Consumer Scotland, the statutory body for consumers in Scotland, has appointed its Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Douglas White joins Consumer Scotland from the wellbeing policy foundation Carnegie UK, where he was a Director.
As part of his new role, he will engage with organisations across the public and private sector to ensure consumer interests are embedded in policy decisions which affect them.
Independent from government and accountable to the Scottish Parliament, Consumer Scotland is a new statutory body, which was established in April this year.
An essential part of Consumer Scotland’s role is to use data and analysis to publish expert reports on key issues facing consumers and make recommendations on how to address them.
Douglas said:
"I am excited to be joining Consumer Scotland at a time when consumers are facing considerable pressures.
“The importance of a new consumer body being established to advocate and advise on behalf of consumers could not be more timely.
“I am looking forward to working with the team at Consumer Scotland and with key partner organisations to achieve positive change for consumers.”
Sam Ghibaldan, Chief Executive of Consumer Scotland, said:
“Douglas has an important leadership role as we build Consumer Scotland.
“His wealth of experience will be key as we develop our evidence-led approach to ensuring consumers are at the heart of shaping markets and services.”
Background
Douglas White joins Consumer Scotland from wellbeing policy foundation Carnegie UK. In more than a decade at Carnegie he led the organisation’s public policy work across a number of areas including its Digital Futures and Fulfilling Work programmes.
He recently completed a term as a Member of the Poverty and Inequality Commission for Scotland and previously held roles at Consumer Focus Scotland and at the research consultancy Blake Stevenson.
Consumer Scotland was set up under the Consumer Scotland Act 2020. It is independent from government and accountable to the Scottish Parliament.