Bòrd na Gàidhlig appoints three new members
From the Edinburgh Report, 22 February 2011:
Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs, today announced the appointment of three new members, an extension of appointment for one member and the re-appointment to a second term for three members to Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
The new members are:
Elizabeth (Betty) McAtear is a native Gaelic speaker and was brought up on the Isle of Barra. She retired from the Board of Lews Castle College in April 2010 after serving eight years on the Board, the last two as acting Chairman. She also represented the College as a governor on the Board of the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute. Previously, she served on the NHS Western Isles Board for 10 years, part of that time as Chair. She brings valuable knowledge of strategic planning and experience of development of governance to the Bòrd.
Iain Campbell is a fluent Gaelic speaker from South Uist. He is the Senior Project Manager of Soillse, a seven year £5.29 million research project focussing on public policy toward the maintenance and revitalisation of Gaelic language and culture and involving the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute and the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. He is an experienced senior manager and researcher with Masters Degrees in Regional Economics, Business Administration and Rural Development and a BSc with Distinction in Rural Resources. He has a deep knowledge of Gaelic language revitalisation and processes.
John Macleod is a native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Lewis who has been resident in Edinburgh since 1970. After retiring from a police career in December 2000, he became more actively involved in Gaelic language, educational and cultural developments locally and nationally, becoming Convener of Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta), a Board member of Comunn na Gàidhlig, and, in recent years, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach. He has developed effective translation/interpretation skills and has been an active community contributor to numerous Gaelic developments in Edinburgh. He brings leadership, strategic and effective decision-making skills to the Bòrd along with a sound knowledge of community needs.