Board and Committees
Role of the Board
The four main functions of the Board are: to ensure that the body delivers its functions in accordance with Ministers’ policies and priorities; to provide strategic leadership; to ensure financial stewardship; and to hold the Chief Executive and senior management team to account.
In line with good governance, certain responsibilities are delegated to Board Committees to assist the Board in carrying out its functions.
Learn more about our Board and Committees below
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
The purpose of the Audit and Risk Committee is to ensure that:
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Internal and external audit arrangements are planned and a well-defined programme of work is in place setting out these arrangements
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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
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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
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Margaret McCaig (Chair)
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Sheila Cowan
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Poonam Malik
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David Rankin
2024/25 Schedule of Meetings
- 20 June 2024
- 19 September 2024
- 12 December 2024
- 13 March 2025
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
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David Hillier (Chair)
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Sheila Cowan
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Carol Evans
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David Rankin
2024/25 Schedule of Meetings
- 21 May 2024
- 13 August 2024
- 12 November 2024
- 11 February 2025
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
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Beth Corcoran (Chair)
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Mark Dames
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Victoria Erasmus
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Nazim Hamid
2024/25 Schedule of Meetings
- 13 June 2024
- 10 October 2024
- 6 February 2025
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
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Christine Pollock (Chair)
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Tracy Black
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Graham Hutcheon
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Paul Taylor
2024/25 Schedule of Meetings
- 25 April 2024
- 25 July 2024
- 31 October 2024
- 23 January 2025
About SDS
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national skills body supporting the people and businesses of Scotland to develop and apply their skills.
Our leadership team
Find out about the SDS Board and our executive leadership group.
Our policies
Details of our policies, including equality and diversity, privacy and access to information.