George Walker has been appointed interim chair of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
Walker, who also chairs the Scottish Housing Regulator, will hold the position until April next year.
OSCR then intends to appoint a permanent successor to Lindsay Montgomery, who resigned in March afte two years in post. Montgomery’s predecessor, Reverend Dr Graham Forbes, completed two four-year terms as chair.
Walker will receive £250.50 a day plus up to £71.57 per meeting for preparatory work, for a time commitment of up to four days a month.
Walker, who was appointed by Shona Robison MSP, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, said he was “grateful and excited” to take up the role.
He added: “As someone who has been involved with a range of charities in the UK and overseas, I’m well aware of the need to ensure that charities are well regulated. Good and effective regulation can support this key sector and, importantly, help to deliver stronger outcomes for those we seek to support.”
The Scottish Government’s news release announcing Walker’s appointment described him as “an experienced chair, non-executive director and a former corporate executive”.
It added: “Over his corporate career he worked in the pharmaceutical industry and latterly in investment management for a large global firm. Walker has worked in the UK and extensively overseas, living and working overseas for many years prior to returning to Edinburgh.”
Walker also currently chairs Caledonia Social Care and has previously served as a non-executive director for NHS Lothian, chairing the finance and resources committee.
He also chaired the Integration Joint Board for health and social care in Edinburgh.
Walker, who hasn’t engaged in any political activity over the past five years, receives £216.44 a day for chairing the Scottish Housing Regulator for up to two days per week.