Guiding innovation across Scotland’s islands - our industry advisory board
The Industry Advisory Board brings together six accomplished business leaders from Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides to help drive innovation and sustainable growth across Scotland’s island economies.
Appointed by Heriot-Watt University, the board combines deep local knowledge with national and international expertise across sectors including renewable energy, social enterprise, finance, textiles and economic development. Together, they play a vital role in shaping funding decisions, mentoring applicants, and ensuring that the TalEntEd programme delivers meaningful impact for island communities.
Tha am Bòrd Comhairleachaidh Gnìomhachais againn a’ toirt còmhla sianar stiùirichean gnìomhachais soirbheachail à Arcaibh, Sealtainn is na h-Eileanan Siar gus cuideachadh le bhith a’ brosnachadh ùr-ghnàthachadh agus fàs seasmhach air feadh eaconamaidhean eileanach na h-Alba.
Air am fastadh le Oilthigh Heriot-Watt, tha am bòrd a’ toirt còmhla eòlas ionadail domhainn agus eòlas nàiseanta is eadar-nàiseanta thar diofar roinnean, a’ gabhail a-steach cumhachd ath-nuadhachail, iomairt shòisealta, ionmhas, aodach agus leasachadh eaconamach. Còmhla, nì iad obair chudromach ann a bhith a’ toirt buaidh air co-dhùnaidhean maoineachaidh, a’ toirt comhairle do thagraichean, agus a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil buaidh bhrìoghmhor aig prògram TalEntEd air coimhearsnachdan eileanach.
Steven Coutts
Steven Coutts is currently CEO of COPE Ltd, which provides volunteer and employability skills development opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Prior to this, he served as the leader of Shetland Islands Council and was heavily involved in progressing the Islands Deal.
Tha Steven Coutts na Cheannard air COPE Ltd aig an àm seo, a bheir seachad cothroman leasachaidh sgilean saor-thoileach agus comas cosnaidh (employability) do dhaoine le ciorraman ionnsachaidh agus òtasam. Roimhe seo, bha e na cheannard air Comhairle Shealtainn agus bha e gu mòr an sàs ann a bhith a’ cur Aonta nan Eilean air adhart.
Margaret Ann Macleod
Margaret Ann Macleod is CEO at Harris Tweed Hebrides. With more than 20 years experience in textile manufacturing, retail and rural economic development, she returned to Lewis and Harris, initially working for HIE, before joining Harris Tweed Hebrides in 2013. She also serves as chair of the board at Stornoway Port.
Tha Mairead Anna NicLeòid na h-àrd-oifigear aig Harris Tweed Hebrides. Le còrr is 20 bliadhna de dh’eòlas ann an gnìomhachas saothrachaidh an aodaich, ann an reic agus leasachadh eaconamach dùthchail, thill i gu Leòdhas is na Hearadh, ag obair an toiseach do dh’Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean, mus do thòisich i ag obair do Harris Tweed Hebrides ann an 2013. Tha i cuideachd na cathraiche air bòrd Port Steòrnabhaigh.
Alister Brown
Alister Brown joined Highlands and Islands Enterprise in 2022 after 14 years at Orkney Islands Council, working in economic/community development and external funding. He works as senior innovation manager within HIE’s innovation and technology team and has been engaged in the Islands Deal from conception to delivery.
Chaidh Alister Brown a dh’obair le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean ann an 2022 às dèidh 14 bliadhna ag obair le Comhairle Arcaibh, agus e ag obair ann an leasachadh eaconamach/coimhearsnachd agus maoineachadh bhon taobh a-muigh. Tha e ag obair mar àrd-mhanaidsear ùr-ghnàthachaidh ann an ùr-ghnàthachaidh is teicneòlais Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean agus tha e air a bhith an sàs ann an Aonta nan Eilean bho thùs gu lìbhrigeadh a’ phròiseict.
Margaret Keenan
Margaret Keenan is a senior relationship manager based at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Kirkwall. She has 38 years of experience in banking having started her career in Orkney, followed by a period working in Edinburgh. Now back in Orkney, she works with a mix of commercial clients.
Tha Margaret Keenan na h-àrd-mhanaidsear dàimhean stèidhichte ann am Banca Rìoghail na h-Alba ann an Kirkwall. Tha i air a bhith ag obair ann am bancaireachd fad 38 bliadhna. Thòisich a beatha obrach ann an Arcaibh, agus bha i an uair sin ag obair ann an Dùn Èideann fad ùine. A-nis air ais ann an Arcaibh, bidh i ag obair le measgachadh de chliantan coimeirsealta.
Matthew Finn
Matthew Finn is managing director at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney. He works with a wide range of organisations to develop new areas of research and technology development in the low carbon sector. In the past five years, he has helped raised more than £250m in funding to support projects in wave energy, tidal energy, floating wind, hydrogen and energy systems.
Tha Matthew Finn na stiùiriche riaghlaidh aig Ionad Cumhachd Mara na h-Eòrpa ann an Arcaibh. Tha e ag obair le farsaingeachd de bhuidhnean gus raointean ùra de rannsachaidh agus leasachadh teicneòlais a thoirt air adhart anns an roinn bheag-charboin. Anns na còig bliadhna mu dheireadh, tha e air cuideachadh gus còrr is £250m a thogail ann am maoineachadh gus taic a thoirt do phròiseactan ann co-cheangailte ri cumhachd nan tonn, cumhachd na mara, cumhachd na gaoithe aig muir, agus siostaman haidridean agus siostaman lùtha.
Daniel Gear
Daniel Gear is the founder and managing director of Voar Energy Ltd in Shetland, the co-founder of Equitable Energy Research and the Norn Engineering Alliance. His work focuses on helping communities, developers and public bodies to define practical ways for energy projects to deliver long-term local value.
Stèidhich Daniel Gear Voar Energy Ltd ann an Sealtainn agus tha e na mhanaidsear-stiùiridh air a’ chompanaidh. Tha e na co-neach-stèidheachaidh air Equitable Energy Research agus air an Norn Engineering Alliance. Tha an obair aige ag amas air coimhearsnachdan, luchd-leasachaidh agus buidhnean poblach a chuideachadh gus dòighean practaigeach a lorg gus luach ionadail fad-ùine a lìbhrigeadh bho phròiseactan cumhachd.