She has played a key role in a wide range of developments across the Outer Hebrides, working closely with public and private stakeholders. More recently, she was responsible for the agency’s involvement in maximising the benefits from a series of planned major investments in and around the southern islands of the Outer Hebrides.
Born and brought up in Paisley with a North Uist family, Joanna worked for Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh before settling in Benbecula in 2002. She went on to work in the private and third sectors and joined HIE as a manager for Uist and Barra in 2012.
Joanna is a chartered manager and in 2015 completed the Entrepreneurial Development Programme at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.
Commenting on her new role, Joanna said:
“It is a privilege to take up the role of area manager at a time of great opportunity for Innse Gall as we transition to net zero carbon and a fairer economy. I look forward to continuing to work closely with partners, businesses and communities to make a positive difference.”
Stuart Black, Chief Executive at HIE, said:
“With her experience in economic and community development, Joanna is an excellent addition to the team of area managers. She has well-established links with key local partners, communities and businesses. The next few years will be important for the Outer Hebrides as the economy recovers from the impacts of Covid and Brexit and builds on opportunities in food and drink, renewables and tourism.”
Joanna brings a wealth of invaluable knowledge from one of our highest priority areas and she is well placed to lead the area team. I am very pleased she has taken on this role.”
HIE air manaidsear sgìreil fhastadh do Innse Gall
Tha Joanna Peteranna air a fastadh mar mhanaidsear sgìreil aig Iomairt na Gàidhlealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE) ann an Innse Gall, an dèidh ceithir mìosan gu h-eadar-amail san dreuchd.
Tha i air prìomh dhreuchd a choileanadh ann an raon farsaing de leasachaidhean air feadh Innse Gall, ag obair gu dlùth le luchd-ùidhe poblach is prìobhaideach. O chionn ghoirid, bha i cunntachail airson com-pàirt na buidhne ann a bhith a’ meudachadh nam buannachdan bho shreath de phrìomh inbheistidhean a chaidh a phlanadh anns agus air feadh nan eilean aig deas ann an Innse Gall.
Bho theaghlach à Uibhist a Tuath, rugadh agus thogadh i ann am Pàislig agus bha Joanna ag obair do Bhanca na h-Alba ann an Dùn Èideann mus do rinn i a dachaigh ann am Beinn na Faoghla ann an 2002. Chaidh i air adhart a dh’obair sna roinnean poblach is prìobhaideach agus chaidh i gu HIE mar mhanaidsear ann an Uibhist is Barraigh ann an 2012.
Is e manaidsear cairte a th’ ann an Joanna agus ann an 2015 chuir i crìoch air Prògram Leasachaidh Tionnsgaineach aig Institiùd Teicneòlais Massachusetts (MIT) ann am Boston.
A’ toirt beachd air a dreuchd ùir, thuirt Joanna:
“ ’S e urram a th’ ann a bhith a’ gabhail dreuchd manaidsear sgìreil aig àm a tha làn cothruim do Innse Gall agus sinn ag eadar-ghluasad gu càrbon neoini agus eaconamaidh nas cothromaiche. Tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ri leantainn orm ag obair gu dlùth le com-pàirtichean, gnothachasan agus coimhearsnachdan gus diofar làidir a dhèanamh.”
Thuirt Stiùbhart MacIlleDhuibh, Àrd-Oifigear HIE:
“Leis an eòlas a th’ aice ann an leasachadh eaconamach is coimhearsnachd, bidh Joanna na taic dheimhinnich anns an sgioba de mhanaidsearan sgìreil. ’S e sàr neach-dreuchd a th’ innte do HIE tro a ceanglaichean fad-stèidhichte le prìomh chom-pàirtichean ionadail, coimhearsnachdan agus gnothachasan. Bidh na bliadhnaichean a tha romhainn cudromach do Innse Gall mar a bhios an eaconamaidh a’ dol am feabhas bho bhuadhan Covid agus Brexit agus a’ togail air cothroman ann am biadh is deoch, stuthan ath-nuadhachail agus turasachd.”
Tha i a’ toirt leatha saidhbhreas de eòlas buileach feumail bho aon de na sgìrean as àirde prìomhachais againn, agus tha i ann an deagh shuidheachadh airson na sgioba sgìreil a stiùireadh. Tha mi air leth toilichte gun do ghabh i an dreuchd.