19 March 2004
Audit Scotland has appointed its first managing director of audit services, a post created as a result of an internal review of the organisation.
Hugh Hall, director of corporate services with VisitScotland, Scotland's national tourism organisation, will take up the post on May 10, Audit Scotland announced this week. He was appointed following an open selection process.
The new post, advertised at £95,000 a year, was created with the remit of driving forward the modernisation of the audit service and the delivery of the Best Value audit.
Hall will be responsible for the management of across-the-board services in Audit Scotland, which is largely responsible for the audit of more than 200 public bodies.
Auditor general Bob Black said the role of managing director would be a crucial one. An announcement is expected to be made soon on the separate controller of audit post, vacant since the departure of Ronnie Hinds, who left to be head of corporate finance with the City of Edinburgh Council.
Hall, who has held senior positions in a number of public sector organisations, including Scottish Homes and the Scottish Office Education Department, will head Audit Scotland's Audit Services group, with 160 staff.
Hall said that he believed he was in a good position to help steer Audit Services through what would be a challenging but exciting time. He was looking forward to meeting staff and finding out 'how we can most successfully deliver change together'.
Hall is a qualified accountant with experience in auditing. He has extensive experience in the management and delivery of organisational change.
PFmar2004
