication director of PFLAG Springfield/SWMO.

Thomas-Tate’s nomination pointed out that she was the only Springfield school board member to support the LGBTQIA+ community with an official statement of support for LGBTQIA+ students and staff. “She stood alone in this show of support for our community,” the nomination stated. And for this she “deserves to be publicly recognized for bravely doing the right thing by listening to our community and supporting our students, even when no one else had the courage to do so.”

Thomas-Tate is an associate professor in Missouri State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, founder of Ujima, which offers free monthly literacy and language experiences for children, and is serving her second term on the Springfield school board.

Other nominees included Ashley Quinn, the Rev. Emily Bowen-Marler, Tammy Dixon, Kyler Sherman-Wilkins and Christi Lancaster.

The reception, which was held at Q Enoteca on Commercial Street, also included a celebration of PFLAG’s 2024 scholarship recipients. Each student received a $2,500 check to help with education expenses. The recipients are John Dove, a Missouri State University student pursuing a master’s degree in education; Gwendolyn Schwarz, who has been accepted to the University of Virginia’s media studies master’s program; and Tad Monnig, a graduate student in the master of international affairs program at MSU.

The PFLAG Springfield/SWMO Scholarship was created in 2018, developed from the scholarship program originally created by Springfield’s FOCUS after that organization dissolved, Johnston explained.

“The program has expanded since 2018, as it has more than doubled in size thanks to a considerable donation from Springfield Black Tie as well as generous donations from various individual donors,” she said. “We also have many more towns in SWMO participating, with applicants from across the region. This is made possible thanks to the many LGBTQ+ affirming counselors and teachers that passed along our information to help their students succeed.”

The applications for next year's scholarship will be open in the fall and can be found at www.pflagswmo.org .

PFLAG also offers scholarships for LGBTQ+ people who have faced barriers to finish their high school education. The Jim House HISET Scholarship, in collaboration with The GLO Center, covers testing fees for the HISET (formerly the GED) as well as a small stipend for study materials, transportation, childcare, or other needs. Applications for that scholarship are rolling and also available on the website.

MTA Missing Math Clock

Release: gottheimer, goldman lead 21 democratic members of congress urging columbia university’s board of trustees to protect jewish students, disband encampment, reminds columbia’s board of their legal obligation to protect students from identity-based harassment.

WASHINGTON, DC  — Today, April 29, 2024, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Dan Goldman (NY-10) led a letter signed by a group of twenty-one Members of Congress urging Columbia University’s Board of Trustees to disband the encampment located on its campus. 

For the past week, this encampment has been the breeding ground for antisemitic attacks on Jewish students, including hate speech, harassment, intimidation, and even threats of violence. Last weekend, a student  held up a sign  pointing to pro-Israel students that said “Al-Qa[ss]am’s next targets,” referring to the military arm of Hamas, the foreign terrorist organization responsible for the atrocities of October 7, and for holding hostage innocent civilians – including Americans – in brutal captivity for nearly seven months. 

One of the protest leaders has also  previously declared , “Zionists — they are Nazis. They’re Nazis. They’re fascists. They’re supporters of genocide. Why would we want people who are supporters of genocide to live?” and students routinely chanted “from the river to the sea,” which is a cry to eliminate Israel and all Jews within its borders.

The White House has already  roundly condemned the encampment at Columbia , stating “While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous – they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America.”

The signatory list of twenty-one Members of Congress includes Reps. Gottheimer (NJ-5), Goldman (NY-10), Hoyer (MD-5), Cuellar (TX-28), Frankel (FL-22), Landsman (OH-1), Manning (NC-6), Menendez (NJ-8), Moskowitz (FL-23), Nickel (NC-13), Norcross (NJ-1), Pappas (NH-1), Phillips (MN-3), Schiff (CA-30), Schneider (IL-10), Soto (FL-9), Stevens (MI-11), Suozzi (NY-3), Torres (NY-15), Veasey (TX-33), and Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).

“The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and assembly, but not freedom to harass and intimidate other students,”  wrote twenty-one Members of Congress in a letter to Columbia University’s Board of Trustees.  “Academic institutions must ensure the safety and security of all of their students under Title VI. It is clear to us that the University has allowed the encampment to create an environment that appears to violate its legal obligations to protect all students from discrimination and harassment. As a result, many students who are paying for an education — supported by the federal government — cannot safely attend class, enter the library, or leave their dorm rooms.”

The members continued,  “After nearly a week of negotiations, it is now abundantly clear that the students and activists entrenched on campus are unwilling to enter into a reasonable agreement to disband, which is necessary to bring the University into compliance with Title VI. Those who violate the law cannot dictate the terms of the University’s ability to comply with that law. It is past time for the University to act decisively, disband the encampment, and ensure the safety and security of all of its students.”

Full text of the letter sent to Columbia University’s Trustees can be found here and below:

April 29, 2024

Columbia University in the City of New York 

The Trustees of Columbia University C/O Office of the Secretary 211 Low Library

535 West 116th Street New York, NY 10027

To the Trustees of Columbia University:

We, the undersigned, write to express our disappointment that, despite promises to do so, Columbia University has not yet disbanded the unauthorized and impermissible encampment of anti-Israel, anti-Jewish activists on campus. As a result of this disruption on campus, supported by some faculty members, many students have been prevented from safely attending class, the main library, and from leaving their dorm rooms in an apparent violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

For the past week, this encampment has been the breeding ground for antisemitic attacks on Jewish students, including hate speech, harassment, intimidation, and even threats of violence. Last weekend, a student held up a sign pointing to pro-Israel students that said “Al-Qa[ss]am’s next targets,” referring to the military arm of Hamas, the foreign terrorist organization responsible for the atrocities of October 7, and for holding hostage innocent civilians – including Americans – in brutal captivity for nearly seven months. One of the protest leaders has previously declared, “Zionists — they are Nazis. They’re Nazis. They’re fascists. They’re supporters of genocide. Why would we want people who are supporters of genocide to live?” and students routinely chanted “from the river to the sea,” which is a cry to eliminate Israel and all Jews within its borders.

In response, the White House has rightly stated, “While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous – they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America.”

Earlier this week, the Columbia administration tacitly acknowledged that the encampment had created an impermissibly hostile and unsafe environment for Jewish students by resorting to hybrid learning, appearing to violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. In other words, instead of solving the root cause of discrimination and harassment that students faced on campus, the administration decided to segregate some students from campus altogether, which naturally created an unsafe environment on campus for all students.

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and assembly, but not freedom to harass and intimidate other students. Academic institutions must ensure the safety and security of all of their students under Title VI. It is clear to us that the University has allowed the encampment to create an environment that appears to violate its legal obligations to protect all students from discrimination and harassment. As a result, many students who are paying for an education — supported by the federal government — cannot safely attend class, enter the library, or leave their dorm rooms.

We appreciate the Columbia administration’s efforts this week to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement that allows those in the encampment to voluntarily disburse without police intervention. But, after nearly a week of negotiations, it is now abundantly clear that the students and activists entrenched on campus are unwilling to enter into a reasonable agreement to disband, which is necessary to bring the University into compliance with Title VI.

Those who violate the law cannot dictate the terms of the University’s ability to comply with that law. It is past time for the University to act decisively, disband the encampment, and ensure the safety and security of all of its students.

The time for negotiation is over; the time for action is now. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to act. If any Trustees are unwilling to do this, they should resign so that they can be replaced by individuals who will uphold the University’s legal obligations under Title VI.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Recent Posts

Release: gottheimer hosts fifth district service academy ceremony, congratulates accepted students.

18 Fifth District High School Students Gottheimer Nominated Now Accepted to U.S. Service Academies Above: Gottheimer with this year’s Fifth District students accepted into U.S. service academies. NORTH JERSEY — Today, May 4, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) congratulated the Fifth District high school students he nominated and who were accepted to one of the four […]

RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces Record $4.8 Million in Nonprofit Security Grants, Stands Against Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Other Forms of Hate

Above: Gottheimer announces new Nonprofit Security Grants TEANECK, NJ — Today, May 3, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls to announce a record $4.8 million in Nonprofit Security Grants to 34 nonprofit organizations across North Jersey. The grantees — a mix of synagogues, mosques, churches, gurdwaras, religious schools, and […]

RELEASE: Gottheimer Co-Hosts Bipartisan Tour of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Above: Gottheimer speaking to colleagues at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) co-hosted a bipartisan tour of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Gottheimer co-hosted the tour with Reps. David Kustoff (TN-8), Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4), Don Bacon (NE-2), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Dean Phillips […]

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Corporate information
• Natural England register of board members' interests

Natural England register of board members' interests 2024

Published 3 May 2024

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-register-of-board-members-interests/natural-england-register-of-board-members-interests-2024

This register lists current interests held by Natural England board members. It includes:

• directorships, board memberships or other positions
• company shareholdings
• significant landholdings
• political activity
• membership of professional societies and associations
• lay memberships

Dr Tony Juniper CBE

Remunerated interests.

• Director and employee of TonyJuniper.com Limited

Unremunerated interests

• Board of Trustees – Cool Earth
• Member of Council of Trustees - Flora and Fauna International
• Member - Friends of the Earth
• Member - Greenpeace
• Member - RSPB
• Member - Wildlife Trusts
• Member - National Trust
• Member – Butterfly Conservation

Marian Spain (ex officio Board member)

• Chief Executive, Natural England
• Plantlife International
• Campaign for National Parks
• National Trust

The Rt Hon Lord Blencathra

• Board Member – Food Standards Agency
• Board Member – Community Interest Company - Clean Streets
• Board Member – Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• Appointed by His Majesty’s Government to the Council of Europe

Political activity

• Member of the House of Lords taking the Conservative Party Whip
• Member of the House of Lords Liaison Committee

Professor Mel Austen

• Professor of Ocean and Society, University of Plymouth
• Director - Carew Wharf Management Company Limited
• Chair - Partnership of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in North Devon
• Royal Society of Biology
• British Ecological Society
• Marine Biological Association
• Member - Royal National Lifeboat Institute

Professor Lynn Dicks

• Professor of Ecology, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
• Trustee, Royal Entomological Society
• Royal Entomological Society
• Cool Farm Alliance (member of Science Advisory Committee)
• Society for Conservation Biology
• Member - Bumblebee Conservation Trust
• Member - Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants
• Member - Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society

Catherine Dugmore

• Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, Non Executive Member and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
• Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, NED, Senior Independent Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
• Housing 21, Board Member and Chair of Audit Assurance Committee
• Aldwickbury School Trust, School Governor
• Member - Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wale (ICAEW)
• Ambassador – World Wildlife Fund (WWF UK)
• Lifetime member – Kew Friends

Professor Clare Fitzsimmons

• Marine scientist, Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Degree Programme Director at the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University
• Board Member - Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Henry Robinson

• BHR Resources Limited
• Trustee – Bowood Estate
• Trustee – Flete Estate
• Trustee – Brimpsfield Park Estate
• Fellow – Royal Agricultural Society
• Country Land and Business Association (CLA)
• National Farmers Union (NFU)
• Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) Landscape Recovery pilot

Significant landholdings

• Moor Wood Farm

Kim Shillinglaw

• Board member - The Natural Environment Research Council
• Member - Ofcom Content Board
• Board member - Axis Studios Group
• Non-executive Independent Board Member at BEIS
• External Director - Britain’s Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS)
• Chair – Wellcome Trust Project
• Board member - Raspberry Pi Foundation

Dame Caroline Spelman

• Non Executive Director, Commonwealth Games England Board
• Trustee of Church of England and Chair of Diocese Commission
• Member of the Conservative Party
• Trustee of British Horse Society
• Royal Society for Protection of Birds
• Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Peter Unwin

• Director – Yester Park Maintenance Ltd
• Chair of Chislehurst Golf Club Ltd
• Aldersgate Group

Is this page useful?

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

• Skip to main content
• Accessibility help

Information

We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Board of VisitScotland

Public appointments news release

This document is part of a collection

• Public appointments: news releases

The Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade, Richard Lochhead MSP, today announced the appointment of Stephen Leckie as Chair of the Board of VisitScotland.

Stephen Leckie is CEO and Executive Chair of Crieff Hydro. He is a long-time advocate for Scotland’s wider tourism and has been a longstanding committee member for UK Hospitality. He is also currently Chair of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, President of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross.  He brings a broad background to VisitScotland.  As an operator of hotels, self-catering and attractions across different parts of rural Scotland, Stephen is well versed in the challenges and opportunities on the ground; as a longstanding Chair, he is familiar with working to maximise the impact of boards and organisations.

Stephen intends to step down from his roles with the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Scottish Chamber of Commerce in the coming year.

Appointment

The appointment is for three years from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2027.

The appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The appointment attracts remuneration of £35,616 per annum for a time commitment of up to seven days per month.

Other Ministerial appointments

Stephen does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Stephen has had no political activity within the last five years.

VisitScotland is the Scottish Government Non-Departmental Public Body responsible for promoting the interests of the Scottish tourism and events industry. It has wide statutory powers to promote Scotland as a quality destination; and to drive the visitor economy, growing its value to Scotland. VisitScotland has a core budget of around £45 million per annum. It is funded in part by the Scottish Government.

There is a problem

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback helps us to improve this website. Do not give any personal information because we cannot reply to you directly.

North East marina will have new people managing it. How they'll work to keep it open

North east borough council will appoint the five-member board when it meets monday night. the next day it will file articles of incorporation with state..

NORTH EAST — Borough Council will seat five people to serve on the newly formed Community Marina Authority when it meets in regular session Monday evening.

The next day, it will file articles of incorporation with the Pennsylvania Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

And then the work begins.

What community members have been requesting for more than six months — the formation of an authority — will allow the new entity to begin negotiating with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission for the transfer of ownership of the North East Marina, 11950 East Lake Road.

On April 1, Borough Council passed a resolution to form the authority and seek applicants to serve on the inaugural board. The deadline for applications was April 30. At its April 15 meeting, Borough Council approved the articles of incorporation for the North East Community Marina Authority.

Nine people applied to serve on the authority, according to Borough Council member Heather Jones.

Initially, the authority was supposed to be a joint venture between the borough and township, but North East Township Supervisors in February announced that they would proceed with an economic impact study to learn more about the potential costs of operating the marina and how to generate adequate revenue from the regional asset. Borough Council, however, opted to proceed in hopes of retaining as many boaters as possible.

Last week, a Facebook page for the North East Community Marina notified boaters in a post that they are not under any obligation to remove their boats from marina property, but it is unclear if the new authority will be able to keep open more than 200 private boat slips that the Fish & Boat Commission closed for the current boating season.

Jones said that even though the township will form the authority, township supervisors are still being encouraged to play a role in it when and if they determine they're ready.

"Ultimately, we know we're better together," Jones said about the borough and township having a joint role in forming the authority.

Start of efforts to save marina

State Rep. Jake Banta, R-4th Dist., and resident Dan Adamus, a trustee for the North East Community Foundation and a member of the Fuller Hose Co., began their efforts to save the marina in 2023 after the Fish & Boat Commission announced that it would close the private boats slips for the 2024 boat season.

The Fish & Boat Commission opted to close the private slips due to new dredging requirements that drove up the cost of the annual maintenance as well as the cost to move sand from the west side of the marina basin to the east side to prevent erosion down shore. Those costs have made operating the marina — the only one under Fish & Boat Commission's authority in the entire state — financially constraining for the state agency. Another issue was the discovery of unsafe electrical lines on the docks and the potential cost associated with an overhaul of the utility.

Banta and Adamus pitched the idea of having Borough Council and the North East Township Board of Supervisors form an authority to own and operate the marina, in order to remove any financial liability that borough and township taxpayers might face if the borough or township took over the marina themselves.

The Fish & Boat Commission has been willing to work with the community to transfer the property and potentially provide start-up funds for the authority.

North East Borough Council will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at Borough Hall, 31 West Main St.

Matthew Rink can be reached at  [email protected]  or on X at  @ETNRink .

Third proxy advisory firm urges Norfolk Southern investors to elect Ancora directors

• Medium Text

• Company Ancora Holdings Inc Follow
• Company Norfolk Southern Corp Follow
• Company United Parcel Service Inc Follow

Sign up here.

Reporting by Abhinav Parmar in Bengaluru and Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Boston; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Lincoln Feast.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Business Chevron

Uaw workers ratify us labor deal with daimler truck.

Members of the United Auto Workers on Saturday ratified a new labor contract with Daimler Truck that includes at least a 25% general wage increase over the four-year deal.

Milwaukee Public School Board member Aisha Carr resigns effective immediately

Milwaukee School Board member Aisha Carr submitted her resignation Wednesday evening, according to an email obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The resignation comes after questions were raised about Carr's residency and comments she made about planting a recording device in the district superintendent's office.

Carr's resignation letter did not include an explanation for why she was resigning. She did not immediately reply to interview requests from the Journal Sentinel. The resignation was confirmed by multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

"It has been a great honor to serve the children of the City of Milwaukee," Carr wrote in her letter, adding that her resignation was effective immediately.

Under Milwaukee Public School Board rules , the board can only fill a vacancy by holding a special election. The winner of that election will serve for the remainder of Carr's term, which is up in April next year.

School Board President Marva Herndon said she’s seeking legal advice about how to move forward. She said she was “blindsided” by the news and didn’t have a clue why Carr resigned.

“Losing a person is disruptive but we can handle it; we will handle it,” Herndon said. “It’s still eight people on the board and we will get our work done.”

Carr was subject of investigation by District Attorney's office

Records unsealed in April showed that the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office in January was investigating whether Carr had lied about living in the district she represents. The office has not answered questions from the Journal Sentinel about whether that investigation is ongoing. Online circuit court records do not show any misconduct charges filed against Carr.

Carr, who had shared publicly that she did not live in District 4 while she was campaigning for the north side board seat in 2021, said she was going to move to the district before she got sworn in. She told the Journal Sentinel last month that she had done nothing illegal or unethical.

"As previously stated, I have and continue to reside in my district," she said.

The unsealed search warrant showed the District Attorney's office had obtained Carr's cellphone GPS records to determine where she had been spending time. In asking for the warrant, an investigator for the District Attorney's office said Carr had "filed numerous documents" with MPS listing an address he believed would be shown to be false, noting that utility and voting records appeared to indicate she was living outside District 4 until last year.

It's a Class I felony for public officials to intentionally falsify records, carrying a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and two years of extended supervision.

Carr could have also been subject of MPS board investigation

Separately, Carr told the Journal Sentinel ahead of a April 18 meeting that she  believed she was the subject  of a misconduct complaint that was reviewed privately by the school board that night. The nature of that complaint has not been made public.

School board members said they were unable to share what happened in that closed-session meeting. Board members had the option to initiate an investigation into the alleged misconduct, which could result in a vote to censure or remove a board member.

Carr had told the Journal Sentinel she expected that the complaints were likely about her because of disagreements she has had with other board members and administrators. Carr has been critical of MPS leadership and opposed the  April 2 referendum that raised the district's taxing authority .

Dozens of supporters of Carr packed that board meeting April 18. Residents cheered for Carr throughout the evening, with some speakers saying they would work to vote out any board members who tried to boot Carr from the board.

Carr was recorded saying she planted a recording device

Earlier this year, a recorded conversation surfaced online in which Carr could be heard telling a former Milwaukee Public Schools administrator that she had planted a recording device in MPS Superintendent Keith Posley's office.

Carr told the Journal Sentinel that she did not plant a recording device but had made the false statement to the former administrator to determine whether she was trustworthy.