Emma Macdonald

Political Leader, Shetland Islands Council

Emma first joined the council in 2017, becoming deputy leader a year later. During her first term as a councillor Emma also chaired the Integration Joint Board. In 2022 she was re-elected and appointed Leader, also taking on membership of the Health Board for the Council. Outside of her political career Emma previously ran and owned a coffee shop for 10 years.

New to the partnership in 2022, Emma believes that the partnership can best serve the community by working closely together. By doing so you can get the best out of each service for the best of the community. Successful partnership working is built on an understanding of individual and collective responsibilities.

Emma sees this as something that is already happening, particularly with much of the work around poverty and its impacts. This work may not have been possible without the partnership existing.