OSCR, the independent Scottish charity regulator has appointed the Very Reverend Dr Graham Forbes as the second chairman to its board.

The four-year, part-time appointment was announced today by the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, and sees OSCR's first chairman John Naylor depart after five years at the helm.

Dr Forbes is provost of St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh and combines his ecclesiastical duties with various public roles in health and criminal justice. He holds a number of ministerial appointments as chair of the UK Committee on Ethical Aspects of Pandemic Influenza and the Mental Welfare Commission and as a member of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and the Security Vetting Appeals Board.

In his new role at OSCR Dr Forbes will work a minimum of 2.5 days per month from 1 March 2011 until 28 February 2015 earning £270 per day.   

The regulator's chief executive Jane Ryder said: "John has successfully steered OSCR from its early days, to consider and establish crucial strategic policies and direction.

"I very much look forward to working with Graham as John’s successor at a key phase to implement new processes and initiatives in the regulation of Scotland’s charities."