The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, recently announced the appointment of Jan Savage, Linda Higginson and Simon Whyte as Members of the Board of Independent Living Fund Scotland.
Jan Savage is the Executive Director of the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC), where she leads the organisation’s work as the public body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights across Scotland. She brings extensive senior leadership experience spanning human rights, equality, and public policy, with a strong focus on accountability and lived experience.
Linda Higginson worked as a Bureau Manager in Citizens Advice Bureau for 27 years. She was a Lay Committee Member in the Northern Ireland Social Care Council for 6 years working to improve standards in social care. Linda continued to serve the community after her retirement from full time work completing 6 years as a school governor. She served on the Independent Press Standard Organisation's Readers Advisory Panel for 4 years. She is currently a Samaritan and a Lay Member on Queens University Belfast's Ethics Committee
Simon Whyte brings over 20 years’ experience in education, including 12 years in senior leadership roles within the Additional Support Needs Sector. He is a passionate advocate for disabled young people, championing inclusion, equality and meaningful participation in education and community life. His work is grounded in promoting inclusion, aspiration and equity, ensuring young people are supported to achieve positive outcomes beyond education.
Anne‑Marie Monaghan, Chair of the Board, warmly welcomes our new board members.
“It has been a pleasure to appoint such talented individuals who bring a rich variety of skills and experience. Their contributions will strengthen ILF Scotland’s work as we continue to champion independent living. The combined expertise of our existing and newly appointed board members ensures ILF Scotland remains well governed and well equipped for the future.”
The appointments will be for 4 years and will run from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030.
The new board members will join existing members in providing oversight, direction, governance and guidance to ILF Scotland and its staff to ensure the vision of independent living to be a reality for all disabled people living in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
