Also in the news 20 August 2026
- New major SIC appointments
- UK citizenship ceremony
- MSYP nominations sought
- Bluetongue warning
TWO major appointments have been made as part of Shetland Islands Council’s ongoing management restructure.
Current finance manager Paul Fraser is set to become the interim director for people and resources.
He will take on a portfolio which includes finance, HR, assets and property, transformation, climate change and waste services.
Kristen Johnston, who is currently legal team leader, will be the director for governance.
This role includes responsibility for legal services, digital and technology, procurement and internal audit, as well as emergency planning and resilience.
Council chief executive Maggie Sandison said she was very pleased to have filled the two new roles.
“It’s a tribute to the strengths and quality of our own staff that these are internal appointments.
“We are building a strong leadership team to help drive the council forward at an exciting and challenging time for local government.
“Paul and Kristen’s input will be critical to the next stages of the restructure, which will focus on the next tiers of management.
“There’s also a key directorial role still to fill – that of director – place, which we hope to be able to recruit to in a few months.”
Johnston and Fraser will start their new roles on 1 September.
TWO people became UK citizens following a ceremony at Lystina House in Lerwick this afternoon (Thursday).
Ashlea Tulloch and Aniela Prezinwski both received their certificates of UK citizenship at a short ceremony attended by Lord Lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch and depute convener of Shetland Islands Council Catherine Hughson.
YOUNG people in Shetland aged 14-25 are being invited to put themselves forward to become members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs).
Two MSYPs will be elected to represent Shetland for the two-year term from November 2026 to November 2028. Applications to stand as a candidate are now open and will close on 25th September 2026.
Any young person wishing to submit a candidate profile can do so here.
Voting will take place during a fortnight-long election period from 2-15 November, with the successful candidates due to be announced on Monday 16 November.
Shetland’s MSYPs will be supported in future to lead campaigns and represent young people’s issues locally.
Anyone interested in finding out more should contact election coordinator Anna Lomax by phoning 01595 744490 or emailing youthservices@shetland.gov.uk
LIVESTOCK owners are being advised to be vigilant when they purchase animals during the autumn sales because of bluetongue virus cases in Scottish sheep.
The first cases of Bluetongue serotype (‘BTV-3’) in Scotland were confirmed at a small number of premises in Dumfries and Galloway last week.
The disease can affect all ruminant mammals, including sheep, cattle and goats. Livestock owners must immediately report any suspected cases.
Spread primarily by biting midges, the disease has spread widely this summer across England and Wales, where over 450 cases have now been recorded.
To reduce the risk of buying infected animals, livestock owners in Shetland are advised to purchase stock from as far north in Scotland as possible where the bluetongue risk is currently low.
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