Appointments to Scottish Agricultural Wages Board
The current Chair of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) has been re-appointed for the third time.
John Menzies, who was first appointed Chair in January 2005, will serve on the board up until June 2012 pending the outcome of a proposed review due to take place this year.
Independent member, John Wilson OBE, has also been reappointed for a period of 18 months beginning on April 1, 2011.
Both appointments will ensure that the Board remains at full strength for the annual wage negotiation round to take place during the first week of May.
John Menzies, a retired Managing Director, was appointed Chair of the SAWB on January 17, 2005, and reappointed for a further term from 17 January 2008. His new appointment is for a period of up to 18 months, starting from January 2011. Mr Menzies has extensive experience of business and wage negotiations within the Power Utilities and brings leadership, strategic vision and effective decision-making skills to the Board.
John Wilson OBE, a retired Civil Servant, was first appointed to the Board in April 2005 and reappointed for a further term in April 2008. His new term is for a period of up to 18 months, starting on April 01, 2011. John brings extensive experience of translating Government policy into operational practice and of "shop floor" issues. This will be of particular benefit to the Board when considering the workers’ representatives’ proposals for change to the terms and conditions of agricultural workers in Scotland.
Both appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £245.56 per day for the Chair and £157.63 per day for members. There is a time commitment of approx five days per annum.
The appointment of these Board members for a third term was made with the exceptional agreement of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland, in accordance with the provisions of the Commissioner’s Code of Practice.
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. Mr Menzies and Mr Wilson have no political activity to be declared.
The SAWB comprises 17 members: six representing the interests of employers, nominated by the NFU Scotland and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association; six representing the interests of workers, nominated by Unite the Union; and five independent members appointed by the Scottish Ministers, one of whom is designated Chair.
