Audit Scotland welcomes its first Board apprentice

Dr Catherine Maclean has joined Audit Scotland’s Board as its first apprentice, under a national programme to train future public sector board members.

Catherine is a consultant in acute medicine at NHS Lanarkshire with over 20 years of experience in healthcare in Scotland. As well as directly treating patients, supporting staff and developing local services, she has worked in clinical governance and in implementing whistleblowing standards. She led the delivery of the first Scottish national conference on raising concerns and whistleblowing in the health service.

Catherine will join Audit Scotland’s Board for 12 months as part of Boardroom Apprentice, a UK-wide programme that places people who want to serve on public or third sector boards with organisations to learn and gain experience. The programme aims to help people from a wider diversity of backgrounds contribute to the UK’s boards.

Catherine said:

Through my professional life, working face-to-face with patients and other clinical staff, I have seen the impact crucial public services have on people’s lives and the importance of good governance and leadership in public bodies.

I’m excited to join Audit Scotland and to learn about how the board connects the work of public audit with the experiences of people across Scotland and how we make a difference.

Colin Crosby, chair of Audit Scotland’s Board, said:

We are delighted to welcome Catherine to our Board. In particular, we look forward to the valuable insights and perspective she will bring.

This is a great illustration of why programmes like Boardroom Apprentice are so important in bringing a wider range of backgrounds and experiences to the Boards of public bodies.

Catherine joins the Board on 28 January for a 12-month placement and will also participate in the Board’s Audit committee and Remuneration and human resources committee.