High Life Highland News

13 Dec 2024

High Life Highland seeks new board members

High Life Highland seeks new board members: Retirals - Board Dec 2024

High Life Highland is seeking to appoint non executive directors to provide strategic direction, expert advice and governance. Vacancies will arise on both the main board and the trading board in March 2025 with the retiral of two long standing members, Ken Nicol and former Chair, Mark Tate.

High Life Highland, which was set up by The Highland Council in 2011, aims to make life better for residents and visitors alike by providing affordable access to opportunities in health and wellbeing, learning and culture for everyone in Highlands.

The charity warmly welcomes applicants with diverse skills and expertise, particularly individuals with a proven track record in strategic leadership, as well as those with experience in net zero and sustainability, commercial ventures, catering, or tourism leadership.

The High Life Highland charity board consists of four elected members from The Highland Council and eight independent directors. Meanwhile the trading board is made up of nine directors, with every member bringing a wealth of experience and skills to these voluntary roles.

Chair of the main High Life Highland board, Michael Golding said: “Our sincere thanks to Ken and Mark for all their outstanding contributions to High Life Highland over many years, their knowledge and experience will be missed around the table.

“I am sure that both Ken and Mark would agree that it is immensely rewarding to be part of a charity like High Life Highland. All of our directors have one thing in common – their commitment and desire to make life better for the people of the Highlands. It is highly rewarding to be part of the Highland’s largest charity, and see the positive effect made by our committed team in communities throughout the Highlands, every single day. If you share that desire to make life better for the people of the Highlands, then please do consider this rare opportunity.”

Michael Boylan is chair of the High Life Highland trading board, he commented: “The opportunity to contribute to an organisation that plays a role in the lives of residents and visitors to the region alike doesn’t come along too often.  There are very exciting times ahead for the Highlands including the opening of the Inverness Castle Experience in 2025 and the High Life Highland trading board will make a significant contribution to the strategic direction of the castle alongside all of the other established trading elements of the charity. We look forward to welcoming new members with fresh ideas, a strong entrepreneurial and commercial background to the trading board in the near future.”

High Life Highland is committed to creating and maintaining balanced and diverse boards, and whilst all applications will be considered based on an individual’s ability and fit with the job description and person specification, the charity would also particularly welcome applications from female, young, and ethnically diverse community members to represent the services delivered by the organisation.

Michael Golding added: “I would encourage anyone who might be interested in joining our friendly team to get in touch. There are many people out there who have so much to offer a charity like High Life Highland and we look forward to hearing from you.”

Anyone interested in applying to be a director of High Life Highland should visit the website for more information. The deadline for applications is 19 January 2025.

High Life Highland supports people of all ages across the Highlands through delivery of services including leisure facilities, libraries, archives, community centres, sport, outdoor activities, music tuition and visitor attractions.

ENDS

Contact Information

Karen Archer
Media and Content Officer
High Life Highland
07741177582
karen.archer2@highlifehighland.com

Notes to editors

  • Interviews with Michael Golding or Michael Boylan can be arranged.
  • The image attached shows L to R: Michael Golding, Ken Nicol, Mark Tate and High Life Highland Chief Executive Steve Walsh.

More information about High Life Highland

  • High Life Highland is a registered Scottish charity and company limited by guarantee. Set up in 2011 and an arm’s length external organisation (ALEO) wholly owned by The Highland Council it is the largest charity and third sector provider in the Highlands of Scotland.
  • High Life Highland operates 8 services: archives, community venues, sport and physical activity, countryside rangers, leisure facilities, libraries, music development and visitor attractions. These services attract many millions of local, national and international visitors every year across all services, both in person and virtual visits.
  • The charity’s Chief Executive is Steve Walsh. The charity board is chaired by Michael Golding. The trading board is chaired by Michael Boylan. The executive team includes: Director of Community, Leisure and Sport – James Martin; Director of Culture and Learning – John West; Director of Strategy and Performance – Douglas Wilby.
  • High Life Highland works with many partners (local, regional, and national) to deliver services and activities, making life better for the residents and communities of the Highlands (often to those individuals/families most in need).
  • In addition to the funding received from The Highland Council for the delivery of public services on behalf of the local authority, the majority of the charity’s earned income comes from customer/member income.