Public appointments
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, today (26 August) has announced the reappointment of Barbara Smith, Professor Cara Aitchison, and Lindsey Paterson as members of the Board of VisitScotland.
Article published 26/08/2026
Member | Barbara Smith
Barbara Smith is one of Scotland’s most experienced leaders in the tourism and hospitality sector, having held senior leadership and Board positions in the private, public, and not for profit sectors, including: Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh Castle, Chester Zoo, and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. She was Managing Director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street and a portfolio of distillery visitor experiences across Scotland. Barbara is currently a Board Member of MacGregor’s Hospitality and a member of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group.
Member | Lindsey Paterson
Lindsey is a qualified chartered accountant. She spent the majority of her career working for or with the public sector, providing risk and assurance services to public bodies across Scotland and the wider UK. She retired in 2022 from PwC where she had been a partner. During her time at PwC, she led the organisation’s place and purpose agenda, with responsibilities in relation to inclusion, communities and wellbeing. She is on the Board of Glasgow Clyde College and is also Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited).
Member | Professor Cara Aitchison
Professor Cara Aitchison is a former university principal (2013-2024) and academic who brings executive and non-executive leadership experience spanning higher education, tourism research, and economic development. She is Chair of the Scottish Funding Council, an expert in international, UK and devolved nation higher education policy, finance, regulation and governance, and has a track record of delivering organisational transformation. She was previously Head of Moray House School of Education at the University of Edinburgh (2010-2013) where she is now an Honorary Professor in Education, Geography and Cultural Economy. Professor Aitchison has published widely in tourism, environment and place-based economic development and was Chair of the UK-wide Research Excellence Framework Panel for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism (2010-2015). She was previously a member of the CBI Wales Council, Cardiff Capital Region Economic Growth Board, Plymouth Culture, and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Further information
Reappointments
Barbara and Cara’s reappointments will be for three years and will run from 1 December 2026 until 30 November 2029. Lindsey’s reappointment will be for three years and will run from 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2029.
The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.
Remuneration and time commitment
The reappointments are part-time and attracts a remuneration of £356.00 per day for a time commitment of 24 days per year.
Other Ministerial appointments
Cara is Chair of the Scottish Funding Council, for which she receives £501.09 per day for a time commitment of 104 days per year. She is also a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which is non-remunerated, and has a time commitment of 10 days per year.
Barbara and Lindsey do not hold any other ministerial 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.
Barbara, Cara and Lindsey have had no political activity within the last five years.
Read the Scottish Government press release