The Board
The role of the Chairperson is distinct and separate, with a clear division of responsibility.
The Chair leads the Board and ensures the effective engagement and contribution of all Non-Executive and Executive Directors. Executive Directors have responsibility for all operating companies' business and act in accordance with the authority delegated from the Board. Responsibility for the implementation of policy, strategy and operational management is delegated to Executive management.
A minimum of four Board meetings are held each year. The Board is supplied with comprehensive information in advance of each meeting, including financial and operational reports covering the Group's business activities. Meetings are supplemented by workshops/development sessions as appropriate throughout the year.
The Board Structure
Duncan Mackison - CEO
Duncan Mackison is CEO for CalMac Ferries Limited. Duncan has more than 25 years' experience in senior executive roles at MD and CEO level, responsible for the delivery of complex outsourced service contracts to government and local government customers in a variety of sectors including transport, defence, property and technology. He has significant experience in leading service transformation and change, working for companies such as G4S, Serco, Buccleuch Group, David MacBrayne and Biffa, with responsibility for annual contract income values up to £400m and staff numbers up to 5,000. His early career was as an officer in the Royal Marines.
Erik Østergaard - Non Executive Chairman
Erik Østergaard OBE is CEO of a transport and logistics organisation. He has more than 35 years of experience in senior management positions in the shipping, ferry and transportation industry. Originally trained in shipping, he later studied international economics and management at IMD in Lausanne, Stanford Graduate School of Business, California, and Boot School of Business, University of Chicago from where he earned a degree as Master of Business Administration. He has held and holds office as a Non-Executive Board Member or Chairman of several companies in the shipping and transportation industry, numerous government committees and boards of trade associations.
David Beaton - Non-Executive Director
David Beaton was born and raised in Sutherland and has lived in the Isle of Skye for the last 35 years apart from a short spell in Chicago, United States as Managing Director for Stagecoach-owned companies. He will bring direct knowledge and a lived experience of the key issues effecting rural and island communities. Mr Beaton has a wealth of public transport skills and experience. He has been involved in the public transport sector since 1988, with 25 years of that directly involved in managing public transport in the Highlands and Islands. He is also Chair of the local Royal National Lifeboat Institution fundraising committee.
Tim Ingram - Non-Executive Director
Tim Ingram brings health and safety, risk management and governance skills and a range of energy industry, marine and port operations experience. He Chairs David MacBrayne's HSEQ Committee and is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee. He was Non-Executive Director and Vice-Chair of Western Isles NHS Board, Principal Inspector at the Health and Safety Executive and held director roles at Maersk Oil, Wood Group, Dana Petroleum and Port of Tyne. He now runs a specialist corporate safety consultancy.
Grant Macrae - Non-Executive Director
Grant Macrae is a member of ICAS and CIPFA, with extensive experience of audit, risk management and governance. He has led external audit of bodies across the public sector. He has participated in the development of international accounting standards. He was a Board Member of several bodies where he chaired finance or audit and risk committees. He was also an independent member of the audit and risk committee of two large organisations. He is currently a Scottish Police Authority Board Member.
Kay Ryan - Non-Executive Director
Kay Ryan has held several senior commercial roles, latterly as Special Advisor to the Board of Loganair, the UK's largest regional airline where she had previously held the position of Chief Commercial Officer. Kay has led complex marketing, commercial and communication change projects and is a specialist in revenue and yield management. She has led contract negotiations with both national government and local councils, involving significant contribution to vital transport links within the UK.