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  • Nicole Paterson

Nicole Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

Described as an optimistic, energetic leader, dedicated to collaboration and modern public service delivery, Nicole Paterson has nearly three decades of experience in local government, consultancy, and environmental leadership roles. A multi award-winning leader, before joining SEPA, she was the Head of Environmental Assets at North Lanarkshire Council, Scotland’s fourth-largest local authority. In that role, she led initiatives focused on climate change adaptation, biodiversity, flood risk management, transport policy, and green spaces. She has also worked in local government roles across Stirling, West Lothian, East Dunbartonshire, and Argyll & Bute councils.

Nicole is a Chartered Civil Engineer and a graduate of the University of Strathclyde. A Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Highways & Transportation and the Royal Society of Arts. She has also contributed to environmental initiatives such as Climate Ready Clyde, Glasgow City Region Transport Portfolio, the 7 Lochs Wetland Park and the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative.

Register of interest

  • Date of completion: 1 April 2025
  • Board member: Nicole Paterson
  • Signature: Signed by Nicole Paterson on 1 April 2025

Remuneration

Employment or self-employment (include registered name of the company, nature of the company, nature of business and nature of post held):

  • None

Holding an office (include office held, name of organisation, nature, and regularity of business):

  • None

As a director of an undertaking (include the registered name of the undertaking in which the directorship is held and the nature of the applicable business):

  • None

As a partner in a firm (include registered name of the company and nature of business):

  • None

Undertaking a trade, profession or vocation or any other work:

  • Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
  • Chartered Engineer registered with the Engineering Council.
  • Fellow of the Institution of Highways and Transportation.
  • Fellow of the Society of the Arts (FRSA).

Any allowance received through memberships of an organisation

All payments such as honoraria and including a statement of whether expenses are paid or not:

  • None

Related undertakings

A description of a directorship that is not remunerated but is of a company which is a parent or subsidiary of a company or undertaking which pays remuneration (include name of subsidiary or parent company or other undertaking and the nature of its business):

  • None

Contracts

A description of any contract (including its duration but excluding the consideration) which is made between the public body of which you are a member and a firm in which you are a partner, or an undertaking in which you are a director or in which you have shares:

  • None

Houses, land, and buildings

A description of any rights of ownership or other interests that may be significant to, of relevance to , or bear upon, the work or operation of the devolved public body:

  • None

Shares and securities

A description, but not value, of shares or securities in a company, undertaking or organisation that may be significant to, of relevance to, or bear upon, the work or operation of the devolved public body (including the registered name of the company in which you hold shares):

  • None

Gifts and hospitality

Details of any gifts and hospitality received within your current term of appointment of office:

  • None

Non-financial interests

A description of such interests as may be significant to, of relevance to, or bear upon, the work or operation of the devolved public body, including without prejudice to that generality membership of an office in:

  • Other public bodies: None
  • Clubs, societies, and organisations: None
  • Trade unions: None
  • Voluntary organisations: None

Close family members

A description of the interests of any close family member who has transactions with the devolved public body or is likely to have transactions or do business with it:

  • Husband CEO of Scottish Canals - post commencing on 22 May 2023 - appropriate arrangements made internally within public body to avoid any potential or perceived conflicts of interest.