Chair appointed to NHS Highland Board

6th December 2019

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman, today announced the appointment of the new Chair of Highland NHS Board.

Professor Boyd Robertson, who has served as Interim Chair of the NHS Highland Board since February this year, will take up the post from 1st December 2019.

Professor Robertson has a wealth of experience in education and the public sector. His services to education were recognised by the award of an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Edinburgh in 2014 and his services to Gaelic by the Gaelic Ambassador accolade bestowed by the Scottish Government and An Comunn Gàidhealach in 2015. He was made a Fellow of the Association of Scottish Literary Studies in 2012.

Professor Robertson's appointment will be for four years and commence on the 1st December 2019 and end on the 30th November 2023.

This appointment is part-time and attracts an annual remuneration of £31,772 for a time commitment of three days per week. Professor Robertson does not hold any other public appointments.

This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

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. Professor Robertson has had no political activity within the last five years.

Prof. Boyd Robertson will retired as Principal of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the spring of 2018. Prof. Robertson was at the helm of Sabhal Mòr, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, since 2008.

NHS Highland faces a number of challenges - Allegations of a "bullying culture" were investigated by a QC-led independent review, and the health board had to deal with a projected deficit of £19.9m in 2018/19. Ongoing financial problems continue to be tackled.