Scotland has a new Public Guardian and Accountant of Court with the appointment of Fiona Brown to succeed Sandra McDonald who is taking early retirement.
Fiona Brown has been Deputy Public Guardian and Accountant of Court (AoC) since 2015 having moved to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) after a career in the court service which she joined straight from school. She takes over as Public Guardian and Accountant of Court from 1 August 2018.
Sandra McDonald has been Public Guardian and Accountant of Court for 14 years, having taken up the post, as only the second Public Guardian for Scotland, in August 2004 following a career in nursing, public sector management and the law.
She has been at the helm of the Office of the Public Guardian during a period of huge growth which has seen the use of Powers of Attorney and Guardianship rise by more than 400 percent. Scotland was the first country in the world to create a Public Guardian office and the model has been followed by many countries during the period of Sandra’s tenure.
She said: “On 31 July, exactly 14 years after I started, I complete what has been the most challenging but, by a country mile, the most satisfying role of my career. I have been privileged to work with the most dedicated and committed team at the OPG and AoC whose enthusiasm and loyalty has never wavered. As Fiona takes over, I can only hope the role is as fulfilling for her as it has been for me.”
Fiona Brown said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to take on the role of Public Guardian and Accountant of Court. It is an exciting time for OPG and Accountant of Court with so many challenges ahead. I am really looking forward to leading the OPG and AoC through this change programme.”
Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive Eric McQueen said: “Sandra’s contribution as Public Guardian over the past 14 years has been truly immense. Not only has Sandra made sure that Scotland leads the way in supporting adults with incapacity but she has shared her approach internationally, helping other countries develop their own public guardianship services. Sandra’s desire to do the right thing is only matched by her enthusiasm to stimulate others to create the climate for change.
“Always thinking ahead, Sandra has nurtured her deputy Fiona Brown who now steps into the role as Scotland’s new Public Guardian and Accountant of Court. I am delighted to welcome Fiona to this new role and know that she will lead OPG and AoC through an exciting period of change, making her own mark as Public Guardian.”