Meet the folk behind the fund.
The Orkney Fund is managed by Orkney Islands Council on behalf of the UK Government's Pride in Place Programme.
An independent board of local representatives oversees all funding decisions, ensuring investment reflects the priorities of Orkney's communities.
Chair
Stephen Hagan
Former Convener for Orkney Islands Council, where he served as a councillor from 1994 to 2017 representing the North Isles.
Stephen has extensive experience in local government and community consultation, having led numerous public engagement initiatives across Orkney.
Vice-Chair
Craig Spence
Chief Executive of Orkney Housing Association and Chair of Orkney Charitable Trust.
Craig has a background in business and finance, and has held non-executive positions with various public bodies including NHS Orkney and Highland and Islands Enterprise.
Vice-Chair
Michael Morrison
Michael is a former Business Development Manager with Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority with a focus on oil and gas, cruise tourism and port development.
He is a Trustee/Director of the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness and has served with local Development Trusts and other community bodies.
Orkney and Shetland MP
Alistair Carmichael
Alistair has represented Orkney and Shetland in Westminster since 2001.
He served as Secretary of State for Scotland and is currently Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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Orkney MSP
Liam McArthur
Liam has represented Orkney in the Scottish Parliament since 2007.
He serves as Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, advocating for island interests and improved connectivity.
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Member
Cheryl Chapman
Cheryl is VisitScotland's Destination Development Manager for Orkney.
With a background in journalism, PR and communications, she is passionate about sustainable tourism and community development across the islands.
Orkney Islands Councillor
Gwenda Shearer
Gwenda represents Kirkwall East ward and is serving her third term as a councillor. She chairs the Education, Communities and Housing Committee.
She focuses on constituency work and community engagement across housing, education and leisure services.
Orkney Islands Councillor
Mellissa Thomson
Mellissa represents the North Isles ward and has served as an Elected Member since 2022. She lives on Eday with her family, where she farms beef and sheep.
She chairs the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee and the Harbour Authority, and is also Chair of the Orkney Ferries Board and a director of the Eday Development Trust.
Member
Morven Brooks
Morven is Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Orkney, providing strategic leadership to support charities, community groups and volunteers across Orkney Islands widely.
She has extensive senior leadership experience in the third sector, with a strong commitment to collaboration and inclusion.
Member
Rachel Scarth
Project Manager for Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney, Rachel has worked in the public sector for 20 years.
She has extensive experience of partnership working in the public, private and third sectors, project delivery and communications.
Member
Scott Robertson
Scott is a serving Police Chief Inspector based on Orkney, having joined in 1994. He has been committed to community policing throughout his service, working in this area at every rank.
He has served in several national departments and been involved in policing major events, with the Orkney Island Games a personal highlight.
Chair
Stephen Hagan
Former Convener for Orkney Islands Council, where he served as a councillor from 1994 to 2017 representing the North Isles.
Stephen has extensive experience in local government and community consultation, having led numerous public engagement initiatives across Orkney.
Vice-Chair
Craig Spence
Chief Executive of Orkney Housing Association and Chair of Orkney Charitable Trust.
Craig has a background in business and finance, and has held non-executive positions with various public bodies including NHS Orkney and Highland and Islands Enterprise.
Vice-Chair
Michael Morrison
Michael is a former Business Development Manager with Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority with a focus on oil and gas, cruise tourism and port development.
He is a Trustee/Director of the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness and has served with local Development Trusts and other community bodies.
Orkney and Shetland MP
Alistair Carmichael
Alistair has represented Orkney and Shetland in Westminster since 2001.
He served as Secretary of State for Scotland and is currently Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Visit website
Orkney MSP
Liam McArthur
Liam has represented Orkney in the Scottish Parliament since 2007.
He serves as Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, advocating for island interests and improved connectivity.
Visit website
Member
Cheryl Chapman
Cheryl is VisitScotland's Destination Development Manager for Orkney.
With a background in journalism, PR and communications, she is passionate about sustainable tourism and community development across the islands.
Orkney Islands Councillor
Gwenda Shearer
Gwenda represents Kirkwall East ward and is serving her third term as a councillor. She chairs the Education, Communities and Housing Committee.
She focuses on constituency work and community engagement across housing, education and leisure services.
Orkney Islands Councillor
Mellissa Thomson
Mellissa represents the North Isles ward and has served as an Elected Member since 2022. She lives on Eday with her family, where she farms beef and sheep.
She chairs the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee and the Harbour Authority, and is also Chair of the Orkney Ferries Board and a director of the Eday Development Trust.
Member
Morven Brooks
Morven is Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Orkney, providing strategic leadership to support charities, community groups and volunteers across Orkney Islands widely.
She has extensive senior leadership experience in the third sector, with a strong commitment to collaboration and inclusion.
Member
Rachel Scarth
Project Manager for Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney, Rachel has worked in the public sector for 20 years.
She has extensive experience of partnership working in the public, private and third sectors, project delivery and communications.
Member
Scott Robertson
Scott is a serving Police Chief Inspector based on Orkney, having joined in 1994. He has been committed to community policing throughout his service, working in this area at every rank.
He has served in several national departments and been involved in policing major events, with the Orkney Island Games a personal highlight.