In the last ten years I have much enjoyed being involved in public appointments in a variety of roles involving museums, airports, ferries, harbours and piers and the funicular railway. It has been rewarding work.
Grenville Johnston
Chair, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd
2009 - Date
Who are you:
I was born in Nairn but moved to Elgin, Moray almost immediately. Moray has therefore been my home base all my life. I was sent to school in Huntly and Edinburgh and I then spent five years qualifying as a chartered accountant with a firm in Edinburgh. I have remained in a professional accountancy practice throughout my career. I joined the family firm of W D Johnston & Carmichael in 1972 and retired as Senior Partner in 2000 when I became a consultant, finally leaving the firm in 2005.
Living, as I do, some three and half hours from the central belt of Scotland I wondered whether I would be able to become involved in public sector appointments. But when I was asked if I might be interested in joining the Board of The National Museums of Scotland as a Trustee I decided to do so.
I am now firmly convinced that as long as one is prepared to accept the travelling arrangements there is nothing to stop anyone in Scotland applying for and becoming a board member of any Scottish Government organisation.
I have also had a Territorial Army career reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. I have had an extensive background in the work of many charities in the Moray area as well as national charities. I have also held National Office as President of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
Why did you want to become a board member?:
Firstly, I was asked if I would take an interest in NMS and having done so I thoroughly enjoyed it. I got to know many new and interesting people, many of them based in the central belt. I became more interested in how the Scottish Executive/Government worked and found it rewarding. When the opportunity to become a Board member of HIAL arose I decided to apply and thoroughly enjoyed that period of time as a Director.
What do you bring to the role?:
Considerable professional experience, considerable knowledge of auditing, accounting and taxation, considerable knowledge of pensions but I also believe that extensive knowledge of running business, working with clients, dealing with people and expecting high standards of ethics are all important to me.
What do you get out of it?:
Much pleasure, satisfaction in trying to achieve the aims of the Scottish Government in the various organisations I have been involved in. Pleasure in occasionally bringing success, reward and happiness to a great many people I knew nothing about. Most particularly getting to know and meeting many civil servants who work full lime for the Government, sometimes in quite trying circumstances. It has been a revelation to me to watch this and be part of it.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of applying?:
You should understand that this is not private enterprise you are working for. You are assisting the Scottish Government in carrying out its policies. You have to understand sometimes the requirements and instructions may not be what you either expect or wished and yet once you have agreed to undertake the work then you must do it. Finally whatever they say the commitment will be you should expect to double it!