Public appointment: Members appointed to Highlands and Islands Enterprise Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, today announced the appointment of Anne Rae-McDonald, Helen MacInnes, and Mary Bowman as Members to the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Members

Anne Rae-MacDonald is an experienced Non-Executive Director, farmer and business owner with over 30 years of agricultural, commercial and public sector experience. She was raised on a family farm near Alness, Easter Ross with the 300 hectare arable business now run by herself and her husband. She is also currently Non-executive Director of Food Integrity Assurance Ltd, providing independent certification for food and farming businesses, and has served on various Scottish Government working groups including the Women In Agriculture Taskforce, and Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) advising on future agriculture support strategy.

Anne’s career has combined her business experience with senior leadership roles in agricultural policy & delivery, rural development and governance with extensive experience of working within farmer-led co-operatives. She brings a strong understanding of commercial agriculture, business growth along with stakeholder engagement and organisational transformation.

 

Helen MacInnes has over 10 years of experience delivering renewable energy projects across Scotland and further afield, working with a wide range of stakeholders to support the development and delivery of sustainable energy infrastructure. Through this work, Helen has developed a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with renewable energy development and its role in supporting regional economic growth and community resilience.

A native Gaelic speaker, Helen has a strong interest in the preservation and advancement of Scottish Gaelic language and culture. Helen is passionate about supporting initiatives that celebrate and promote Gaelic heritage through positive projects, community engagement and showcase events, helping to ensure the continued visibility and vitality of Scotland's cultural traditions for future generations.

 

Mary Bowman is a Chartered Surveyor and Director of a Highlands-based surveying firm, where she advises landowners, businesses, and community organisations across the region on rural land management, renewable energy and infrastructure projects. She has extensive experience across the Highlands and Islands working on

major transmission, offshore wind and other renewable energy projects – alongside working with strategic partners in the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, supporting inward investment and regional economic development. Mary has served as a Shadow Board Member since 2025, providing her with a strong understanding of the organisation and its purpose and breadth of work across the region. Having studied, lived and worked across various parts of the Highlands, she brings a practical experience of the challenges and opportunities facing remote and rural communities, and is passionate about the region’s future.

Appointment

These appointments will be for 3 years and will run from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £419 per day for a time commitment of 30 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Anne, Helen and Mary do not hold any other ministerial public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Anne, Helen and Mary have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

HIE is the economic and community development agency for an area covering more than half of Scotland’s land mass, stretching from Shetland in the north to the southern tip of Argyll and including almost 100 inhabited islands. In collaboration with partners in the public, private and third sectors, HIE supports the delivery of Scotland’s Economic Strategy and Economic Action Plan, reaffirming the Scottish Government’s commitment to create a more successful country, and make the region an attractive place to live, work and study. HIE recognises and supports the unique culture of this area, for example through delivering its Gaelic plan.