Design Scotland Board Appointments Made

Fiona Hyslop, the Minister for Culture and External Affairs, has announced the appointment of nine Members to the Board of Architecture and Design Scotland.

The members appointed are:

Mr Sandy Beattie - an architect and Masterplanning and Design Team Leader with Aberdeen City Council. Mr Beattie has a detailed working knowledge of the planning system and has led the development of design policies and strategies within a local authority environment.

Mr Andrew Burrell - an architect and Chairman and Managing Director of The Burrell Company in Edinburgh. Mr Burrell has a strong track record in acting as a bridge between the design and development sectors of the construction industry.

Mr David Chisholm - an architect and former Managing Director of his own architectural practice, John Thompson and Partners in London, he now resides in Fife. Mr Chisholm has a wide range of experience in different sectors and will be able to contribute well to the strategic and policy direction of A+DS, from his experience of community regeneration.


Mr Martin Crookston - a Planner and Economist and is a former Managing Director of a large architectural and planning practice, Llewellyn and Davies Planning in London. Mr Crookston has strong background in policy and strategy development, particularly in urban regeneration and place-making.

Dr Branka Dimitrijevic - a qualified Architect and Director of the Centre for the Built Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University, Dr Dimitrijevic has significant experience in creating and implementing PR and marketing activities.

Mr Jonathan Hughes - Director of Communications and Policy at the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Mr Hughes has a detailed professional knowledge of environmental and ecological issues and how they can affect the built environment. He has also worked on PR strategies and in change management.

Mr Martin McKay - an architect and Senior Development Manager at Clyde Gateway, with experience in economic development. Mr McKay has a strong built environment background with relevant experience of policy development and the commissioning of projects.

Mr Graham Ross - an architect, urban designer and Director of Austin Smith Lord, an architectural practice based in Glasgow. Mr Ross has a broad professional background which will aid in setting the strategic direction of the body.

Mr Alan Sim - a planner and former Head of Planning at East Dunbartonshire Council. Mr Sim has a good working knowledge of policy development and the implications of the new planning system in Scotland.

None of the appointees hold other Ministerial appointments.

These appointments will be for four years and will run from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2014. These posts are part-time and are remunerated at £165 per day. There is a time commitment of up to two days a month for Board Members.

(GK/BMcC)