Pocket profile:

NHS accountant turned chief executive at Yorkshire and Trent regional health authorities in the early 1990s. Combative, straight talking, unpretentious Yorkshireman whose NHS management career came to an abrupt end in the wake of the Yorkshiregate scandal.

Yorkshiregate?

Four managers got a caning in National Audit Office and Commons public accounts committee reports for management failings and financial irregularities at Yorkshire RHA between 1989 and 1994. Mr McLean, as chief executive, shouldered most of the blame.

What happened?

Mr McLean vigorously contested the findings, and questioned much of the evidence. There was suspicion he and his colleagues were made scapegoats for NHS-wide lapses in management conduct. He was damned as having 'behaved in a manner unacceptable in a public servant', and left the service in 1996.

Where is he now?

He is a self-employed consultant and lecturer specialising in management and finance. He is also a non-executive director of the Harrogate Public Sector Management Centre, a consultancy.

So his former infamy hasn't put everyone off?

'Nobody has ever snubbed me. I get asked to speak on Yorkshiregate. People ask me what the lessons were, what I would have done differently. Some admit it could have happened to them 'but for the grace of God'.'

Any regrets?

He is still angry about the original 'flawed' Yorkshiregate reports. But says 'with hindsight' he could have been more careful with some decisions and actions.

Ambitions?

'To continue to be involved in the health sector and help in any way I can.'