Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 (2018 asp 4)

1 Gender representation objective

(1) The “gender representation objective” for a public board is that it has 50% of non-executive members who are women.

(2) Where a public board has an odd number of non-executive members, the percentage mentioned in subsection (1) applies as if the board had one fewer non-executive member.

2 Key definitions

In this Act—

“appointing person” means, in relation to the function of appointing a non-executive member of a public board, a person who has that function,

“excluded position”, in relation to a public authority, means a position mentioned in the second column of the table in schedule 1 which corresponds with the public authority mentioned in the first column,

“non-executive member”, in relation to a public authority, means a position on its public board—

(a) that is not an excluded position,

(b) that is not held by an employee of the authority,

“public authority” means an authority listed, or within a description listed, in the first column of the table in schedule 1,

“public board” means—

(a) if the public authority is a company, the directors,

(b) if the public authority has a statutory board or other equivalent statutory management body, that board or body,

(c) in relation to any other public authority, the membership of the authority,

...

[F1] Words in s. 2 repealed (2.8.2024) by Gender Representation on Public Boards (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 12), ss. 1, 2

3 Duty when appointing non-executive members

(1) Subsection (2) applies where there is—

(a) a vacancy in a position of non-executive member of a public board,

(b) more than one candidate for the position,

(c) at least one candidate who is a woman, and

(d) at least one candidate who is not a woman.

(2) The appointing person must, in making the appointment to fill the vacancy, act in accordance with section 4 with a view to achieving (or making progress towards achieving) the gender representation objective immediately after the appointment takes effect.

(3) When an appointing person is making more than one appointment—

(a) both or all of those appointments must be taken into account in identifying the number of non-executive members, and

(b) the appointing person must act with a view to achieving (or making progress towards achieving) the gender representation objective immediately after all of those appointments have taken effect.

4 Consideration of candidates

(1) The appointing person must determine whether any particular candidate is best qualified for the appointment.

(2) If no particular candidate is best qualified for the appointment, the appointing person must identify candidates it considers are equally qualified.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), the appointing person must give preference to a candidate identified under subsection (2) who is a woman if appointing that candidate will result in the board achieving (or making progress towards achieving) the gender representation objective.

(4) The appointing person—

(a) must consider whether the appointment of a candidate identified under subsection (2) who is not a woman is justified on the basis of a characteristic or situation particular to that candidate, and

(b) if so, may give preference to that candidate.

(5) In subsection (4), “characteristic” includes a protected characteristic (within the meaning of section 4 of the Equality Act 2010).

5 Encouragement of applications by women

(1) An appointing person for a public board must take such steps as it considers appropriate to encourage women to apply to become non-executive members of the public board.

(2) A public authority to which a public board relates must take such steps as it considers appropriate to encourage women to apply to become non-executive members of the public board.

(3) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in subsections (1) and (2) prevents an appointing person or a public authority from taking such steps as it considers appropriate to encourage persons with other protected characteristics (within the meaning of section 4 of the Equality Act 2010) to apply to become non-executive members of the public board.

6 Duty to take steps towards achieving objective

(1) This section applies whenever the gender representation objective is not achieved in relation to a public board.

(2) An appointing person for the public board must, in addition to anything done under sections 3 to 5, take such other steps as it considers appropriate with a view to achieving the gender representation objective by 31 December 2022.

(3) The public authority to which the public board relates must, in addition to anything done under section 5(2), take such other steps as it considers appropriate with a view to achieving the gender representation objective by 31 December 2022.

7 Guidance on operation of Act

(1) The Scottish Ministers must publish guidance on the operation of this Act.

(2) The guidance must in particular cover—

(a) an appointing person's functions in—

(i) appointing non-executive members under sections 3 and 4,

(ii) encouraging applications by women under section 5(1),

(iii) taking any steps under section 6(2),

(iv) reporting under section 8(4),

(b) a public authority's functions in—

(i) encouraging applications by women under section 5(2),

(ii) taking any steps under section 6(3),

(iii) reporting under section 8(5).

(3) An appointing person must have regard to the guidance in carrying out its functions under this Act.

(4) A public authority must have regard to the guidance in carrying out its functions under this Act.

8 Reports on operation of Act

(1) The Scottish Ministers must lay before the Scottish Parliament reports on the operation of this Act in accordance with provision made in regulations under subsection (6).

(2) Regulations under subsection (6) must ensure that reports under subsection (1) are laid before the Scottish Parliament at intervals of no more than two years.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must publish reports on the carrying out of their functions under sections 3 to 6 in accordance with provision made in regulations under subsection (6).

(4) An appointing person (other than the Scottish Ministers) specified in regulations under subsection (6) must publish reports on the carrying out of its functions under sections 3 to 6 in accordance with provision made in regulations under subsection (6).

(5) A public authority specified in regulations under subsection (6) must publish reports on the carrying out of its functions under sections 5 and 6 in accordance with provision made in regulations under subsection (6).

(6) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations—

(a) specify appointing persons for the purposes of subsection (4),

(b) specify public authorities for the purposes of subsection (5),

(c) make further provision about reports mentioned in subsections (1) to (5).

9 Power to modify schedule 1

The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify schedule 1 so as to add an entry, vary the description of an entry or remove an entry.

10 Application of Act to certain public authorities

Schedule 2 makes provision about the application of this Act in relation to certain public authorities.

11 Equality Act 2010

(1) Sections 158 and 159 of the Equality Act 2010 (positive action) do not apply to any action taken under this Act.

(2) Part 5 of the Equality Act 2010 (work) does not prohibit any action taken under this Act.

12 Regulations

(1) Regulations under sections 8 and 9 may—

(a) include incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision,

(b) make different provision for different purposes.

(2) Regulations under section 9 may modify this Act.

(3) Regulations under section 8 are subject to the negative procedure.

(4) Regulations under section 9 are subject to the affirmative procedure.

13 Commencement

(1) This section and section 14 come into force on the day after Royal Assent.

(2) The other provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations appoint.

(3) Regulations under this section may—

(a) include transitional, transitory or saving provision,

(b) make different provision for different purposes.

14 Short title

The short title of this Act is the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018.

SCHEDULE 1 PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

AuthorityExcluded positionAccounts Commission for ScotlandArchitecture and Design Scotland (company number SC267870)Board of Trustees for the National Galleries of ScotlandBoard of Trustees of the National Museums of ScotlandBoard of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden, EdinburghBòrd na GàidhligBoundaries ScotlandBritish Waterways BoardCairngorms National Park AuthorityMembers elected under article 5(2) of the Cairngorms National Park Designation, Transitional and Consequential Provisions (Scotland) Order 2003 (S.S.I. 2003/1)Members nominated under article 5(4) of that OrderCaledonian Maritime Assets Limited (company number SC001854)Children's Hearings ScotlandA college of further education other than a regional college (within the meanings given to those terms by the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992)All members other than those appointed under paragraph 3A(2)(a) and (f) of schedule 2 of that ActA regional college (within the meaning given by the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992)All members other than those appointed under paragraph 3(2)(a) and (f) of schedule 2 of that ActCommon Services Agency for the Scottish Health ServiceCommunity Justice ScotlandConsumer ScotlandCreative ScotlandCrofting CommissionMembers elected by virtue of paragraph 7 of schedule 1 of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010Crown Estate ScotlandDavid MacBrayne Limited (company number SC015304)Electoral Management Board for ScotlandEnvironmental Standards ScotlandFood Standards ScotlandA Health Board constituted under section 2(1)(a) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978Councillors appointed under paragraph 2(1)(b) of schedule 1 of that ActMembers of Health Boards mentioned in regulation 3 of the Health Boards (Membership and Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (S.S.I. 2001/302) who hold a post in a university with a medical or dental schoolMembers appointed only by virtue of being nominated for membershipHealthcare Improvement ScotlandThe member mentioned in paragraph 2(1)(b) of schedule 5A of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (the person appointed to chair Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland)A higher education institution (within the meaning given by the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016)All members other than those appointed by the governing body (which has the same meaning as in Part II of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992) (for this purpose a member is not appointed by the governing body if that member is appointed only by virtue of being the winning candidate in an election for membership or by virtue of being nominated for membership by another person)Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (company number SC097647)Highlands and Islands EnterpriseHistoric Environment ScotlandILF Scotland (company number SC500075)Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland. . .Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park AuthorityMembers elected under article 5(2) of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Designation, Transitional and Consequential Provisions (Scotland) Order 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/201)Members nominated under article 5(4) of that OrderMental Welfare Commission for ScotlandMobility and Access Committee for Scotland. . .National Library of ScotlandThe member mentioned in paragraph 2(2) of schedule 1 of the National Library of Scotland Act 2012 (the member who is selected from persons nominated by the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates)National Smart Ticketing Advisory BoardNewbattle Abbey College (company number SC262968)A director nominated by the University of Aberdeen, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow or the University of St. AndrewsA director who is also a member of the collegeQualifications ScotlandQuality Meat ScotlandRedress ScotlandRegional Board for Glasgow CollegesAll members other than those appointed under paragraph 3(2)(a) and (f) of schedule 2B of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005A regional Transport Partnership created under section 1(1) of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005Councillor members (mentioned in section 1(2)(b) of that Act)Members appointed only by virtue of being nominated for membership by a Health Board mentioned in section 6(1)(a)(ii) of that ActA member appointed only by virtue of being nominated for membership by Highlands and Islands EnterpriseA member appointed only by virtue of being nominated for membership by Scottish EnterpriseRevenue ScotlandRisk Management AuthoritySabhal Mòr Ostaig (company number SC361752)A director who is also a student of Sabhal Mòr OstaigScottish Advisory Committee on Distinction AwardsAll members other than the Chair, the Medical Director and the lay representativesScottish Agricultural Wages BoardPersons nominated or elected under paragraph 1(a) of schedule 1 of the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Act 1949 (persons representing employers and workers)Scottish Charity RegulatorScottish Children's Reporter AdministrationScottish Commission for Human RightsThe member appointed to chair the commission under paragraph 1(1)(a) of the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006Scottish Courts and Tribunals ServiceThe Lord PresidentThe Lord Justice ClerkThe President of the Scottish TribunalsScottish Criminal Cases Review CommissionScottish EnterpriseScottish Environment Protection AgencyScottish Fire and Rescue ServiceScottish Fiscal CommissionScottish Further and Higher Education Funding CouncilScottish Futures Trust Limited (company number SC348382)Scottish Housing RegulatorScottish Land CommissionScottish Legal Aid BoardScottish Legal Complaints CommissionScottish National Investment Bank p.l.c.Scottish Natural HeritageScottish Police Authority. . .Scottish Social Services CouncilThe member mentioned in regulation 2(3) of the Scottish Social Services Council (Appointments, Procedure and Access to the Register) Regulations 2001 (S.S.I. 2001/303) (the person who is the chair or a member of Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland)Scottish Sports CouncilScottish WaterSkills Development Scotland Co. Limited (company number SC202659)Social Care and Social Work Improvement ScotlandThe member mentioned in paragraph 2(1)(b) of schedule 11 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (the person appointed to chair Healthcare Improvement Scotland)The member mentioned in paragraph 2(1)(c) of that schedule (the person appointed as convener of the Scottish Social Services Council)South of Scotland EnterpriseA Special Health Board constituted under section 2(1)(b) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978Councillors appointed under paragraph 2(1)(b) of schedule 1 of that ActMembers appointed only by virtue of being nominated for membershipStandards Commission for ScotlandVisitScotlandWater Industry Commission for ScotlandWest Highland College UHI (company number SC153921)A director who is also a student of the collegeZero Waste Scotland (company number SC436030)

[F2] Words in sch. 1 inserted (14.5.2021) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), s. 35, sch. para. 10(a); S.S.I. 2021/124, reg. 2, sch.

[F3] Words in sch. 1 inserted (1.4.2022) by Consumer Scotland Act 2020 (asp 11), s. 29(2), sch. 2 para. 8; S.S.I. 2021/464, reg. 2

[F4] Words in sch. 1 substituted (1.4.2020) by Scottish Crown Estate Act 2019 (asp 1), s. 46(2), sch. 1 para. 8; S.S.I. 2020/77, reg. 2(1), sch. 1

[F5] Words in sch. 1 inserted (1.4.2026) by Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 (asp 4), ss. 70(3), 73(2); S.S.I. 2025/260, reg. 3, sch. Pt. 2

[F6] Words in sch. 1 inserted (1.10.2021) by UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 4), s. 51(2), sch. 1 para. 15(7) (with s. 48(2)); S.S.I. 2021/304, reg. 2(b)

[F7] Words in sch. 1 repealed (14.5.2021) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), s. 35, sch. para. 10(b); S.S.I. 2021/124, reg. 2, sch.

[F8] Words in sch. 1 repealed (28.6.2021) by Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 15), s. 109(2), sch. 2 para. 7(2); S.S.I. 2021/234, reg. 2, sch.

[F9] Words in sch. 1 inserted (26.5.2023) by The National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board (Gender Representation on Public Boards) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (S.S.I. 2023/156), regs. 1, 2

[F10] Words in sch. 1 inserted (1.12.2025) by Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (asp 11), s. 66(2), sch. 4 para. 8(2)(a); S.S.I. 2025/351, reg. 2, sch.

[F11] Words in sch. 1 inserted (28.6.2021) by Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 15), s. 109(2), sch. 1 para. 24; S.S.I. 2021/234, reg. 2, sch.

[F12] Words in sch. 1 inserted (16.9.2020) by Scottish National Investment Bank Act 2020 (asp 3), s. 35(2), sch. para. 5; S.S.I. 2020/272, reg. 2

[F13] Words in sch. 1 repealed (1.2.2026) by Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (asp 11), s. 66(2), sch. 4 para. 8(2)(b); S.S.I. 2026/2, reg. 2(2)(3), sch. Pt. 1

[F14] Words in sch. 1 inserted (16.10.2019) by South of Scotland Enterprise Act 2019 (asp 9), s. 24(2), sch. 2 para. 11; S.S.I. 2019/308, reg. 2

[F15] Words in sch. 1 inserted (1.4.2025) by Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 13), s. 27(2), sch. para. 7(2); S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)

SCHEDULE 2 APPLICATION OF ACT TO CERTAIN PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland

1 When the Lord President is making an appointment of a judicial member under paragraph 2(a) of schedule 1 of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008, the Lord President must act with a view to achieving the gender representation objective in relation to the judicial members only.

2 When the Scottish Ministers are making an appointment of a legal member or a lay member under paragraph 2(b) or (c) of that schedule, they must act with a view to achieving the gender representation objective in relation to the legal members and lay members only (taken together).

Regional Board for Glasgow Colleges

3 When the Scottish Ministers are making an appointment under paragraph 3(2)(a) of schedule 2B of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 (“schedule 2B”) they may, for the purpose of identifying the number of non-executive members, disregard a vacancy in a position mentioned in paragraph 3(2)(f) of schedule 2B.

4 When the board mentioned in paragraph 3(2)(f) of schedule 2B is making an appointment under that paragraph, the board may, for the purpose of identifying the number of non-executive members, disregard a vacancy in a position mentioned in paragraph 3(2)(a) of schedule 2B.

Regional colleges

5 When the Scottish Ministers are making an appointment under paragraph 3(2)(a) of schedule 2 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 (“schedule 2”) they may, for the purpose of identifying the number of non-executive members, disregard a vacancy in a position mentioned in paragraph 3(2)(f) of schedule 2.

6 When the board mentioned in paragraph 3(2)(f) of schedule 2 is making an appointment under that paragraph, the board may, for the purpose of identifying the number of non-executive members, disregard a vacancy in a position mentioned in paragraph 3(2)(a) of schedule 2.

Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission

7 For the purposes of the application of this Act in relation to appointments to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission—

(a) the Scottish Ministers, in making a recommendation under section 194A(4) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, are to be treated as the appointing person (instead of Her Majesty), and

(b) references in this Act to the making of an appointment are to be construed as references to the making of a recommendation under that section.