The Creative Highland board comprises senior figures from culture, education, business, tourism, community, and the public sector. Its primary role is to champion the bid and define a long-term vision for arts and culture throughout the Highlands.
The board will be co-chaired by Cllr Bill Lobban, Convener of The Highland Council, and Ellen Fogel Walker, Chief Executive of Visit Inverness Loch Ness. Derek Brown, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, and Vicki Nairn, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), will serve as Co-Vice-Chairs.
Inverness-Highland is awaiting the shortlist announcement later this month for the UK City of Culture 2029 title, competing against several other UK cities. The bid aims to showcase the Highlands as a place of vibrant, living culture, encompassing both ancient traditions and modern creativity.
The Creative Highland board will provide leadership and accountability for the Beò! 2029 bid, while also guiding the development of a comprehensive arts and cultural strategy for the Highlands. This work will complement the newly formed Highland Cultural Assembly, a forum designed to amplify the sector's collective voice.
“"The Creative Highland Board brings together a wealth of experience, insight and passion to create a lasting cultural legacy for the Highlands."
“"Our bid to become the UK City of Culture represents a defining opportunity for our region. It is not simply about celebrating our extraordinary cultural heritage, but about reimagining the place culture holds in our communities, our identity and our future."
As the sole Scottish contender and the first to represent both a city and its wider region, Beò! 2029 highlights the Highlands' rich and diverse culture. The bid emphasises culture's vital role in fostering resilient communities and addressing challenges such as depopulation, while promoting wellbeing and confidence in the region.
The bid outlines how cultural investment can support sustainable urban, rural, coastal, and island communities. It aims to increase participation, strengthen wellbeing, and build confidence for living, working, studying, and creating in the Highlands.
Current members of the Creative Highland Board include Charlotte Mountford (Director, Lyth Arts Centre), Chris Taylor (Destination Development Director, Visit Scotland), Cllr Bill Lobban (Co-Chair), Colin Marr (Chief Executive, Inverness Chamber of Commerce), Derek Brown (Co-Vice-Chair), Eilidh Primrose (Highland Youth Convener), Ellen Fogel Walker (Co-Chair), Fiona Dalgetty (Chief Executive, Fèis Rois), Frances Gunn (Chair, Flow Country Partnership), Ingrid Henderson (Producer and Musician), John Morrison (Chairman, MG ALBA), Karen Dick (Director of Place, Partnerships and Communities, Creative Scotland), Laura Walker (Theatre Producer), Leah McBain (former Youth Convener), Lucy Conway (Director, Isle of Eigg Trust), Rebecca Holt (Chief Executive, Eden Court Theatre), Sinéad Hargan (Artist), Steve Walsh (Chief Executive, High Life Highland), Stuart Black (Chief Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise), and Vicki Nairn (Co-Vice-Chair).
