CalMac announces new Community Board members

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) has confirmed membership of its new Community Board.

The creation of the twelve member, independent board was a key element of the company's winning bid for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract last year and will be a strong community voice on strategic ferry issues.

CalMac's Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Brian Fulton said:

'The quality of candidates we received was outstanding and it was a difficult task to shortlist down to a final 12.

'Listening to our communities and acting on their wishes has always been central to how we organise our services.

'Now we have in place a platform that can proactively contribute to this process. We believe this board has the right skills and experience to really help us focus on developing our services as a catalyst to drive economic growth in the areas we serve.'

The Board is completely independent from the company and no CalMac representative will sit on it.

'It is very important that this is seen as completely independent. The knowledge this group brings will add tremendous value to our long term strategic decision making process and we are looking forward to hearing their views on the role transport can play in helping develop our communities in the future,' said Brian.

To ensure the input of the board is fresh and relevant membership will be for a 18 month period in the first instance with the option of an extension for 18 months.

It was announced recently that the chair of the new board would be Lewis based businessman and ex leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Angus Campbell.

Board members are geographically spread to ensure every community CalMac serves is represented. They are: Angus Campbell (Chairman) Rob Ware, Jim Porteous, Iain MacFarlan, Eoin MacNeil, Camille Dressler, Neal Goldsmith, Jane Howard, Stewart MacLennan, Bill Calderwood, Eddie MacKenzie and Angus Campbell.

Community Board chairman, Angus Campbell said:

'I'm delighted to welcome my fellow board members; the hard work now begins. I'm sure we are all looking forward to getting out and meeting our communities, hearing more about what the real barriers to economic growth are and how we might be able to work with CalMac to try and address.'