Management Board Appointments
26 July 2012
The non-executive directors are Gregor Henderson, an adviser to the UK Government on public health and wellbeing and Mary Allison, head of strategic planning at sportscotland, the national agency for sport.
Henderson currently advises the UK Cabinet Office on wellbeing and is a policy adviser to a range of UK and international agencies on mental health and wellbeing. Previously, for five years, he was director of the Scottish Government’s National Programme for Improving Mental Health & Wellbeing.
Edinburgh based Henderson, a former international fencer for Scotland, said: “Recently I have been working with the Cabinet Office on national wellbeing and looking at how our physical and mental health contributes positively to how we feel and behave and how we choose to live our lives. Through participation in sport and healthy activities, I firmly believe young people acquire knowledge and insights that stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.
“This belief reflects the vision of Winning Scotland Foundation, encouraging the nation’s most precious natural resource - young people - to develop their talent and to learn skills for life.”
Mary Allison brings over 25 years’ expertise in Scottish sport, health and education to the board. A former director of NHS Health Scotland, her wide-ranging roles in public sector policy, sport and health include UK representative of the EU Sport Participation Group and adviser to WHO and the EU in health related policy matters. Among her professional achievements, Allison cultivated the ground for the adoption of the target minimum of two periods of PE in Scottish schools.
Allison commented: “The Foundation’s management board includes individuals with a very impressive track record in business and sport. At a very exciting time for sport in this country, I look forward to drawing on my own knowledge and understanding of public sector policy and health to make an effective contribution to the board.”
Alistair Gray, executive chairman of Winning Scotland Foundation, added: “Mary and Gregor share our vision to get more young people active and engaged in sport by 2020. Their range of skills add value to the Foundation’s board and will help us to drive cultural change and influence the education and health agenda in Scotland.
“While we believe sport is a tool for life, there needs to be a step change in how sport and physical activity are used in the development and education of Scotland’s youth. There are too many social challenges preventing young people from being winners in life.”
The Foundation’s management board includes Simon Thomson, chief executive, Cairn Energy PLC; Mark Little, managing director Scotland & Northern Ireland for Wealth Management at Barclays; Celia Tennant, head of funds, Inspiring Scotland. For a full list, see www.winningscotlandfoundation.org