SLCC welcomes new Board Members this year and next

Four new members have been appointed to the SLCC Board. Gerrard (Ged) Bell joins on 1 April 2026 as a lay member. Denise Emslie and Inonge Siluka will also join as lay members on 31 January 2027, along with Shareen Gault who joins as a lawyer member.

SLCC Chair Jane Malcolm welcomed the appointments, “I’m delighted to welcome Ged to our Board today and we’re looking forward to Denise, Inonge and Shareen joining us at the start of next year.

“This is an exciting time for the SLCC as we launch our new four-year strategy focused on implementing the legislative changes agreed by parliament last year. Our Board will play a key role in supporting, challenging and championing the transformation programme that is now underway. And as commissioners, Board members also play a unique role in making specific decisions on individual complaints, meaning this a varied and important role.

“I would also like to thank Niki for her enormous contribution to the work of the SLCC over the past five years. As Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and Interim and Deputy Chair of the Board, she has played a key role in steering the organisation through a period of significant uncertainty. I wish her every success for the future.”

Member joining on 1 April 2026 

Ged Bell is a digital transformation professional with experience of operating at board-level. He has led digital programmes that have transformed services in the Scottish public sector. He is a past chair of the Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation. He is currently a board member of Dundee and Angus College, with board responsibilities include digital and cyber security. He is vice-chair of the Finance & Infrastructure Committee. He was engaged as a digital transformation lead with the Scottish Social Service Council and digital lead at the Registers of Scotland. He was also Head of IT in Dundee City Council. During this time, the city received awards and recognition for transformation programmes. Ged is a director of the Dundee United Supporters' Foundation. The Foundation are an independent, democratically governed organisation that has raised over £1M. They delivered a £0.5M academy project and support community and charity initiatives. 

Members joining on 31 January 2027 

Denise Emslie is a Chartered Accountant (ICAS) with 25 years’ experience across the education, public, media, property and recruitment sectors. Denise brings extensive expertise in governance, audit, risk management and the stewardship of public funds. Her career includes senior roles spanning finance, IT governance, procurement and organisational change, with significant experience supporting and reporting to boards. Denise has worked closely with auditors, regulators and funding bodies, providing independent challenge and sound judgement in complex, regulated environments. Denise has particular strengths in audit and risk assurance, regulatory compliance, and effective scrutiny. Denise is committed to integrity, transparency and fairness, with a strong focus on strengthening public confidence, consumer protection and access to justice.

Inonge Siluka is a Development Specialist at Macmillan Cancer Support, leading service improvement work to strengthen how support is delivered for people living with cancer. She has a background in frontline advice services, including welfare rights and generalist advice at Citizens Advice, supporting people to navigate complex systems, access financial support and challenge decisions. She is also the founder of a charity focused on safeguarding and access to justice, working across the UK and Zambia, where she has led strategy, partnerships and organisational development. Inonge serves as a board member with Board Racial Diversity UK, supporting work to increase the representation of Black and Asian people on charity and public sector boards. She brings experience in leading change and improving systems, contributing to board governance and organisational development, and working within advice services on complex and sensitive issues.

Shareen Gault is Global General Counsel at Insights Group where she leads the legal and risk function. With over 20 years' experience, she has held senior legal leadership roles across professional services, energy and financial services sectors with a mix of public and private sector experience. Shareen is dual-qualified in Scots and English law and has built high-performing legal teams and driven organisational transformation through pragmatic legal strategy and innovation. 

Read more about all our board members.