Lack of public confidence

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11 July 2026 11:19

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In June 2011, Shetland Islands Council announced a decision to co-opt an unpaid independent director to help the SIC.

At the time, I had an exchange of emails with Alistair Buchan, the then chief executive, who replied: ‘I am going to consider the arrangements for the independent directorship once the new management team has been established and I have looked at skills gaps.’

I am not aware of an independent director ever having been appointed, and the skills gaps are glaringly obvious.

If the decision has not been rescinded, I recommend that SIC reconsider independent unpaid directors, and whether two or three might not be more appropriate, given current lack of public confidence.

Alan Skinner
Yell

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