New general manager appointed by social enterprise COPE

Lerwick woman Ingrid Webb has been appointed as general manager of the social enterprise company COPE Ltd.

Mrs Webb will take up her new duties in January 2012. A native of Lerwick, she is a qualified social worker and was manager of the SIC’s Eric Gray Centre before emigrating with her family to Australia in 2006.

She has been working as operations manager of “Life Without Barriers”, a non-governmental organisation in Queensland which provides services for the disabled.

Mrs Webb will take over from Malcolm Bell who has been acting as interim general manager since April 2010. Mr Bell will remain in post until his successor’s arrival to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

COPE board of trustees chairman James Smith said: “We are pleased to welcome Ingrid to the key leadership position in our organisation. The standard of applicant was extremely high and the board is delighted that we have been able to attract someone of Ingrid’s calibre to take over when Malcolm leaves us.

“Ingrid has all the skills required for this job and the trustees were impressed with her work in the past, both in Shetland and Australia, in similar organisations. I look forward to working closely with her as we continue to shape the company for the challenges which lie ahead.”

Mrs Webb said: “I am so happy to have secured the general manager’s position in such an important and successful organisation and can’t wait to get started when we return home to Shetland in January.

“I have been in close contact with Malcolm over the past few weeks and I have been very impressed with what COPE has been doing in the time since we left Shetland. I am really looking forward to working alongside everyone to build on the success that has already been achieved and work towards new and exciting projects for the future.”