Susan Deacon

Susan Deacon has a breadth and depth of experience of working across the private, public and third sectors in leadership and governance roles.

She is currently a Non-Executive Director of Lothian Buses, Chair of the Edinburgh Festivals Forum, and a Trustee of the British Gas Energy Trust. Previous roles include, Chair of the Institute of Directors in Scotland, Non-Executive Director of ScottishPower and Chair of ScottishPower Renewables, and Chair of the Scottish Police Authority.

Susan has worked widely in building cross-sectoral collaborations and has served on advisory bodies with both the UK and Scottish Governments. She is a Professorial Fellow and senior adviser at the University of Edinburgh, where she was previously Assistant Principal External Relations.

A Member of the Scottish Parliament from 1999 to 2007, Susan served as Scotland’s first Cabinet Minister for Health and Community Care following devolution. She was awarded a CBE for services to business, education and public service in 2017.