The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP, has announced the appointment of Anne-Marie Monaghan as Chair and Alison Nicolson and Stephanie Hayle as new Board Directors of Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland.
The new Chair of the ILF Scotland Board Anne-Marie Monaghan has worked in a variety of roles across social work and social care for 43 years. She has worked in senior management positions in the local authority, and has more recently undertaken consultancy and advisory roles for Social Security Scotland and the Scottish Association for Social Work.
Anne-Marie also sits as a non-executive member on the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board, as well as being their disability champion.
She said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to the Chair of the Board of ILF Scotland, especially at this exciting time when the fund is reopening. Dynamic leadership in coming months will be crucial as we listen to disabled people about how to use this new investment to support their full citizenship.
“I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new Board Directors, Alison Nicolson and Stephanie Hayle. I look forward to continuing the work of the Board, alongside ILF Scotland staff, engaging with all our stakeholders and working in partnership with the government as we seek to improve opportunities for disabled people.”
Anne-Marie takes over the role from Susan Douglas-Scott CBE, who served as Chair of the ILF Scotland Board since it was established in 2015.
The appointment of two new Board Directors follows the appointment of Anne-Marie Monaghan to Chair, and also the departure of Alan Dickson, previously a Board Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, whose term of office has ended.
New Board Director Alison Nicolson is a senior leader and qualified accountant with experience in strategic and functional leadership. Alison qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and went on to hold a variety of leadership roles within Lloyds Banking Group.
Alison led her own business, manufacturing and selling extra protective iPad covers for those with additional needs, and has held office positions at various disability charities.
Alison said: “ILF Scotland is a superb organisation supporting people with disabilities to contribute to their local communities and live life how they want to.
“As mum to two young people with complex disabilities, the purpose of ILF Scotland resonates with me personally and I’m over the moon to be joining the Board.”
Stephanie Hayle joins the ILF Scotland Board with a background in accessibility and working with young people. She is currently a Trustee at the Migraine Trust and was previously a Director and Trustee at the University of York Student’s Union and on the advisory committee for Student Minds.
Stephanie has been a UK delegate to the World Universities Network and worked closely with local and national government bodies on improving support for both young and disabled people.
The appointments of the new Chair and Board of Director appointments are for four years, from 16 October 2023 until 15 October 2027.
They join the existing ILF Scotland Board, which comprises Liz Humphreys (who is Vice-Chair), Mark Adderley (Chair of Remuneration Committee), Étienne d’Aboville and Elizabeth McAtear.
Peter Scott OBE, Chief Executive Officer of ILF Scotland, said: “First of all, I would like to express my sincere thanks to our outgoing Directors, Susan Douglas-Scott, Chair of the Board, and Alan Dickson, Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, whose terms of office have now come to an end. Susan and Alan have made significant contributions to ILF Scotland over the last eight years, and all of us thank them sincerely for their service and wish them every future success.
“We also send our congratulations to our new Chair, Anne-Marie Monaghan. Anne-Marie has been an ILF Scotland Director for the past four years, so we know the invaluable personal and professional expertise she brings to the role. We are all very much looking forward to the next chapter in the short history of ILF Scotland under Anne-Marie’s leadership.
“Finally, a very warm welcome from us all to our two new Directors, Stephanie Hayle and Alison Nicolson. I know that Stephanie and Alison will bring fresh thinking, ideas and perspectives to the Board, and to the whole organisation. We all look forward to working with them as we implement the recently announced re-opening of the Independent Living Fund to new applicants.”
You'll find board papers, annual reports and other key documents in our publications section.
Anne-Marie Monaghan has worked in a variety of jobs and in consultancy across social work and social care for 43 years. She has substantial experience and skills in both operational and strategic roles and worked in senior management positions in the local authority. She has also worked as a freelance consultant across the third sector and more recently was engaged by Social Security Scotland as a subject matter expert in social care; and with the Scottish Association for Social Work as an independent advisor on the National Care Service developments.
Anne-Marie is an effective leader and, drawing on her own experience as a disabled woman, is a strong advocate for self-directed support having been instrumental in its development since leading one of the Scottish Government’s original test sites. For the last 4 years she has been a Board Member of ILF and sits as a non-executive member on the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board, as well as being their disability champion.
Alison Nicolson is a Senior Leader and qualified accountant with experience in strategic and functional leadership and a strong focus on delivery within the financial services sector. Alison qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and went on to hold a variety of leadership roles within Corporate and Commercial Banking and Workplace Pensions for Lloyds Banking Group.
She is a strong believer in the transformative power of individuals and their collective potential; and is passionate about making a difference through volunteering, particularly supporting people with disabilities. Alison led her own business, manufacturing and selling extra protective iPad covers for those with additional needs; and has held office positions at various disability charities including Chair of Finance committee for adult service provider.
Stephanie Hayle joins the ILF with a background in accessibility and working with young people. She is currently a Trustee at the Migraine Trust and was previously a Director and Trustee at the University of York Student’s Union and on the advisory committee for Student Minds, where she specialised in student physical and mental health. Stephanie has been a UK delegate to the World Universities Network and worked closely with local and national government bodies on improving support for both young and disabled people, running campaigns addressing housing, transport, and financial insecurity.
She has also worked in fundraising for small charities addressing lesser-known medical conditions and is currently undertaking her further Masters degree at the University of Edinburgh Law School after previously studying at York.
