Shetland Enterprise has appointed Karen Eunson as their new chairperson to replace Brian Isbister, who stepped down earlier this month. David Thomson has also been appointed as vice-chairman.

Karen Eunson has been a board member of Shetland Enterprise for six years and David Thomson has been on the board of the local enterprise company since April 2004.

Karen Eunson was born and brought up in Shetland before going to Edinburgh to study English Literature at Edinburgh University. She continued her studies there doing a post graduate qualification in community education.

She then worked in the Pilton and Muirhouse areas of Edinburgh for three years specialising in adult education, before returning to Shetland in 1994.

Since 1995 Karen has worked at Shetland College and is currently the head of community learning at the College.

Speaking about her new role Karen said: “I’m really happy to have been offered the position of chairperson at Shetland Enterprise. When I first joined the board in 1999 I was the only woman, but now there is more diversity on the board which I feel is really beneficial for everyone involved.

“I’m very pleased to have been appointed to this important role because I sometimes feel people look at the enterprise company and associate what it does with business without fully appreciating its role in both skills and community development - both of these are my specific areas of interest so I hope to raise the profile of what we do within these key areas.”

Karen is also chairperson of the local advisory board for Careers Scotland, is on the editorial committee of the ‘New Shetlander’ - the local literary magazine, and is a member of her local school board. She is married with two children.

David Thomson, who was born and brought up in Lerwick, has been a manager and director of Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd since1998.

David is also involved with the development of Viking Energy Ltd and was appointed chairman of Shetland Renewable Energy Forum in 2003.

His key industry involvement is in the renewable energy sector and he was the principal author of the Shetland Strategy for Renewable Energy Development published in 2004.

Dr Ann Black, chief executive of Shetland Enterprise, paid tribute to Brian while welcoming Karen and David to the new posts.

Commenting on the new appointments, Dr Black said: “Karen and David have both brought a high degree of knowledge and experience to the local enterprise company during their time on the board. I am delighted that they have been appointed to these positions and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

“We at Shetland Enterprise are very grateful for all Brian’s hard work and commitment during his time as chairman, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Karen Eunson added: “It will be a real challenge for me to follow Brian Isbister. He has been a very committed and dedicated chairman whom we have all learnt a lot from; we will all miss him greatly.”

Karen and David were appointed on the 26th of September. Karen will chair her first board meeting on the 1st of November.