Bòrd na Gàidhlig welcomes new Co-optees

Bòrd na Gàidhlig are delighted to welcome two new co-opted members to their committees.  Kenneth MacIver joined the Policy and Resources Committee and Rob McKinnon joined the Audit and Assurance Committee from February 2023. 

They both bring a wealth of experience to the committees with a wide range of skills between them.

Kenneth MacIver has been involved in Gaelic affairs throughout his life. In his youth, he was involved in Gaelic drama. He worked at the Highland Society and taught Gaelic at the University College (UCD) in Dublin. People are more familiar with him as a broadcaster over many years. He was Chairman of Comunn na Gàidhlig, and of the Stornoway Trust, a member of Comhairle nan Eilean for 10 years and editor of the Stornoway Gazette.

Rob McKinnon has a background in finance and strategy, including a spell in PricewaterhouseCoopers corporate finance division in London and Sydney.  For many years he worked with the Boards and Executives of some of the of UK’s leading companies on organisation design, management processes, consumer insight and strategic decision making.  

He developed a focus on hospitality and tourism, leading delivery of strategic projects for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).  For the past five years he has been Chief Executive of Outer Hebrides Tourism, the destination management organisation for the Western Isles.  This included a much higher profile for Gàidhlig in promoting the islands, including a marketing campaign entirely in Gàidhlig. 

He is a Gàidhlig learner, completing Cùrsa Adhartais at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.  His family is from the Outer Hebrides and he splits his time between Edinburgh and the Isle of Harris. 

Shona MacLennan, Ceannard of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Kenneth and Rob and we know that they will contribute to the work of the committees. They both have a wealth of knowledge in a variety of sectors which will be most useful. We look forward to working with them.”