Shetland Charitable Trust - Ann Black
Shetland Charitable Trust
The Shetland Charitable Trust is a charity set up to benefit the people of Shetland, especially in the areas of social care and welfare; arts, culture, sport and recreation and the environment, natural history and heritage. This money comes from the oil industry as compensation for the terminal set up in Sullom Voe. The trust has disbursed over 320m on charitable activities since it was first set up.
For 50 years the Shetland Charitable Trust has provided community organisations with funds to improve the quality of life in Shetland. The fund is used to maintain extensive community facilities which enrich lives through culture, music, arts, and sport, and bring Shetlanders together. Not everyone enjoys the same quality of life, so the fund supports local charities who help people experiencing difficult times or disadvantage.
Without these funds, many services and facilities in Shetland would be diminished or may not exist. The Trust wants to make sure the quality of life its supports today is also available for future generations, so it is vital it manages the fund sustainably.
Find out more about Shetland Charitable Trust on their website.
Dr Ann Black, Chief Executive
Ann joined Shetland Charitable Trust in 2009 as Chief Executive having previously held posts of Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Executive of Shetland Enterprise and latterly as Area Director of HIE Shetland. Ann holds a M.A. (Hons) degree in Economic history & Sociology and a PHD from the University of Glasgow. She also obtained a UHIMI Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Management Diploma in 2003.
Ann believes the partnership can best serve the community by ensuring the most effective and efficient use of the resources at its disposal; as well as working with communities to understand and find innovative solutions to meet their needs.
In three years’ time, Ann would like to see the Partnership improving the quality of life for all in Shetland by tacking inequalities. The aim being to improve individual and community wellbeing, reduce disadvantage, and improve generational fairness through strong, resilient charitable and voluntary organisations.