Caledonian Maritime Assets

20 Oct 2009 11:51 AM

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson today announced the re-appointment of the Chair, Grenville Johnston to the Board of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. This new three year appointment is effective from November 1, 2009, is part-time and currently attracts a daily fee rate of £337 (for a minimum time commitment of four days per month which are currently under review).

Grenville Johnston lives near Elgin in Moray. He is a Chartered Accountant and was Senior Partner of Johnston Carmichael until he retired from the firm in 2005. He served on the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) from 2001 to 2008. In January 2009 he was appointed Interim Chair of HIAL and will serve until 31 March 2010. This post is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £21,880 for a minimum time commitment of six days per month. He is Chair of Cairngorm Mountain Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). This post is part-time and attracts a daily rate of £400 for a time commitment of four days per month. He is HM Lord-Lieutenant of Moray.

In addition, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson today announced the re-appointment of two members, Erik Østergaard and Kenneth MacLeod to the Board of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. These new three-year appointments are effective from November 1, 2009, part-time and attract currently a daily fee rate of £297 (for a minimum time commitment of two days per month which are currently under review)

Erik Østergaard lives in Helsingør, Denmark. He is Chief Executive Officer of Danish Transport and Logistics Organisation. Originally trained in shipping, he has spent most of his career in senior management positions within the shipping, ferry and transportation industry. Erik Østergaard has no other public appointments.

Kenneth MacLeod lives in Gourock. A Master Mariner, he is presently Chief Executive of Northern Marine Management, Stena's international Ship Management Company. He served as a Commissioner for nine years on the Northern Lighthouse Board until retiring in 2008. Kenneth MacLeod has no other public appointments.

Announcing the re-appointments, Stewart Stevenson said:

"I am delighted to announce the re-appointment of Grenville Johnston, as Chairman of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL). His first term as Chairman has been very successful and I wish him every continued success. In addition, I have also re-appointed Erik Østergaard and Kenneth MacLeod as members of the CMAL Board, their experience and skills have assisted in CMAL's success. The Scottish Government is committed to improving essential ferry services to Scotland's remote and island communities. These re-appointments to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will help the Scottish Government deliver on that commitment."

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) is a company wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers. CMAL owns 31 ferries (with one under construction) and 22 ports and harbours that assist in delivery of the lifeline ferry services on the West Coast of Scotland. Additionally, CMAL leases property at a further 24 locations. These assets are made available to the Operator, currently CalMac Ferries Limited, who then delivers the services under a six year public service contract with the Scottish Government.

These Ministerial public re-appointments were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice. All re-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 (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Messrs Johnston, MacLeod and Østergaard have advised that they have no political activity to declare.