Highlands and Islands Enterprise appoint new chairman
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The Scottish Government has appointed Alistair Dodds as the new chairman of cash-strapped Highland and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Having been the acting chairman since the start of March, Mr Dodds succeeds Professor Lorne Crerar whose second term as chairman ended on February 29.
The appointment is for three years and carries with a pay packet of £45,174 per year for just 91 days work.
Previously, Mr Dodds spent 22 years at Highland Council and was the chief executive from 2007 until he retired in 2013. The next year he joined the board of HIE and became deputy chairman four years later.
He has also chaired the development agency’s risk and assurance committee for the past four years and represented HIE on the board of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Announcing the appointment, cabinet secretary for the rural economy and tourism Fergus Ewing said: “I look forward to working with Alistair and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise board as we continue to address the economic crisis arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, and as they take a lead role in supporting recovery of the Highlands and Islands economy.”
Mr Dodds said: “Naturally, I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as the chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
“I have always recognised the important role the agency plays in supporting businesses and communities and developing local economies across this large and diverse region. My respect for HIE and its staff has only deepened since I became a board member in 2014.
“The coming years are going to be extremely challenging for Scotland’s economy as we deal with the impacts of Covid-19. That makes it more important than ever that HIE continues to be ambitious for every part of the Highlands and Islands and that we work with partners to strengthen our resilience and accelerate recovery.”
