Press release

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee Chair appointed

Maureen McGinn has been appointed as the new Chair of Big Lottery Fund’s Scotland Committee and UK Board Member.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

CAB 232-11 

Maureen McGinn has been appointed as the new Chair of Big Lottery Fund’s Scotland Committee and UK Board Member, Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office announced today.

The Big Lottery Fund will invest approximately £327.5million in Scotland’s communities between 2010 and 2015, that’s over £1million a week. It is the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding in the UK. Since June 2004, the Big Lottery Fund has awarded over £4.4billion to projects supporting health, education, environment and charitable purposes across the UK. As Chair of the Big Lottery Fund’s Scotland Committee, Maureen McGinn will set the strategic direction for funding programmes in Scotland.

Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said:

I am pleased to welcome Maureen McGinn as the Chair of the Big Lottery Fund’s Scotland Committee and UK Board Member. Her extensive experience will enable her to provide strong leadership in this important role. I’ve no doubt that Maureen will help deliver real benefits to people in Scotland.

Scottish Government Minister, John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, said:

I’m delighted that Maureen McGinn has accepted this important position. She will bring a great deal of experience to the role, given her knowledge of and involvement in, the Big Lottery Fund and Scotland Committee so far. I look forward to working with her in the future.

Maureen McGinn, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee and UK Board Member said:

I have greatly enjoyed being a member of the Scotland Committee over the past four years. It is an honour to be asked to lead such a committed team in working with staff, partners and funded organisations to make a difference to communities across Scotland. I also welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues from across the UK as a member of Big Lottery Fund’s UK Board.

Maureen McGinn has been a member of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee since March 2007. She is currently an advisor on social justice to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and a member of the steering group of the Partnership Drugs Initiative of Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland. 

Her past grant making experience also includes running the Laidlaw Youth Trust which promoted partnership working between charities supporting children and vulnerable young people in Scotland. Her earlier career included periods working for a charity, a trade union and in central and local government. Born and brought up in Perth, she attended Perth Academy and is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. Maureen lives in Edinburgh and is married to Sir John Elvidge and so, on occasions, is also known as Maureen, Lady Elvidge.

Notes to Editors

  1. These appointments have been made in accordance with The Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies. 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 appointee’s political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Ms McGinn has declared no political activity.
  2. The Scotland Committee Chair appointment is for a four-year term, beginning on the 1st December 2011. The time commitment is expected to be an average of 8 days per month; the Chair’s remuneration is £24,000 per annum. Ms McGinn replaces Alison Magee whose term of office will expire on 30 November 2011 after serving as Scotland Chair for five years.
  3. Further information about the Fund’s programmes and its strategic framework for 2009-2015 can be found at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Published 23 November 2011