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 Angus Campbell, Freda Newton MBE and Calum Ross as Members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Members

Angus Campbell is an island businessman and employer in the Isle of Lewis and today employs 30 people. He served for 18 years as a Councillor most of the time as Council Leader. He has a strong knowledge of socio economic issues across the Highlands and Islands with particular experience of funding issues and the prioritisation process. He has a strong interest in remote, rural and fragile areas, community ownership and the Gaelic language.

Freda Newton MBE is the owner and Managing Director of leading cruise/tour experience Loch Ness by Jacobite. She is an international advocate for the Highlands and Islands, driven to ensure visitors to the area enjoy the best experience possible. She won the prestigious Silver Thistle award and was awarded an MBE for services to economic and community development in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in 2017. She will this year join the Board of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in a non-executive role.

Calum Ross has been living and working in the Highlands since he bought the Loch Melfort Hotel near Oban with his wife in 2008. He combines this with a consultancy business, mentoring and advising SME’s across the Highlands and Islands in a variety of industry sectors. He is a Member of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Group as well as being a Director of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative and Red Roof Business Support Limited. He is also the Chair and a Director of the Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards.  He is a former Member of the Boards of VisitScotland and UK Hospitality.

Reappointments

The reappointments are for two years and run from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2026.

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

Angus Campbell, Freda Newton and Calum Ross do 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.

Angus Campbell, Freda Newton and Calum Ross 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 its vision for a leading net zero region with a dynamic wellbeing economy and is aligned with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation and the New Deal for Business.

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 come from a range of backgrounds but have at least two things in common: passion for this part of Scotland and a commitment to make a positive difference to the wellbeing and prosperity of all who live there.