Gray to leave NAFC for Canada

THE DIRECTOR of Shetland’s NAFC Marine Centre is leaving his job to take up a new post on Canada’s east coast.

Professor David Gray announced on Wednesday morning that he had decided to accept an offer to become dean of faculty and principal of Dalhousie University’s new agricultural campus at Truro, Nova Scotia.

Gray leaves his post after four years in which he has made a huge impact on the way the Scalloway college is run.

He also briefly stepped in to the driving seat at Lerwick’s Shetland College until last year as it went through a difficult period.

Gray said he would remain in post until 31 July so that he could oversee the current review of tertiary education in Shetland and the government’s plans for regionalising further education.

Announcing his departure he thanked staff past and present as well as the board of trustees at the Shetland Fisheries Training Centre Trust, which is in charge of the NAFC.

“I truly believe that the current board is the best we have had and their engagement and commitment to the trust and its mission places it in a very strong position,” he said.

“I wish the NAFC Marine Centre all the best for the future and I am confident that the centre will continue to play a vital role in Shetland’s economy.”

Trust chairman Arthur Nicolson said he was sorry to see Gray leave the marine centre.

“His commitment and drive has been instrumental in raising the profile of the NAFC as a centre of excellence both locally and internationally,” he said.

“I wish him every success in his new venture and would like to thank him for his valuable contribution over the last four years.”