Corporate Services Directorate

Providing guidance and expertise to the rest of the organisation to ensure its smooth running.

The Corporate Services Directorate is responsible for VisitScotland’s internal operations and handles the organisation's day-to-day functions.

The teams work with different departments to ensure good operational management, providing a working environment for our people with the tools and technology they need.

There are five departments which cover governance, facilities and resilience, procurement, finance, and legal matters.

Director of Corporate Services - Ken Neilson

Born and raised in Kilmarnock, Ken is a chartered accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). He has extensive experience as both a finance and general management director.

After graduating from Glasgow University, Ken joined KPMG. There, he completed his chartered accountancy training.

He worked in many roles in organisations which were undergoing big changes through integration or growth. These included British Aerospace, Life Technologies and Serologicals Ltd.

Ken joined VisitScotland in 2004. In addition to his current portfolio, he has previously led the following teams:

HR
Digital and Development
Business Planning
Improvement Teams
Information Technology

Director of Corporate Services, Ken Neilson

Corporate Governance and Performance

Led by Michelle Lavery, the team is responsible for governance within VisitScotland. This includes the creation and development of our:

risk management and assurance
internal audit
annual financial statements
Oracle and stakeholder CRM systems

The team also oversees portfolio management to support VisitScotland in delivering a complex series of related projects and liaison with the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board.

Facilities

Led by Steven Speedie, this team is responsible for:

estates strategy and planning
continued maintenance and compliance work programme
key performance indicator management
project management for capital development
organisational health and safety support
strategic planning for major risks and business continuity events
promoting sustainability strategy and social responsibility

Finance

Led by Anne-Marie Greer, the finance team is responsible for:

delivery of financial control and provision of accounting services
creation of the annual accounts and management of external auditors
provision of accounts payable and treasury management
maintenance of the relationship with Scottish Government in relation to Grant in Aid provided by them
annual budget setting process and monthly financial reporting
long term financial planning

Legal

Led by Gayle Biggart (Helen Castle on interim basis), this team works across the organisation and externally. It provides a wide spectrum of legal support which includes the following core services:

procurement
commercial
intellectual property
general governance matters
Freedom of Information and complaints handling

This team also provides data protection and records management support.

Procurement

Led by Billy Hislop, the procurement function supports internal teams to deliver the objectives of our Strategic Framework.

It does so through sustainable and efficient procurement of goods and services. The team helps enable collaborative working partnerships, whilst ensuring we meet our statutory obligations and deliver value for money.

Corporate Services Directorate

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Director of Corporate Services - Ken Neilson