DATGANIAD I’R WASG

PRESS RELEASE

Respected expert in Welsh public life appointed to National Assembly’s independent Remuneration Board.

Professor Laura McAllister has been appointed to the National Assembly for Wales’s independent Remuneration Board.

She has agreed to join the board on a one-year contract as the board works towards publishing its determination for the Fifth Assembly.

Prof McAllister said: “I’m delighted to accept this short term appointment to join the Remuneration Board. The Board has a challenging and interesting work programme of work for the coming year and I look forward to playing my part in that. Providing the right levels of remuneration and support for Assembly Members are crucial to ensure that the Assembly operates as effectively as possible.”

Laura McAllister is Professor of Governance at the University of Liverpool's School of Management and Chair of Sport Wales.

“Laura McAllister is a well-respected figure in Welsh public life,” said Remuneration Board Chair, Sandy Blair.

“She is one of the country’s most respected academic experts on devolution, public policy and Welsh politics. She was also a member of the Richard Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements for National Assembly for Wales that reported in March 2004.

“Laura has great credentials for this role - deep knowledge and understanding of politics and politicians, internationally recognised expertise and proven judgement at the highest levels of public life.”

A vacancy became available on the board following the decision by the then Chair, Sir George Reid, to step down in September last year due to ill health.

Mr Blair took over as interim Chair and has now agreed to continue in that role to guide the board to the completion of its work for the next Assembly – the Board intends to publish its final decisions in the Spring of 2015.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1) Laura McAllister biography:

Laura McAllister is Professor of Governance at the University of Liverpool's School of Management. She was educated at Bryntirion Comprehensive School, Bridgend and is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Cardiff University where she completed a PhD in politics.

Laura was a member of the Richard Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements for National Assembly for Wales that reported in March 2004 and provided research advice to the Independent Panel on AMs' Pay and Support in 2008-09. She is Honorary Visiting Professor at Cardiff University, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia and the China National School of Administration, Beijing.

A former Wales football international and national team captain with 24 caps, Laura is currently Chair of Sport Wales. Laura is a Board Member of UK Sport and the Welsh Football Trust.

As well as a member of the Wales Advisory Committee of the British Council. Laura holds honorary degrees from the Universities of Bangor and Glamorgan and an Honorary Fellowship from Cardiff University.

2) For more details about the independent Remuneration Board click here.

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