Willie Shannon granted year-long secondment with recreational trust

Shetland Islands Council assistant chief executive Willie Shannon has taken up a one-year secondment as “strategic development manager” with Shetland Recreational Trust.

Mr Shannon, who made the headlines two years ago after his post was “deleted” by short-lived former SIC chief executive David Clark, has also worked in other roles in the council.

During his secondment at the recreational trust he will be assisting the organisation’s management team, after which he will be retiring from his post with the council.

SIC interim chief executive Alistair Buchan said: “I believe this represents a very good outcome for all parties, retaining as it does Willie’s services within Shetland. I wish Willie all the best for his secondment.”

Recreational trust chairman Joe Irvine said he was delighted that Mr Shannon will be joining the trust.

Mr Irvine said: “His knowledge and experience will be beneficial in this role. He will be responsible for reviewing the direction of the trust, both as regards to its activities and policies that support staff in the delivery of services.”

Mr Shannon, a qualified solicitor, moved to Shetland to work for the local authority 20 years ago. His various temporary and interim roles included that of coastal zone manager, project manager for colleges and training and head of economic development, before he was made assistant chief executive under Morgan Goodlad in 2006.

He was reserve candidate when Mr Clark successfully became chief executive in 2009. Following his removal from the assistant role he was reinstated following Mr Clark’s high-profile departure from the council the following year.