The name David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) has long been revered in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. It's an opportune time to take an up-to-date look at what's going on in the present.
The firm was formed as long ago as 1851 and incorporated as David MacBrayne Ltd in 1928. In 1973, it merged with the Caledonian Steam Packet Company to form Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd, better known to everyone as CalMac. Since 2006, the company has been wholly owned by The Scottish Minsiters and operates as the holding company for ferry operator CalMac Ferries Ltd.
Just like CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL), the company has eight Directors. Indeed, we will discover that the Directors of both DML and CFL are one and the same!
The Non-Executive Chairman is David Campbell McGibbon. A qualified accountant, David is a former Board Member of Historic Scotland and is presently the Independent Chair of the Audit Committee of Historic Scotland. If David has any prior experience of West Coast ferry transport he has not mentioned it.
The Chief Executive (and an Executive Director) is Duncan Mackison. As we mentioned elsewhere (CalMac Ferries Ltd), Duncan has had senior spells at Serco, the (Duke of) Buccleuch Group and Gupta Family Group Alliance, currently being investgated by the Serious Fraud Office down south. He is also Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Glasgow Academy. By mentioning the current problems at GFG Alliance, we do not remotely impugn Duncan's integrity in any way.
Next in the pecking order is Executive Director Robert Lindsay Drummond. Robbie is the media face of the company - and that is not the easiest job in the world. With this current Scottish Government making fools of themselves all over the shop - or ship - we wonder for how much longer will Robbie put up with it?
Then we have Non-Executive Director, Michael Brendan Comerford. Michael trained as a Naval Architect and is also a Chartered Engineer. Frankly, we found Michael's company spiel far too long and far too boring to read so that's all we can tell you.
Timothy John Ingram, also, is a Non-Executive Director of DML and is currently a Non-Executive of the Western Isles Health Board. His experience appears to be in Health and Safety issues. We had not heard of him hitherto.
Non-Executive Director John Grant Macrae is a Member of ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland). His specialism is in Audit and Risk Management. Most unfortunately, John is a Board Member also of the Scottish Police Authority, a basket-case if ever there was one.
Non-Executive Director Albert Victor Tait OBE should know a thing or two about islands as he was, at one time, Chief Executive of Orkney Islands Council. Albert's expertise lies in Local Government Finance.
Lastly, we have Non-Executive Director Susan Margaret Browell. Susan is a HR Professional and 'has been a regular passenger of CalMac for over 30 years'.
So, there we have it, quangoteers all. If you doubt what we're saying, look up the Board profile at David MacBrayne Ltd.
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