Stephen McGowan Appointed to STA Board and New Civic Licensing Task Force
Advisor - People | May 08, 2025 | TLT

Stephen McGowan, Partner and Head of Licensing for TLT LLP in Scotland, has been appointed to two significant roles: as a Board Member of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) and as Chair of the Scottish Government's new Task Force on Civic Licensing Reform. Renowned for his work in the hospitality and leisure sector, McGowan will work alongside Marc Crothall, CEO of the STA, to contribute to the growth of Scotland's tourism industry. Moreover, the government task force aims to review the legacy Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, providing recommendations for modernizing its licensing provisions. The outcome report is scheduled for publication before the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026 and involves representatives from various sectors including local authorities, Police Scotland, and other stakeholders.
Sectors
- Legal Services
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Government and Public Sector
Geography
- Scotland, United Kingdom – The appointments and activities are based in Scotland, involving Scottish law, government, and tourism industry.
Industry
- Legal Services – Stephen McGowan is a partner and head of licensing at TLT LLP, indicating involvement in legal services.
- Tourism and Hospitality – The article discusses McGowan’s role in the Scottish Tourism Alliance, impacting the tourism and hospitality sectors.
- Government and Public Sector – The Scottish Government's task force on licensing reform is directly related to public sector legislative activities.
Financials
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Stephen McGowan | Partner and Head of Licensing; Board Member; Chair | Person | A key individual at TLT LLP, appointed to the board of the Scottish Tourism Alliance and as Chair of the Licensing Task Force. |
TLT LLP | Employer | Company | Stephen McGowan's employer and notable law firm. |
Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) | Industry Body | Charity | The representative body for the tourism industry in Scotland. |
Scottish Government | Government | Government | Established the Task Force for Civic Licensing Reform. |
Marc Crothall | CEO | Person | CEO of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, working with Stephen McGowan. |