Appointment of the Chair of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise

13th May 2020

Mr Dodds joined the board of HIE in 2014 and became Deputy Chair in 2018. 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.

Having served as Acting Chair since 1 March 2020, he will now succeed Professor Lorne Crerar CBE, whose second term as Chair of HIE ended on 29 February.

Mr Dodds held senior positions with the Highland Council from 1991 and was the local authority's chief executive from 2007 until 2013. He was awarded the CBE in 2014, in recognition of his services to local government in Scotland.

Originally from Kelso, he has a strong understanding of the needs and opportunities of remote and rural areas. He has been directly involved in significant public sector reform and is a firm believer in creating benefits from effective partnership working between the public, private and third/voluntary sectors.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP, today announced the appointment of Alistair Dodds CBE as Chair of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Mr 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."

Appointment

Alistair Dodds moved to the Highlands in 1991 and now lives in Inverness. He held senior management positions in the Highland Council over a period of 18 years in HR and Corporate Governance and was Chief Executive for over six years until August 2013. He has a good understanding of remote and rural areas, has been directly involved in significant public sector reform and delivered the benefits from strong and effective partnership working with the public, private and third/voluntary sectors. Mr Dodds joined the HIE Board in 2014 and was the Depute Board Chair and Chair of the Risk and Assurance Committee. He is a Trustee of the National Galleries of Scotland (Depute Board Chair and Chair of the Risk and Assurance Committee) and in his HIE role, he is a member of the Court of the University of the Highlands and Islands. Mr Dodds was appointed CBE in 2014 for services to local government in Scotland.

Length of Term, Remuneration and Time Commitment

The appointment is for three years and runs from 1 May 2020 until 30 April 2023. The Chair of the Board receives c£45,174 per annum for a time commitment of 91 days per year.

Other Ministerial Appointments

Mr Dodds was until this appointment was made, a Member and Deputy Chair of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and received £419.00 per day for a time commitment of two days per month. He is also a Trustee and Deputy Chair of the Board of the National Galleries of Scotland. This is an unremunerated position with a time commitment of one day per month.

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Mr Dodds has had no political activity in the last five years.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

HIE is the economic and community development agency for an area covering more than half of Scotland's land mass, stretching from Shetland in the north to the southern tip of Argyll and including almost 100 inhabited islands. In collaboration with partners in the public, private and third sectors, HIE supports the delivery of Scotland's Economic Strategy and Economic Action Plan, reaffirming the Scottish Government’s commitment to create a more successful country, and make the region an attractive place to live, work and study. HIE recognises and supports the unique culture of this area, for example through delivering its Gaelic plan.

HIE has statutory powers to promote and assist economic development, enterprise, training, business competitiveness, strong communities, environmental improvement and international competitiveness and to advise Scottish Ministers on all related matters. HIE also works collaboratively with the other Enterprise and Skills agencies, with Scottish Government and more widely to support the wider enterprise and skills landscape though the aims of the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board.

Photo

Alistair Dodds

Photographer Ewen Weatherspoon