The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure has announced the reappointment of Norman Quirk to the David MacBrayne Ltd Board.

This reappointment will be for 3 years and will run from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013. This post is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £314 per day for a time commitment of 2/3 days per month.

Norman Quirk lives on the island of Mull, and is a Chartered Accountant. He is the former Managing Director of Saga Radio in Scotland, and previously held senior positions in several other radio broadcasting organisations in Scotland.

He is also immediate past Chairman of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, former President of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Glasgow Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. He is a Director of Mull Theatre and the former Executive Director and Vice Chair of Scottish Ballet. Norman Quirk holds no other public appointments. In addition to finance and business, Norman has marketing, media and public relations skills.


During his first 3 years, Norman has been an active member of the Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee and has chaired the new Communication Committee, reflecting his particular professional background and expertise.

Announcing the reappointment, Keith Brown said:

"I am delighted to announce the reappointment of Norman Quirk to the David MacBrayne Ltd Board. His first term as a member has been very successful and I wish him every continued success. The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining Scotland's lifeline ferry services and the Board plays an important role in ensuring that David MacBrayne Ltd and its operating subsidiaries deliver on that commitment."

David MacBrayne Ltd is wholly owned by Scottish Ministers and is the group holding for CalMac Ferries Ltd and two other ferry operating subsidiaries, NorthLink Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd.

CalMac Ferries Ltd currently provides the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services through the new public service contract which started on October 1, 2007. NorthLink provides the Northern Isles ferry services through a contract which started on July 6, 2006. Cowal Ferries Ltd operates the Gourock-Dunoon service.

This Ministerial public reappointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland’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 5 years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Norman Quirk has undertaken no political activity in the past five years.

(GK)