Angela Leitch CBE has been appointed as the new Chair to lead the independent review of Creative Scotland, as announced by Culture Secretary Angus Robertson on April 4, 2025. This appointment comes after Dame Sue Bruce withdrew from the role in March due to health reasons.
The review, first announced in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, marks the first comprehensive evaluation of Creative Scotland since its establishment in 2010. With Stuart Currie serving as Vice Chair, the review team brings a wealth of experience in local government and the public sector to this crucial task.
Angela Leitch’s extensive background in public service makes her an ideal candidate for this role. With over 30 years of experience in local government, including leadership positions in various councils and as Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland during the Covid-19 pandemic, Leitch brings a unique blend of administrative expertise and crisis management skills to the review process.
The review comes at a critical time for Scotland’s cultural sector. As Leitch noted, “The context cultural organisations and artists are now operating in has changed considerably since Creative Scotland was established in 2010”. This review aims to ensure that Creative Scotland’s remit and functions remain relevant and effective in supporting the arts and culture in Scotland.
In a letter to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture Committee, Mr Robertson said Ms Leitch would be supported in the role by Stuart Currie as Vice Chair. The Culture Secretary also confirmed that the timeframe to publish recommendations would be extended until November, to allow the new Review team sufficient time to gather and consider evidence from the sector.
Mr Robertson said, “I am delighted to report that Angela Leitch CBE has agreed to lead the independent review, supported by Stuart Currie as Vice Chair. Both Angela and Stuart bring a wealth of local government and public sector experience.”
Accepting the new role, Ms Leitch said, “Culture and the arts provide us with a sense of belonging, preserving our history and traditions, and promoting an understanding of different perspectives. It’s well recognised that the sector and the people who work within it contribute significantly to Scotland’s society, our communities, and the economy.
“It’s also recognised that the context cultural organisations and artists are now operating in has changed considerably since Creative Scotland was established in 2010. I welcome the opportunity to work with colleagues in Creative Scotland and across the sector to review its remit and functions with a view to ensuring it continues to be relevant today.”
The 2025-26 Scottish Budget has allocated a record £34 million uplift for culture, including an additional £20 million for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme. This significant increase in funding underscores the importance of the review in maximizing the impact of these resources.
The review process has already garnered substantial interest from the sector, with over 750 responses received from individuals and organizations across Scotland in a recent survey. This feedback will be instrumental in shaping the review’s recommendations.
To ensure a thorough and evidence-led review, the timeline for publishing recommendations has been extended to November 2025. The key objectives of the review include:
- Evaluating Creative Scotland’s functions and remit
- Assessing the organization’s delivery methods and governance
- Maximizing the impact of funding distribution to the cultural sector
Angela Leitch has more than thirty years’ experience in local government, having worked in West Lothian and the City of Edinburgh councils before becoming Chief Executive firstly in Clackmannanshire Council and then East Lothian Council. In 2019 Angela was appointed as the Chief Executive of the newly formed Public Health Scotland, which amongst other responsibilities, played a crucial role in producing data, evidence and advice throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. She stepped down from this role in April 2023.
Angela was Convenor of the Board of the Scottish Local Authority Remuneration Committee which presented its report on changes to the payments to elected members, in December 2023, to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and Scottish Government Ministers.
She is a member of the Accounts Committee and the Scottish Police Authority. She is also Chair of YouthLink Scotland and is a Trustee of the homelessness prevention charity Cyrenians.
Angela Leitch emphasized the significance of culture and the arts in Scottish society, stating, “Culture and the arts provide us with a sense of belonging, preserving our history and traditions, and promoting an understanding of different perspectives”.
The outcomes of this review will likely shape the future of cultural funding and support in Scotland for years to come. With the combined expertise of Leitch and Currie, along with input from the sector itself, the review promises to deliver a comprehensive assessment of Creative Scotland’s role in nurturing and promoting Scottish culture.
As the review progresses, the arts community and cultural organizations across Scotland will be watching closely, hoping for recommendations that will strengthen and sustain the vibrant creative ecosystem that has long been a hallmark of Scottish identity and pride.
