Motion joins drive to raise the standard of democratic debate
Elaine Motion, one of Scotland’s leading constitutional lawyers, has joined a new body designed to raise the standard of democratic debate in the United Kingdom.
The Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research (ICDR) was created by a group of legal experts, academics, business leaders and campaigners, who have a “shared concern at the state of our democratic constitution”.
Mrs Motion, chairman of Balfour+manson, who was involved in some of the UK’S most high-profile constitutional cases – including the ‘Brexit cases’ on Article 50 and Boris Johnson’s prorogation of parliament – said she was “delighted and honoured” to be part of the ICDR.
She added: “Constitutional debate in the UK has become very polarised – and our constitution and democracy is far too important to be reduced to partisan point-scoring.”
• Steven Henderson is to be the new Chief Executive of Wheatley Group, Scotland’s leading housing, care and property-management organisation.
Mr Henderson, currently the Group Director of Finance, will take over from Martin Armstrong, who announced last year he had decided to step down after more than 11 years at the helm, plus two and a half years as CEO of Glasgow Housing Association (now Wheatley Homes Glasgow). Wheatley Group Chair Jo Armstrong said Steven was “the outstanding candidate” and someone who would “consolidate and build on the Group’s position as a national force for good”. • Chiene + Tait has announced the appointment of Grant Mackay, a leading VAT specialist with more than 25 years’ experience, to its Inverness team.
With experience across in a number of core sectors including agriculture, landed estates, charities, public sector and owner managed businesses, Grant joins from ‘Big Four’ firm EY where he spent over two decades advising clients throughout the Highlands and Islands, Scotland, and other parts of the UK. Earlier in his career he served as a VAT Inspector for HM Customs & Excise
Grant returns to frontline accountancy practice after a completing a recent sabbatical where he worked with leading environmental charity Changeworks.