1^st March 2023

Community trust seeks fresh talent

Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT) is on the lookout for talented new trustees to help oversee its mission to improve the quality of life in Shetland.

Candidates with the right blend of vision and experience would join the board of 12 volunteers who award grants for community ventures and protect the trust’s £380 million reserves for future generations.

SCT spends over £10m each year to support a wide range of services, including vital funding for around two dozen voluntary organisations.

Since forming in 1976 with oil funds, SCT has spent over £350m improving Shetland community life. Without it there would not be the same high-quality leisure centres, care homes, museums and the cinema and music venue Mareel.

Trustees serve four-year terms and attend four formal trust meetings a year as well as contributing to specialist committees on investments, budgets and grants, and audit and governance.

Trustee Susan Gray joined up last year, having worked in finance her whole career. She said: “It’s been a challenging and positive experience. I am still learning but there is a comprehensive induction programme and good support from officers and fellow trustees.

“I find it very interesting to work alongside the other trustees who come from different disciplines and bring wide and varied skills to our team.”

SCT chair Dr Andrew Cooper feels the charity is in good shape to navigate these turbulent times but enjoys seeing new trustees adding to the mix of talent.

He said: “We have great breadth of experience around the table already but hearing new perspectives and different ideas is always beneficial and makes us stronger.”

Application packs for prospective trustees are available to download here or by contacting the office at 22-24 North Road, Lerwick, telephone 01595 744 994.

To learn more about the role, contact the chief executive Dr Ann Black by email at ann.black@shetlandcharitabletrust.co.uk 

Contact: John Robertson

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