Morag appointed to lead Living Lerwick
MORAG Smith has been appointed as the new project manager of Living Lerwick.
Originally from Shetland, Smith is said to bring extensive experience in project and event management, fundraising, communications, marketing and storytelling.
She will deliver the project manager role through her venture Koko Events.
Smith has worked with organisations including Save the Children and Action Against Hunger.
Living Lerwick said she understands the realities facing the town’s independent businesses through her involvement with Blyde Welcome and her wider work supporting companies with marketing, promotion and customer engagement.
For Smith however, the connection with Lerwick began long before her professional career.
“Growing up in Shetland, the street was a huge part of my life. Many Saturday afternoons were spent wandering around the shops, getting a special hot chocolate from The Peerie Shop or trying on clothes in Klaize.
“Those memories may seem like small things, but they are part of what makes a town centre matter. It is not simply somewhere we shop – it is where people meet, stories are shared and memories are made.
“I am genuinely delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead Living Lerwick into its next chapter. Lerwick’s businesses give the town so much of its character, and I want Living Lerwick to be an organisation that listens to them, represents them and makes its work and value visible.”
The Living Lerwick board was said to be impressed by her “strategic approach, strong communication skills, understanding of the town and its businesses, and ideas for securing new income and developing partnerships”.
Living Lerwick chair Steve Mathieson said: “We are very pleased to welcome Morag as Living Lerwick’s new project manager.
“The board was impressed by the quality of her proposal, her enthusiasm for Lerwick and the combination of strategic thinking, creativity and practical experience she will bring to the role.
“This is an important period for Living Lerwick. Morag demonstrated a clear understanding of both the challenges ahead and the opportunities available to us. We believe she will be a strong and approachable representative for our businesses and an effective advocate for the town centre.”
During the first year of the contract, Smith will work on a hybrid basis, combining regular periods in Shetland with work from London while she completes existing professional commitments there.
Living Lerwick said it would also like to thank outgoing project manager Emma Miller and Joanne Williams for their “dedication and considerable contribution over the years”.
“Their knowledge, commitment and hard work have established a strong foundation for the organisation’s next term, including visible improvements to the town centre, promotional activity, events and continued advocacy on behalf of businesses,” the organisation said.
Smith added: “Emma and Joanne have put an enormous amount of work into Living Lerwick, often behind the scenes, and I am very grateful for the generous handover they are providing.
“Lerwick town centre has a proud past, but this role is also about its future.
“I am excited to work with its businesses, the board and the wider community to help create a town centre that feels cared for, confident and unmistakably its own.”
In further changes to the organisation, Ben Mullay has stepped down as a director, having been on the board since Living Lerwick was established in 2012.
Stepping in is Michael Craigie, who is representing High Level Music and Market Cross Music Company Ltd – businesses operated by his son Konrad.
Any member business may nominate a director to join the board by emailing info@livinglerwick.co.uk.
