The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead has announced the appointment of two new members to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

Patricia Henton and Frank Kirwan will begin the four year appointments on November 1, 2010.

Patricia Henton is an earth scientist by background and until recently was a corporate director of The Environment Agency. She brings strong leadership and communication skills to the board having previously held a number of relevant posts. These include the Council of the RSPB, President of the Institution of Water and Environmental Management, Chief Executive and board member of Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Director of Our Dynamic Earth.

Mrs Henton holds a public appointment with the Coal Authority with offers remuneration of £11,666 per annum. She is also a Board member with the British Geological Survey Board which offers remuneration is £3,430 pa

Frank Kirwan is currently chairman of KAL, an international software company, and chair of the Finance & Audit committee of the International Institute for Environment and Development. He has previously been a non-Executive Director of Standard Life Assurance and an Executive Director with the Royal Bank of Scotland and has held the position of Treasurer of two international charities, Oxfam and Actionaid International. He has taught in several universities, most recently on the MBA programme at the University of Edinburgh’s Business School. He will bring to the RBGE Board strong financial management skills as well as a wide knowledge of strategy development, budget setting processes, and risk management.

The posts are part-time and attract no remuneration. The total time commitment is approximately 16 days per year.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a Non-Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 and is mainly funded by the Scottish Government. Its mission is “to explore and explain the world of plants” and its primary functions are: science, horticulture, education and information and visitor services.

This Ministerial public appointment 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. Mrs Henton and Mr Kirwan have declared no political activity.

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