Shetland Arts Development Agency (Shetland Arts) is an independent charitable trust whose objectives, set out in the Trust Deed, define the scope and type of work the organisation can undertake. The Trust Deed is the primary governing instrument that all the other policies, plans and activities of Shetland Arts are required to support.

Trustees

  • Jamie Manson (Chair)
  • Malcolm Innes
  • Michèle Kerry
  • Kerry Larbalestier
  • Hannah Hough
  • Kristofer Wilson
  • Charlotte Jones
  • Jacky Williamson

It is the role of Shetland Arts Development Agency Trustees to ensure the objectives of the Trust are realised through the management and direction of the organisation’s Chief Executive and through the approval and monitoring of a range of policies, delegation schedules and strategic plans. A key role of the Board of Trustees is to take the ‘long view’ on the organisation’s development and sustainability, including the monitoring of financial matters such as the approval of annual budgets and management accounts. Trustees ensure the organisation stays relevant to the community it serves by adapting to change and responding to strategic opportunities and challenges. Trustees serve a term of three years and are selected through a process of open recruitment.

The Chief Executive

The Chief Executive has a key role in developing strategy and policy. She/he attend Board Meetings and contribute to the decision making process. She/he has delegated authority from the Board of Trustees to manage all day to day functions of the Trust (including staffing matters) within agreed budgets and structures; and the delivery of arts development activity through the staff and volunteer team, in line with agreed service plans and organisational objectives. The Chief Executive also carries a specific responsibility for Health & Safety issues, ensuring that all relevant legislation is adhered to and that every reasonable action is taken to reduce risk to all who come into contact with the activity of the Trust.

Trustee Biographies

Jamie Manson (Chair)

Currently working as the Finance Director for Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd Jamie brings extensive experience of finances and resource management to Shetland Arts. Previous roles include Executive Manager, Finance at Shetland Islands Council and Director of Resources for Ascension Island Government

Malcolm Innes

Malcolm is a very experienced light artist and architectural lighting design consultant with experience on large scale projects around the world. He combines his architectural lighting design work with art projects and commissions working principally with light, sound and projection. Malcolm is now based at Shetland UHI and is Director of the Centre for Island Creativity. He also leads the Creative Economy Knowledge Exchange Group across UHI.

Michèle Kerry

Michèle currently works for Shetland UHI in the Student Support Team. A decision to study Forestry at university resulted in her leaving Shetland and spending most of her career working in woodland management and the environmental sector in various parts of the UK. With a keen interest in the arts Michèle has always tried to support the sector as a volunteer. Michèle and her family moved back home to Shetland in 2017.

Kerry Larbalestier

Kerry was a solicitor in England for many years, working in a market town practice primarily in the area of Family Law. She trained and worked as a collaborative lawyer to offer her clients a different way of resolving family issues.

She is a Rotarian and was a member of Newton Abbot Rotary Club before transferring to the Lerwick Club following her move to Shetland. During her time with the Newton Abbot Club she supported a number of art projects with local schools or local charities such as The Helen Foundation helping young people to access the arts, and this remains a particular passion of hers.

Hannah Hough

Hannah is an experienced management accountant who has worked in various roles both in the public and private sector. She moved to Shetland in May 2023 with her husband having visited for many years looking for otters. At an amateur level she is especially interested in textile work and crafts.

Jacky Williamson

Jacky works as an SVQ Assessor for Professional Cookery at UHI Shetland. Before joining the UHI, she ran her own event based/ catering business, combining creativity and community through food and celebration. Alongside her professional work, Jacky has been involved in Shetland's performing arts, performing in local plays, musicals, working backstage, choreographing dance routines and offering vocal coaching. She continues to expand her skills through attendance at NODA Summer School.

As a Shetland Arts Trustee, she is committed to supporting creativity, local talent and celebrating the islands' vibrant cultural community.

Kristofer Wilson

Kristofer is a dynamic and accomplished Engineer and Project Manager with board-level experience in both professional and personal contexts. He brings extensive operational delivery experience and can navigate across complex technical landscapes whilst aligning high impact projects with strategic plans & goals. Kristofer also has a rich background in the arts, including photography, especially wildlife, acting in film and musical theatre and hands-on involvement in stage and sound production. This blend of engineering precision and artistic creativity makes him a uniquely versatile and insightful contributor across disciplines.

Charlotte Jones

Charlotte has held an enthusiasm and appreciation for the arts since childhood. She enjoys a wide range of disciplines including film, literature, dance, visual arts and music and has regularly attended Mareel and Bonhoga for events and exhibitions since moving to Shetland in 2020. She recognises the significant and pivotal role arts and culture play in the community and is keen to assist with the continuing success of Shetland Arts as one of its trustees.

Charlotte is a practising solicitor and previously worked within the legal team at Shetland Islands Council where she advised on governance matters connected with the Council’s operations, its committees and the Shetland Integration Joint Board. Whilst there she also gained an insight into charitable organisations through her involvement with third sector contracts. She now works for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency with a greater focus on environmental and regulatory issues. Charlotte has a long-standing interest in sustainability and safeguarding the environment and hopes to bring this, as well as her governance experience, as her contribution to the SADA Board.