Members' biographies

Members of PVS are appointed by Scottish Ministers in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice. The Members are appointed for a term of three years.

Charles Anderson was appointed to PVS in April 2007. Charlie is a member of the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SESTRAN) and has a lifetime interest in public transport. He is a former local authority Chief Executive and upon retiral established a transport-related consultancy which focuses on quality.

Hugh Flinn was appointed to PVS in August 2008. Hugh worked as a housing officer in Camden and then in various strategic policy posts in Hackney, where he was responsible for drawing up the Council's first Performance Plan. In 1999, he returned to Scotland and was appointed Clerk Team Leader in the Scottish Parliament, where he headed up the Chamber Desk, dealing with all parliamentary questions and motions until his retirement in March 2008.

Ann Henderson was appointed to PVS in April 2007. Ann has worked in the Scottish Parliament and served on the Rail Passenger Committee ( Scotland) prior to its dissolution in 2005. She currently works full time as Assistant Secretary with the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC). In September 2008, Ann was appointed to the Woman's National Commission ( Scotland Commissioner) for 3 years. Under the UK Government’s review of NDPBs, this body was closed in December 2010.

Irene Kitson was appointed to PVS in April 2007. Irene is a non executive Board Director of Lothian Buses plc. She is a member of the Parole Board for Scotland and also a member of the Employment Tribunal.

John Murray was appointed to PVS in April 2007. John has spent his working life in school teaching, latterly as Head Teacher of Lochgilphead High School. He is currently secretary of an Comunn Gàidhealach (Argyll Region) and chair of Mod Dhail Riàta.

Colin Reid was appointed to PVS in April 2007. Colin is Professor of Environmental Law at Dundee University. He is a member of the Executive of the Society of Legal Scholars and founding Convener of its Environmental Law Section. Colin serves on several editorial boards, notably Scottish Planning and Environmental Law.

Jane Steven was appointed to PVS in April 2007. Although now retired, Jane is a qualified nurse and social worker, with a long history of working on rural community access and transport issues. Jane is also a member of the Mobility and Access Committee Scotland and a Director of Carers of East Lothian.

Bill Ure was appointed to PVS in April 2007. Bill is a member of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, and the Scottish representative of the Rail Freight Group. He is a member of the Scottish Transport Studies Group and of the Policy Committee of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and was previously a Director of the Rail Passenger Committee Scotland and Secretary of the CalMac Users' Committee.