Morag Ferguson

The Standards Commission is responsible for ensuring councillors and board members of devolved public bodies meet the high standards of behaviour that the public is entitled to expect.

A solicitor for more than 30 years, Ms Ferguson has worked mostly in the public sector in both the NHS Central Legal Office and a number of local authorities.

Latterly, she was head of corporate support at East Lothian Council, with responsibility for governance, people services, HR and corporate communications.

Over her career, Ms Ferguson has gained extensive experience of local government governance and of working with elected members, holding the statutory role of monitoring officer at both Fife Council and East Lothian Council.

She has also developed and delivered training on governance and the Councillors’ Code of Conduct and was a member of the SOLAR Monitoring Officers Networking Group.

The Standards Commission comprises a convener and four commission members who are appointed by the parliamentary corporation, with approval from the Scottish Parliament.

Members work for the Standards Commission on a part-time basis (three days per month for the convener and two days for other members).