Sheila Cowan joined the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Board on 1 April 2021. Sheila semi-retired in 2018 after working for 25 years for global companies, at a senior financial professional level for the IT sector. Now, as a business consultant, she recently managed the integration and change management for an accountancy profession company merger. With this professional experience, as well as skills of collaboration, visionary, and leadership qualities, she worked on a voluntary business mentorship, along with gaining successful board experience for a national sports body as the Finance Director. This also encompassed management for programmes to evolve change within their business model. Educated to degree level plus an MBA, she has a passion to ‘make a difference’. Throughout her career, this value along with trust, and respect are the most important aspects for Sheila.
Sheila was appointed as Board Vice Chair in May 2023. She is a Chair of Performance Governance Committee and a member of Information Governance Committee (as vice chair) and a member of Integrated Governance Committee. She is Chair of Endowment Committee and is a NHS non-executive member of the East Ayrshire Integration Joint Board. Also from November 2022 Sheila took on the role of Non Executive Director for Skills Development Scotland.