Professor Alan Alexander

The public body said Professor Alexander, a non-executive member of Audit Scotland since 2018, will provide continuity to the organisation through the period of change in its membership.

Prof Alexander was confirmed as the new chair following an interview by the Scottish Commission for Public Audit (SCPA) on 21 November 2019.

The SCPA will shortly start a recruitment exercise for two new non-executive members for Audit Scotland. One member will start on 1 April and the other on 1 October 2020.

The appointment comes at a time of significant change to the membership of Audit Scotland.

In 2020, the current chair Ian Leitch will demit office on 31 March. The auditor-general for Scotland, Caroline Gardner completes her eight-year term of office on 30 June 2020, and Heather Logan, non-executive member, finishes her position on 30 September 2020.

A separate recruitment exercise for a new auditor general for Scotland is to be undertaken by the Scottish Parliament in 2020.

Professor Alexander was appointed by the SCPA as a non-executive member of Audit Scotland on 4 October 2018 for an initial term of 3 years and is eligible for reappointment for a further three years.

He holds one other public appointment. He is the chair of the University of St Andrews Management School Advisory Council.

Professor Alexander has substantial non-executive experience having held a large number of public appointments including being a member of the Accounts Commission; a Trustee of the David Hume Institute, and chair of Waterwise and the Outward Bound Scottish Council.