Public appointment: members reappointed to Highlands and Islands Enterprise board

Reappointment of members of the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes MSP, today announced the reappointment of Angus Campbell, Freda Newton MBE and Calum Ross as Members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Reappointments

Angus Campbell is a local businessman and employer in Lewis. He started his own business in 1996 and continued to employ up to 30 people in the Islands. He has 18 years of experience as a Councillor, many as Leader. Mr Campbell also has strong knowledge of the socio-economic issues across the Highlands and Islands, particularly in remote, rural and island contexts. He is currently chair of the Ferries Community Board, Clyde and Hebrides, and represents HIE on the Court of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Freda Newton is the Owner and Managing Director of leading tour/cruise experience Loch Ness by Jacobite. She is also an international advocate for the Highlands and Islands, driven to ensure visitors to the area enjoy the best experience possible.

Calum Ross has been living and working in the Highlands for the last thirteen years. He bought Loch Melfort Hotel, near Oban, in 2008 and combines the challenges of small business ownership with business consultancy, mentoring and advising SMEs across the Highlands and Islands. He serves as chair of UK Hospitality Scotland; director of UK Hospitality UK; Director of the Scottish Tourism Alliance and is a member of the Scottish Tourism Taskforce. He is a founding director of Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative and is a former board member of VisitScotland.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Length of term, remuneration and time commitment

The reappointments are for three years and run from 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2024. Members of the HIE Board receive £419.00 per day for a time commitment of two days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Mr Campbell, Ms Newton and Mr Ross do not hold any other Ministerial 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.

Mr Campbell, Ms Newton and Mr Ross have had no political activity within the last five years.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

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.