Cairngorms Public Appointment

Minister for Environment and Climate Change today announced the appointment of a new member to Cairngorms National Park Authority.

The new member is Professor Martin Price.

Professor Martin Price established the Centre for Mountain Studies at Perth College, University of the Highlands and Islands in 2000, and has since acted as its Director. He also holds the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Mountain Development. He has over three decades of experience of applied research in the mountains of Europe and North America and has advised many international organisations on issues related to sustainable mountain development. He has also undertaken numerous projects on mountain themes for the European Commission and the European Environment Agency. In Scotland, he has led research on sustainable upland estates, wild land, mountain forests, climate change and biosphere reserves. As Chair of the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership from 2004 to 2010 he worked with a wide range of communities and businesses to foster biodiversity throughout the Tayside area.

This appointment will be for four years and will run from October 24 2011 to October 23 2015.

This post is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £199.82 for a time commitment of a minimum of two days per month.

This Ministerial public appointment was made in accordance with the previous code of practice published by the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland

Professor Price does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

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. Professor Price has not undertaken any political activity within the last 5 years.

Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is a non-departmental public body (NDPB). CNPA was established in 2003 under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. CNPA is funded by the Government and Board members appointed by Ministers are a part of the full board in conjunction with directly elected and local authority nominated members.

The purpose of the National Park Authority is to deliver the four statutory aims for the National Park in a collective and co-ordinated way.