A farmer with a keen interest in renewables, a pharmaceutical consultant and a solicitor have joined the board of HIE Orkney.

Cliff Bichan from Orphir, Ian Cunningham from Tankerness and Roy Flett from St Ola were selected for the wealth of experience they will bring to the board.

Ian Cunningham moved to Orkney in February 2006 after a career in which he held senior positions in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. He and his wife Helen have also set up and run their own company providing educational and scientific consultancy.

Commenting on his new role, Dr Cunningham said: "I look forward to working with the staff at HIE Orkney and my fellow board members to contribute to the further development of the economic and community life of Orkney."

An Orcadian by birth, Roy Flett studied law at Aberdeen University before qualifying as a solicitor in 1988 after training with a major Edinburgh practice. He then returned to work for the Orkney law firm Lows, becoming a partner in 1992. From 2002 - 2006 Roy was seconded to Edinburgh where he worked with a number of Scotland's leading business figures on a start up venture.

He is married with three children and returned to live in Orkney in October 2006.
Roy said: "I'm pleased to join the board of HIE Orkney and hope to benefit the organisation and the community it serves."

Born and brought up in Orkney, Cliff Bichan has run the family farm at Swanbister in Orphir since completing an HND in Agriculture in 1974 in Aberdeen.

An active National Farmers Union Scotland member, he served as NFUS branch chairman, NFU Scotland Director and until recently was chairman of the NFUS Less Favoured Area committee.

He is currently a member of the Orkney College Agronomy Advisory board and the Orkney Willow Development Group and also has a keen interest in wind energy.

Married with four children, the family has diversified in numerous ways including running a self catering cottage for the past twenty years.

He said: "I am delighted to be invited to join the board of HIE and look forward
to working as a member of the organisation towards the development and expansion of the business community in Orkney."

HIE Orkney chairman Edgar Balfour has welcomed the appointment of Mr Bichan, Dr Cunningham and Mr Flett.

He said: "The three new board members have a wealth of experience in their respective business sectors and I'm sure they will make a very valuable contribution to the work of the board. The quality of applicants on this occasion was extremely high making the final selection process very hard for the panel."

HIE Orkney board members are involved in around 10 board meetings per year and must be resident in the Orkney area.  They can be asked to represent the area at events outside Orkney and although positions are unpaid necessary expenses are reimbursed.

Link to HIE Orkney website