Chair appointed to the Board of HIE

28th October 2025

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP, has announced the appointment of Angus Campbell as Chair of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The appointment is for three years from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2028.

The Deputy First Minister said: "I am delighted to welcome Angus as Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Angus has been a valued member of the HIE Board since 2018 and will, I know, put this experience to good effect in leading the Board.

"I am pleased that HIE will continue to benefit from the wealth of knowledge Angus has of the Highlands and Islands area and his experience as a businessman and councillor. I look forward to working with Angus in his new role."

Angus Campbell is a local businessman in Lewis, employing 30 people in his own business which he established in 1996. He has 18 years' experience as a councillor with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, serving as Leader for most of this time.

Angus has strong experience of funding issues and socio-economic challenges across the Highlands and Islands, such as transport and housing, and is focused on developing transformational opportunities in the region, including the energy sector.

He was a Member of the Board of NatureScot and the Court of the University of the Highlands and Islands and was the founding Chair of the Ferries Communities Board.

Angus has a long-standing commitment to Gaelic language and culture. He is a passionate advocate for community land ownership and supporting a strong third sector.

Angus commented: “I am extremely proud to be taking on the role of Chair of HIE.

“I have known the organisation well for a good number of years, including as a former council leader, as a board member since 2018 and more recently as Deputy Chair.

“The breadth and quality of work our staff do is genuinely impressive and greatly appreciated by all the communities, businesses and other organisations that we work with across the whole of our region.

“The opportunities that currently exist across the Highlands and Islands are immense but also bring extra responsibility for us all. I look forward to that challenge and advocating for a strong HIE to deliver for the Highlands and Islands and continue to make a positive difference. Together, I have confidence we will do just that."

Stuart Black, chief executive of HIE, added: "We are very grateful to the Scottish Government for managing the recruitment process and to the appointments panel for their hard work.

"Angus not only brings to the role a track record of dedication to public service across many years, including as a widely respected Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar undertaking pioneering work such as 'Our Islands, Our future'. He also combines a wealth of experience as a successful entrepreneur and business leader in his own right with a passion to make a positive difference to the economy, communities and culture of the Highlands and Islands.

"I'm sure all HIE employees will join me in welcoming this appointment and look forward to working with Angus and the Board as we pursue economic and community growth across all parts of the region at this time of significant opportunity”.