The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Ms Somerville MSP today announced the appointment of Ellie Craig as a member of the Scottish Charity Regulator. 

Member

Ellie Craig is a passionate campaigner for children’s rights and youth participation in decision making processes. Ellie is currently the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. As chair, Ellie leads the organisation and the board of trustees and ensures SYP’s youth led mandate is at the forefront of everything SYP does. Ellie is also a board member of the National Lottery Community Fund, championing youth voice within the governance of the organisation. Ellie was also previously a trustee of Young Scot, Scotland’s National Youth Information and Citizenship Charity. Understanding barriers faced by young people and other marginalised groups has been at the forefront of Ellie's work and her expertise in creating accessible, inclusive and meaningful participation spaces along with extensive knowledge of charity governance is something she’ll bring with her to the work of OSCR.

Appointment

This appointment will be for 4 years and will run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £5,387.04 per year for a time commitment of 2 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Ellie Craig does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity 

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 five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Ellie Craig has had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background

The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is a Non-Ministerial Office and part of the Scottish Administration following commencement of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. 

They are the independent regulator and registrar for around 25,000 charities registered in Scotland including community groups, religious charities, schools, universities, grant-giving charities and major care providers. Based in Dundee they have around 40 members of staff. Their work as Regulator ultimately supports public confidence in charities and their work.
OSCR's general functions are set out in the 2005 Act: 

• to determine whether bodies are charities 
• to keep a public register of charities 
• to encourage, facilitate and monitor compliance by charities with the provisions of this Act 
• to identify and investigate apparent misconduct in the administration of charities and to take remedial or protective action in relation to such misconduct 
• to give information or advice, or to make proposals, to the Scottish Ministers on matters relating to OSCR's functions