A six month extension to Dr Harold Mills post as Chair of Caledonian MacBrayne Limited was announced today by Transport Minister Tavish Scott. 

 Mr Scott said:

  “Caledonian MacBrayne play a vital role in the delivery of lifeline ferry services to the island and remote mainland communities on the west coast of .  

 “While the current review of the need to tender CalMac services is on-going, I am pleased that Harold Mills has agreed to accept this short extension. 

  “As this review will determine the future course for the company, I believe it is important that it is completed before deciding on longer-term Board appointments.

  “I expect to report on the conclusions of the review when Parliament returns in the autumn.  In the meantime I am confident that Dr Mills’ strong leadership skills, and appreciation of the important social and economic role CalMac plays, will be of major benefit to the company during this unsettling period.”

Dr Mills has accepted this extension which runs through to 31 January 2006.  Depending on when the review of tendering is completed, and its conclusion, Dr Mills may be offered a further short extension to his appointment.

  Dr Mills, who is 67, lives in Edinburgh although he comes originally from Greenock where he was a Town Councillor.  He was a lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Glasgow prior to joining the Civil Service in 1970.  As a civil servant he held a wide variety of posts including Head of Devolution Division (1976-1979), secondment to the Privy Council Office (1981-1983), Principal Finance Officer and, from 1992-1998, Secretary of The Scottish Office Environment Department and The Scottish Office Development Department.  He retired from the Civil Service at the age of 60 in April 1998. The post of Chair is part-time (1½ days per week) and currently attracts a remuneration of £25,304, which is subject to annual review.

 Dr Mills other current appointments include the Chair of the Edinburgh World Heritage and the Chair of LandTrust.  He is also a Trustee of the Scottish Maritime Museum .  Dr Mills does not receive any remuneration for these appointments.

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is a company wholly owned by Scottish Ministers which provides the main ferry network on the west coast of .  The company operates lifeline ferry services in the Inner and Outer Hebrides and in the Firth of Clyde.  Dr Mills was first appointed Chairman in August 1999 and was reappointed in 2002.  This extension to his current appointment runs from 1 August 2005 to 31 January 2006.

 This ministerial appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.  This 6-month extension to Dr Mills’ second term in office was approved by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in .  

 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 (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.  Dr Mills has not declared any political activity.

 Contact: Alison Shields, Scottish Executive : 0131 244 2625 or Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne, 01475 650371, e-mail: hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk