Current Members of the Commission
Our Chair is the Speaker of the House of Commons, although the Speaker takes no part in our proceedings. Our work is led by the Deputy Chair who is a Court of Session judge appointed by the Lord President of the Court of Session. The two other members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland through a public appointments process. In addition, the Director General of Ordnance Survey and the Registrar General for Scotland help us as ex-officio Assessors. We are supported in our work by a small Secretariat.
Deputy Chair
The Right Honourable Lord Matthews (Hugh Matthews). Appointed from 1 January 2016 for a period of 3 years, reappointed until 31 December 2021, and reappointed until 31 December 2024.
Lord Matthews was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Courts in 2007, having served as a Temporary Judge since February 2004. After graduating LL.B (Hons) from the University of Glasgow, Lord Matthews undertook a legal apprenticeship with Messrs Jas Campbell and Co WS of Saltcoats. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in July 1979, taking silk in 1992 and practised at the Bar until his appointment as a sheriff of Glasgow and Strathkelvin in January 1997. He was standing Junior Counsel to the Department of Employment in Scotland from June 1984 until March 1988, and served as an Advocate Depute from April 1988 until January 1993. Lord Matthews sat as a temporary sheriff from January 1993 until December 1996.
Commissioners
Sue Walker - Appointed from 1 January 2021 for a period of 4 years.
Sue Walker has a degree in Geography and a PhD in computer mapping. She has worked in the rural and environment sector for over 30 years. She was for a time Professor of Geography and Environment at the University of Aberdeen. Over the last 15 years she has held a number of Board positions with public bodies in Scotland.
Gillian McGregor - Appointed from 1 October 2024 for a period of 4 years.
Gillian McGregor is a former senior civil servant and has over 35 years of experience working in Government with a particular focus on immigration and counter-terrorism. Her previous roles include Home Office Director for Immigration in Scotland and Northern Ireland and Director of Operational Intelligence. Gillian was Director of the Scotland Office from 2017-2020.