News / Amenity trust appoints new chief executive
SHETLAND Amenity Trust has announced that it has appointed Mat Roberts as its new chief executive.
Former Promote Shetland man Andy Steven had been acting general manager since the death of the trust’s long-standing figurehead Jimmy Moncrieff in early 2017.
In a statement issued on Monday morning, the trust – which has gone through a turbulent time in recent months as it strives to reduce its financial deficit – said Roberts would take up the role on Wednesday 14 March and would be available for interviews after that date.
Roberts has worked in a range of jobs in the commercial, public and charitable sectors, most recently as Interserve PLC’s group director of sustainable strategy. He is a trustee of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, the National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Cynnal Cymru (Sustain Wales).
SAT chairwoman Ruth MacKenzie said: “We are delighted to welcome Mat to the trust. His very broad range of experience across public, private and charitable work will enable the trust to move forward.”
Roberts is married to a Shetlander and he, his wife and two daughters moved back to the islands in the spring of 2017.
He said: “I am very pleased to join an organisation with such an established pedigree, fantastic facilities and committed staff.”
There has been criticism of the amenity trust’s commitment to transparency, including after a recent meeting at which members of the public and press were excluded after only a few minutes.
SAT draws its funding from a variety of public sources as well as a substantial grant from Shetland Charitable Trust, whose money is spent on behalf of the isles community.
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