Chris Gaffney

Group Finance Director

Chris joined Johnstons of Elgin as Group Finance Director in 2011 where he has a wide remit within the luxury textile manufacturer and retailer, recently also assuming the role of Managing Director for their main manufacturing site in Elgin. Prior to joining Johnstons of Elgin Chris held a number of commercially orientated finance roles across the food & drink sector. He is also the Chair of SCDI’s Rural Commission.

Jane Cumming

Managing Director

Jane Cumming held some of the highest profile public sector PR jobs in Scotland before founding her own public relations firm in 2002, which she built into one of Scotland's largest independently owned PR consultancies. She sold her company to Muckle Media in 2015 and continues to work with them, as well as pursuing other business interests. She is a long-standing member of SCDI’s Highlands and Islands Regional Committee and became its Chair in 2017. She also sits on SCDI's Rural Commission.

Malcolm Macleod

Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy

Dr Stuart Black

Chief Executive

Jim Savege

Chief Executive

Jim started his career through training as a Geography teacher in Liverpool before moving on to work in Higher Education and then management consultancy, operating across a range of sectors including defence and utilities.
In November 2014, Jim was appointed to the position of Chief Executive with Aberdeenshire Council and took up post in February 2015.

Ewan MacColl

Operations Director Processing & Feed Scotland

Andrew Howard

Managing Director

Andrew Howard is Managing Director of Moray Estates the property business of the Earl of Moray. The Estate has significant farming enterprises; let property; forestry; renewable energy including wind, hydro and AD; and is involved in property development including Inverness Airport Business Park, Castle Stuart Golf Links and Tornagrain one of the first new towns in Scotland for 50 years.

Jen Vanderhoven

Vice-Principle Engagement

Jen is UHI’s Vice-Principal, Engagement, joining the organisation in January 2022; she is responsible for the Engagement portfolio including Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Corporate Communications and Sustainability and Social impact.

Rachel McEwan

Director of Sustainability

Rachel joined SSE in 2007 and is responsible for sustainability strategy, partnership funding and corporate heritage. She is a non-executive director of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. External to SSE, Rachel is Chair of the Business Leadership Group of Living Wage Scotland and is on the board of the Fair Tax Mark. Formerly Rachel was the Senior Special Adviser to Scotland's First Minister between 2001 and 2007.

Steven MacDonald

Economic Development Team Leader

Tom Uppington

Managing Director

Fraser Grieve

Deputy Director Strategy & Communications

Robert Thorburn

Partnership Director

Robert Thorburn is Openreach’s Partnership Director for Scotland, leading on the company’s commercial and funded programmes to deliver fast, reliable fibre broadband working with partners large and small. Robert has a 25-year career in the IT and communications sector with extensive experience in programme and project management.

Calum Iain MacIver

Director of Development

Clive Phillips

Partner

e: clive.phillips@brodies.com
t: 01224 392 281

Fiona Larg MBE

Chief Operating Officer and Secretary

Fiona has undertaken a variety of roles within the University of the Highlands and Islands since June 2007. She initially fulfilled the role of Assistant Secretary, prior to her appointment as Deputy Secretary in September that same year. She was appointed to the role of Secretary in October 2009 and with an increased breadth of role her title was changed to Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to working with the university, she was a general manager with Vertex Data Science Ltd (part of the United Utilities Group) and with Cap Gemini. She previously held the post of Chief Executive of Inverness and Nairn Local Enterprise Company, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network.

Gary I Campbell

Highlands & Islands Committee Vice - Chair

Rhona Gunn

Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment & Finance)

Fergus Murray

Head of Development & Economic Growth