British Waterways

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson today announced the appointment of a new member to the British Waterways Board.

The new Board member is Dr Jon Hargreaves, recently retired from the post of Chief Executive of Scottish Water. Dr Hargreaves does not currently hold any other Ministerial public appointments.

This appointment will be for three years and will run from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2011. The time commitment for the Board is between two and four days a month to be agreed with the Chairman of the Board.

This post is part-time and attracts remuneration of £12,712 per annum, with an additional annual fee of £1,000 payable for service on the British Waterways Scotland Group, plus an additional £1,500 if selected as Chair of this Group. If appointed to serve on any of the other committees (Remuneration, Pensions, Fair Trading, Audit, Property) this would also attract additional fees at these rates.

British Waterways is a cross border public corporation which runs its affairs on a commercial basis consistent with its statutory powers and its objectives agreed by the Government. It promotes the use of its waterways for leisure, recreation, tourism, regeneration and transport while also conserving the waterways' natural and built heritage. Two members of the Board are appointed by Scottish Ministers. Dr Hargreaves replaces Campbell Christie who has served on the British Waterways Board for a almost ten years.

Members of the board are drawn from, but do not represent, a wide range of relevant interests. They are selected on the basis of their stature, background and breadth of experience which will enable them to make wide-ranging, direct and relevant contributions to the Management of British Waterways. They oversee all aspects of British Waterways' organisation and performance. Their role is to give strategic direction and to monitor the Board's execution of its duties. Day to day responsibility for British Waterways' activities lies with the executive staff who are responsible to the Board. The staff are headed by a Chief Executive, who is appointed by, but is not a member of the Board.

This Ministerial public appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments 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 (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Mr Hargreaves has not declared any political activity.