Enterprise agency appoints local man to post

The new Shetland area manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is to be local man Stuart Robertson, it was announced yesterday.

Mr Robertson, who was born in Lerwick, educated at the Anderson High School and went to Aberdeen University, joined HIE in 1993 and is currently based at the organisation’s Inverness headquarters in a post described as head of regional infrastructure, which covers transport, telecoms and population.

He succeeds Dr Ann Black who left at Christmas to take up the role of general manager of Shetland Charitable Trust.

Married with four young sons, Mr Robertson’s hobbies include photography and genealogy.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking up this post and bringing my family back to live in Shetland.

“It is a challenging time for the economy but Shetland is competitively placed to contribute to this region’s road to recovery. I am very much looking forward to working with HIE’s team and with partner agencies to contribute further to Shetland’s success as a place to live and work.”

HIE’s regional director for Shetland, Carroll Buxton, said: “This is an excellent appointment for our area office. Stuart brings valuable attributes to the role and has a detailed understanding of the key issues in the locality. It also good to see a native Shetlander returning with a young family to the island.”

Mr Robertson takes up the post on the 9th of March.