Prominent local scientist Beth Mouat is joining the board of trustees of Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT).

The community charity is looking to add another two new faces in the coming months to replace three trustees stepping down at the end of May. SCT chair Andrew Cooper and Ian Napier will go after completing two four-year terms while Ken Harrison has spent four years on the board.

Dr Mouat is known for her work at UHI Shetland in Scalloway where she is director of research, enterprise and impact as well as the university’s islands strategy director. She is the recognised expert scientist on Shetland’s wild shellfish stocks and advises on the management of local shellfish fisheries.

Welcoming her appointment, Dr Cooper said: “I’m confident Beth will be a great asset and bring fresh ideas. We need sharp minds on the issues that inevitably arise, so SCT is grateful when skilled people give up their time to help.”

SCT holds around £380 million in reserves for future Shetland generations. These are mainly invested in world markets to generate a sustainable budget which, this year, stands at £15.6m for grants to community organisations. The main focus is on social care and welfare, sport and recreation, heritage, the arts and the environment.

Dr Mouat said she was keen to shape how community funds are put to best use in the coming years. Away from her work in education and science, she has a young family and is active in local sport, particularly netball.

She said: “The charitable trust contributes a great deal to community life in Shetland, not least through its support for charities and social care, alongside the fantastic leisure centres and cultural venues that it funds.  

“We all benefit from the investment decisions made by trustees and I am looking forward to contributing to that process during my time on the board.”

SCT is about to start work on its next financial strategy which will shape its spending plans for 2025-2030.

The other trustees who continue on the board are vice-chair Robert Leask, Margaret Roberts, Ryan Stevenson, Ewen Adamson, Aaron Ferguson, Susan Gray, Yvette Hopkins, Ryan Leith and Emma Miller.

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Contact: John Robertson

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