Lady Rae, first board chair of the SCSSA, selected the appointees following a recruitment process which was open to anyone with interest, experience and expertise.

They are:

• Clare Burns, solicitor; former reporter to the Children’s Panel
• Marie Connell, former detective inspector, Police Scotland
• Greg Gallagher, former senior manager, head of service and director of children’s services in the third sector and in local government social work services
• Pauline McDonald, head of health, safety & compliance, ENABLE Scotland
• Patrick O’Meara, former strategic commander, Scottish Ambulance Service; chief medical support officer to the UK Army Cadets.

The SCSSA will operate entirely independently of the Catholic Church, with its own staff and non-executive directors to ensure that dioceses and religious communities are meeting safeguarding standards.

Lady Rae said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of individuals who will become my valued colleagues in shaping the work of the new Safeguarding Standards Agency. I look forward to having the benefit of their expertise and advice as we commence the task of establishing this agency which will have the role of assuring safeguarding compliance in the Catholic Church in Scotland.

“These directors will shortly assist me to appoint a director of safeguarding and a Head of Training who will work with others to ensure compliance with the highest standards of safeguarding.”

She added: “Throughout the recruitment process, I have been greatly impressed by the calibre of those who came forward to offer their services. It was not easy to settle on a final choice from the excellent candidates who applied.”