22 January 2010
Minister for Culture Fiona Hyslop today announced that Karen Anderson had been appointed to become the new Chair of A+DS. Ms Anderson, who will take up the post on April 1st 2010, will be succeeding current A+DS Chair Raymond Young CBE.
Speaking shortly after the announcement Ms Hyslop said:
"With her impressive background in architecture and regeneration, Karen Anderson has the right skills to drive forward the work of A+DS. This appointment marks the first step in implementing the new simplified governance structure, as recommended in the recent review of the organisation. Karen will assume responsibility for the new body as it emerges as an Executive non-departmental public body in April."
Welcoming her appointment, A+DS chair Raymond Young said:
"I have worked directly with Karen in her capacity as an advisory board member of A+DS and I look forward to handing over to her this very professional organisation. She brings a real wealth of practical experience in both urban and rural Scotland to the role of Chair and I am sure that under her leadership A+DS will make an even more significant contribution to better place-making in Scotland."
Speaking this morning Karen Anderson said:
"I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Chair of A+DS and I am ready to help drive forward the Scottish Government's ambitions to deliver planning reform and support the creation of a better built environment in Scotland."
Poor development adversely affects our landscape, economy and communities, potentially forever. Well-designed new development and infrastructure can help make Scotland's towns and cities more attractive, economically vibrant and more sustainable for the future."
"The future of A+DS is built on the firm foundations of the excellent work that has been carried out by our teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow and I will ensure that going forward we build a higher public profile by focussing on our primary role; championing good design by working with policy-makers and developers whose decisions affect our environment."