The commissioner also monitors the appointment of members of specified public bodies in Scotland by the Scottish Ministers.

The role of the office is to regulate the process by which people are appointed to the boards of many of the public bodies operating in Scotland such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.

All vacancies are publicised and people who wish to be considered must submit an application and be assessed against the skills, knowledge and personal qualities required for the role.

[4][3] Stuart Allan became the commissioner for ethical standards in public life in July 2013.

Parliament approved the appointment of Ian Bruce to take up the full-time post of Commissioner for a fixed term of 6 years.

In that capacity he recruited, trained and managed the contracts of public appointments advisers, dedicated professionals with expertise in recruitment and selection and equality and diversity, who represent the independent Commissioner on selection panels to identify new board members.