Governance

SAMS is governed by an independent non-executive Board that meets five times a year. Ultimate legal responsibility for SAMS' operations rests with the Board. The Board appoints the Director and delegates the running of SAMS to the Director and the executive team.

The Board is supported by a range of sub-committees:

Research, Enterprise & Innovation Commission (chair: Dr Douglas Wallace)
Education Committee (chair: Professor Richard Waites)
Communications, Engagement and Development Committee (chair: Laura Dance)
Finance Committe (chair: Eric Hollanders)
Audit Committee (chair: Dr Ian Jardine) - which monitors the integrity of financial reporting, internal controls and risk management systems, whistleblowing and internal audit and liaises with the external auditors

Governing documents

SAMS Articles of Association (last updated 2023)

Memorandum of Association

Non-executive trustees

Chair / Trustee

Professor Stuart Monro (2025-2028)

Trustees / Board members

Keir Ashton (2024–2027)

Gillian Brunton (2025-2028)

Adam Christie (2023-2026)

Jessica Craven (2025-2028)

Laura Dance (2024–2027)

Eric Hollanders (2022-2025, 2025-2028)

Dr Ian Jardine (2023-2026)

Dr Louise Ledgard (2024–2027)

Helen Mitcheson (2025-2028) representing the Ocean

Professor Colin Moffat (2021-2024, 2024-2027)

Hugh Raven (2024-2027)

Dr Douglas Wallace (2023-2026)

Professor Richard Waites (2021-2024, 2024-2027)

Alun Williams (2023-2026)

Non-trustee board members

Dr Joseph Maguire (joined 2024)

Observers

Jennifer Jamieson-Ball (UKRI-NERC), Morag Goodfellow (HIE), UHI representative, HISA representative, Dr Kim Last & Euan Paterson (staff representatives)