News / Shannon to head NAFC as interim manager
SHETLAND Islands Council’s former assistant chief executive Willie Shannon has been appointed as interim manager of the NAFC Marine Centre.
The announcement was made on Thursday morning, less than a week after Shannon finished his year long secondment with Shetland Recreational Trust last Friday.
The 50 year old said he was only recently contacted by the board of the NAFC Marine Centre, interviewed on Tuesday and starts his new job next Monday.
The centre is keen to install a replacement as soon as possible for current NAFC director David Gray, who leaves next month to take up a post in Canada.
The college is in the middle of a critical period while Shetland Islands Council reviews its delivery of further and higher education in the isles to save money.
The Scottish government is also changing the way it funds the sector, with money coming through a regional committee rather than directly to colleges.
Gray said it was vital the NAFC protected its funding and its core purpose of supporting the islands’ marine industries, which bring £500 million a year into the local economy.
“The crucial thing is that our funding remains the same or increases in the coming years, that is a priority,” Gray said.
“We are seen as international leaders, it would be such a shame for that to slip back.”
Arthur Nicolson, chairman of the Shetland Fisheries Training Centre Trust that runs the college, said Shannon was an ideal candidate with a track record working with the NAFC and a good knowledge of the fishing industry.
He helped the centre set up its coastal zone management section in 2000 before moving into tertiary education where he was pivotal in securing long term funding for the NAFC and Shetland College.
Shannon hit the headlines in 2009 shortly after he was pipped to the post to become chief executive of the SIC after the retirement of Morgan Goodlad.
Successful candidate Dave Clark caused uproar when he swiftly deleted Shannon’s post as his assistant.
After four months Shannon was reinstated and Clark himself left the council with a £285,000 golden goodbye.
Both men were key witnesses at The Accounts Commission hearing into the SIC in June 2010.
Shannon remained with the council to support new chief executive Alistair Buchan, before his request for a secondment was granted and he joined the recreational trust in October 2011.
Commenting on Thursday, Shannon said he was very pleased to have been offered his new post at the NAFC.
“The centre provides training, education and research which greatly supports Shetland’s maritime industry and I am committed to protecting this valuable resource,” he said.
“The NAFC is valued both in and outwith Shetland and I look forward to contributing to the management and playing a role in shaping its future.”
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