SOM Scottish Group Chairperson Election
As part of our commitment to transparent leadership, it is now time to cast your vote for the position of Chairperson.
Each member is entitled to one vote. To ensure the integrity and fairness of the election, the voting process is restricted to members only.
How to Vote:
Please log in first and review the supporting statements from the respective candidates before making your selection. Select the candidate you wish to vote for and press submit.
Deadline: The ballot will remain open until 5 pm Monday 9th March. Votes submitted after this time will not be counted.
The results will be verified and announced at a later date via email
Thank you for your participation in shaping the future of our committee.
Best regards,
Eric Liu
Current Chairperson
Scottish Regional Group for SOM
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Alice Rutter – Supporting Statement I am an occupational medicine physician in active clinical practice and would be honoured to be considered for Chairperson of the Scottish Group of SOM. I have long valued the Scottish Group as a practical, collegial professional home and would aim to steward it thoughtfully through the next phase of its development. I bring a mixed clinical–academic background, and long-standing experience of leadership and committee work through national professional bodies. Through my role with the Scottish Occupational Health Advisory Group (SOHAG), alongside ongoing clinical practice, I am closely engaged with the issues currently shaping our specialty in Scotland. I have designed and delivered Occupational Medicine training for clinical and non-clinical audiences across multidisciplinary teams and have worked collaboratively with the Faculty of Occupational Medicine to help strengthen training pathways. In November 2025, I was appointed as the SOM Scottish Group Early Career Experience Coordinator, acting as a first point of contact for clinicians exploring careers occupational medicine. Previously, while undertaking this role informally I developed a flexible introductory programme, which has successfully supported three doctors to date. Now, I am developing central resources, collating, and analysing feedback to strengthen our engagement strategy. My career in the UK and overseas has given me a broad professional network across and beyond occupational health. I would use to my experience and network to support high-quality education and constructive external engagement. My leadership style is calm, inclusive, and listening-led. I see the Chair role as one of service, continuity, and good governance—supporting the committee, valuing all professional voices, and ensuring the Scottish Group remains credible, welcoming, and relevant.
Dr Alice Rutter Occupational Health Physician ST5 Specialty Trainee in Occupational Medicine NHS Lanarkshire Salus Occupational Health
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Simon Walker – Supporting Statement I am putting myself forward for Chair because I care about where occupational health is heading in Scotland, and I believe the Scottish SOM has a real opportunity to be more visible, more connected, and more confident in its voice. Over the last 12 months, I have enjoyed serving as Secretary of the Scottish branch. That has involved the practical side of supporting to keep things running, including meetings, communication, coordination, and member support. It has given me a clear understanding of how the branch operates and where we have genuine opportunities to build momentum. Alongside this, I am an Occupational Health Researcher and Suicidologist, currently working as Senior Research Lead within the Healthy Working Lives Group under Professor Ewan Macdonald CBE at the University of Glasgow. My work focuses on workplace mental health, suicide prevention, and workforce retention, all central to modern occupational health practice. A significant part of my role involves building local and international networks, working across research, policy, and frontline services. I would like to bring that connectivity and energy into the Scottish branch. If elected Chair, I would focus on:
My research and current role would not be possible without the support and collaboration of clinicians, occupational health specialists, allied health professionals, and stakeholders. As Chair, my goal would be to strengthen and give back to those relationships through clear representation, wider engagement, and visible celebration of Scotland’s occupational medicine community. Having served as Secretary, I understand the responsibility that comes with the role, and I would be proud to continue supporting the Scottish branch as Chair.
Dr Simon Walker, PhD, FHEA, FRSPH Suicidologist / Senior Occupational Health Research Associate Healthy Working Lives Group - University of Glasgow Research Lead - Healthy Working Lives Group Project Lead - Veteran Mental Health Systematic Review - Complex Systematic Review Unit
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