Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Board

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP, today announced the reappointment of Dr Keith Nicholson, Ailsa Raeburn and Anna Salgado as Members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Members

Dr Keith Nicholson is a former professor in environmental geochemistry at universities in Scotland, New Zealand and Denmark. He turned to consultancy and is now an entrepreneur and multiple award-winning subject matter expert in Cyber Security. Dr Nicholson is a long-standing member of the Scottish Government's National Cyber Resilience Advisory Board and created the Public Sector Cyber Resilience Framework as a benchmark for Scottish public bodies. Dr Nicholson is the founder of Cyber Security Scotland specialising in cyber risk, audit, assurance and compliance against national and international security frameworks.

Ailsa Raeburn is the Independent Chair of the community owned Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, Chair of Community Land Scotland and a Member of the Board of Crown Estate Scotland. She works with rural and urban communities across Scotland to support their sustainable development ambitions. Having lived and worked in rural Argyll for over 20 years she understands well the opportunities rural Scotland offers as a place to live, work and invest.

Anna Salgado is Technical Director at Lifescan Scotland having joined them initially as a graduate. She has nearly 20 years experience in the design, development and high-volume manufacturing of medical devices and brings an in-depth knowledge of technology development from concept through scale-up and launch, governance within a global business environment, asset management and strategic planning. Ms Salgado is passionate about innovation, developing sustainable solutions and creating a vibrant and diverse business environment within the Highlands and Islands.

Reappointments

The reappointments are for three years and run from 13 June 2025 until 12 June 2028.

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

The reappointments attract remuneration of £419.00 per day for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month.

Other Ministerial appointments

Dr Keith Nicholson is a Member of the Board of VisitScotland and receives £285.00 per day for a time commitment of two days per month.

Ailsa Raeburn is a Member of the Board of Crown Estate Scotland and receives £232.42 per day for a time commitment of two days per month.

Anna Salgado does not hold any other 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.

Dr Keith Nicholson, Ailsa Raeburn and Anna Salgado have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is an ambitious organisation with a vital role in supporting businesses and communities across the Highlands and Islands to build a greener, fairer, and more resilient region that benefits everyone and makes a strong contribution to Scotland. Its five-year strategy, launched in August 2023, sets out a vision for a leading net zero region with a dynamic wellbeing economy and is aligned with the Programme for Government.

Responsible for setting strategic direction, key decision making and effective governance, the Board membership encompasses a range of skills, knowledge and experience that reflect the diversity of the region and the breadth of HIE’s remit. Board members are drawn from a range of backgrounds but have at least two things in common: passion for the Highlands and Islands and a commitment to make a positive difference to the wellbeing and prosperity of all those who live there.