New development manager confident of success
Malachy TallackHighlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed a new area manager for Shetland.
Rachel Hunter succeeds Stuart Robertson who has taken up the role of director of digital at the development agency.
Rachel, who is originally from Shetland, left the islands to study at Glasgow University when she was 18. This was followed by working in the central belt for a number of years, however she returned to Shetland in 2001 to work at the UHI NAFC Marine centre.
She joined HIE in 2003 as skills development manager and became head of operations three years ago. Most recently, she has been acting Shetland area manager at the agency’s office at Solarhus in the North Ness Business Park.
Married with a young daughter, Rachel’s interests include walking, crafts and textiles, particularly fine Shetland lace.
Rachel said: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed as the new area manager for Shetland. It is a challenging time for the economy but Shetland is competitively placed to play a pivotal role in delivering a strong future for the regional economy. I am very much looking forward to working with the team and with partner agencies to contribute further to Shetland’s success.”
HIE chief executive Alex Paterson, said: “This is an excellent appointment for our area office. Rachel brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role and has a detailed understanding of the key issues in the islands and beyond.”
Ali Inkster
With the coming boom in jobs in the oil industry, lets just hope she will direct some energy in this direction instead of throwing money at arts and crafts as has been the focus up here in the past. Average wage in the oil industry £87,000 average wage in the arts £22,000.
if this council and HIE are serious about moving the Shetland economy forward, they could do worse than to take this advice, just think 200 youngsters directed into careers in the oil industry would bring over £17 million a year into the local economy, all this without risking a penny on windmills.
John Tulloch
£425 million pounds over 25 years!
Enough said.
ian tinkler
Unfortunately Sciences are always being overlooked in Shetland. Try and find adult education in Physics, chemistry biology and maths (and allied sciences) to higher and above in night school. My daughters soon gave up finding locally taught classes. Pity really because that is the future if Shetland wants to progress, in the real world. Open University is the only option but is a poor substitute for local tutors.