ERASMUS +: How can Scotland rejoin the largest education programme in the world?

Erasmus-Plus webinar: 4pm, Monday 8th February

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The UK Government has withdrawn from a proven scheme that has involved over 10m young people – students, apprentices and more – in exchanges across Europe in favour of an untested one-way scheme. But the Scottish and Welsh Governments are talking to Brussels about rejoining Erasmus.

How good are the prospects? Join us at 4:00 pm on Monday 8 February when we will examine why Erasmus-Plus has been such a success, why the mooted replacement Turing scheme is no alternative and how Scottish and Welsh young people should continue to enjoy the huge opportunities the EU scheme offers.

Chaired by Mark Lazarowicz, Chair of the European Movement in Scotland, we draw on the expertise of three/four authorities, including the founding spirit behind Erasmus, to explore the challenges and options ahead.

From Glasgow, Prof Anton Muscatelli, principal of Glasgow University and senior advisor to the Scottish Government, will give us his in-depth knowledge of an extensive range of economic and European issues. The university has been Britain’s biggest HE participant in the scheme.

From Cardiff, Hywel Ceri Jones, former European Commission director for education, who led the design and implementation of Erasmus and became director general for employment, social policy and industrial relations, will give a Welsh and European perspective.

From Glasgow, Rachel Sandison, vice principal, external relations, Glasgow University, will offer insights into we can best negotiate Scotland’s and Wales’s re-entry to the scheme.

From Glasgow Mary Senior is Scotland’s official of the Universities and Colleges Union since 2009 and has been STUC (Scottish Trades Union Congress ) President since November 2020. Originally from the West Midlands, Mary has two decades of working within the trade union movement in Scotland.

This event is organised in association with the Young European Movement. 

At the end of the webinar, the President, Julius Lajtha, will speak about their campaign on Erasmus.

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Edinburgh Amazon apprentice encourages others to join

Recruitment has started for 25 different apprenticeship schemes ranging from engineering to broadcast production, creative digital design to health, safety and environment technician

Roles include 100 degree-level apprenticeships and more than 500 apprenticeships for Amazon employees, providing an opportunity to retrain and gain new skills

Pay starts at a minimum of £10.80 p/h in the London area and £9.70 p/h in other parts of the UK up to £30,000 a year for degree-level apprenticeships

Amazon created 10,000 new permanent UK jobs in 2020, and now employs more than 40,000 people across the country

Amazon has announced it has started recruiting for over 1,000 full-time apprenticeships in the UK in 2021, covering 25 different programmes ranging from IT, safety technician and HR through to software engineering and creative digital design.

The roles which pay minimum of £10.80 p/h in the London area and £9.70 p/h in other parts of the UK up to £30,000 a year for degree-level apprenticeships include 100 degree-level apprenticeships in automation engineering, project management, software development and chartered management.

Over 500 new apprenticeships will be offered to Amazon’s existing workforce, providing opportunities to retrain and gain new skills leading to an exciting new career path. Apprenticeships exclusively for Amazon employees range from a team leader through to a coaching practitioner.

In addition to being fully-funded, apprentices also receive a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals and an employee discount – which combined are worth more than £700 annually – as well as a company pension plan.  

Apprentice programmes last between 14 months and four years and a typical apprenticeship combines theoretical learning with hands-on training, enabling participants to obtain qualifications and degrees and earn money in the process. 

Once qualified, apprentices will have the potential to work across Amazon’s UK sites including fulfilment centres, delivery stations, sortation centres and the company’s UK head offices in London and Manchester and the three development centres in Edinburgh, Cambridge and London.

The 1,000 apprenticeships add to Amazon’s continued commitment to creating jobs and opportunities to learn new skills across the UK. Amazon created 10,000 new permanent jobs in the UK in 2020 alone, and employs more than 40,000 people in some of the most advanced workplaces of their kind in the world with competitive pay, processes and systems to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all employees.

Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Gillian Keegan, said: “It’s fantastic to see Amazon continuing to invest in apprentices. These apprenticeships cover a range of exciting roles from broadcast production to engineering, showcasing the huge variety of opportunities available to young people looking to build a great career.

“I know first-hand the life changing opportunities an apprenticeship can bring. I wish all those who apply the best of luck and thank Amazon for their ongoing commitment to building skills and talent both for today and in the future.”

 “We are proud to be creating new opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds across the UK to gain skills through our apprenticeship programmes in 25 different fields, from logistics to robotics,” said, John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon.

“An Amazon apprenticeship offers an exciting career path, creating opportunities within our local communities across the UK and helping our own employees retrain and gain new skills at a time when investing in people and jobs has never been more important.”

Hal Stanfield (25), IT apprentice based in the Networking and Project Management team at the Amazon Development Centre in Edinburgh.

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Hal left school and joined Amazon’s customer service scheme. Through the Amazon Career Choice Programme, Hal was able to develop his burgeoning interest in IT and embarked on a part-time college course in computing with on-the-job training through the IT apprenticeship. 

Hal said: “I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise, and Amazon made it really convenient to re-train myself. It’s been great for my confidence, I’m now so much more skilled and engaged in my role.

“This apprenticeship has been one of the best work decisions I’ve ever made. In my role I get to talk to people in all areas of the business, and that’s something I really enjoy. There’s also a strong community in the apprenticeship programme that has developed through group activities and chats, despite the pandemic.”

The 1,000 new apprentices will join current apprentices already working at Amazon. The current Amazon apprenticeship schemes have attracted recruits from a range of different backgrounds from a former barista, footballer and photographer, to former military veterans and nurses.

Throughout the last year, people have also joined Amazon from construction, customer services, health care, hospitality and sales industries.

Amazon also offers employees Career Choice, an innovative programme which pre-pays 95% of tuition for courses in high-demand fields, up to £8,000 over four years, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon.

Amazon provides opportunities to improve existing skills or learn new ones through internal career progression opportunities such as cross-training, transferring to a different department and promotion into a managerial role.

Amazon has invested over £23 billion in the UK since 2010 to provide convenience, selection and value to UK consumers, while supporting tens of thousands of businesses and creative professionals including small businesses selling on Amazon’s online stores, Amazon Web Services developers and Kindle Direct Publishing authors. 

Applications are now open for Amazon’s apprenticeship programme. For more information, visit: www.amazonapprenticeships.co.uk

Community testing to be increased

Scotland’s next community testing site for people without COVID-19 symptoms will open in Cowdenbeath, Fife next Wednesday (10 February).

The centre will open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and initially, from 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Four more sites in different areas across Fife will open in the coming weeks.

The sites will provide lateral flow testing, followed by a confirmatory PCR test if the first result is positive.

Lateral flow tests detect active infections, with results in minutes. They are a cheap technology and could be a useful tool to identify people with asymptomatic infections who would not otherwise be detected.

Dedicated support will be available on-site for anyone who needs help to self-isolate as a result, including advice on how to access financial support and food packages.

The Fife site is the first to open since asymptomatic testing was successfully trialled in Johnstone in December.

Further proposals for Ayrshire & Arran, Dumfries & Galloway, Greater Glasgow & Clyde, and Grampian have been agreed, and discussions are underway with a number of other boards and local authorities for agreement in the coming days. 

Community testing has continued in the meantime with MTUs deployed since 18 January to provide testing for people with and without symptoms in the following communities: Maybole, Grangemouth, Langholm, West Linton, Sauchie, Denny, and Hawick. Data on the number of people tested and positivity rates at these sites will be published by Public Health Scotland next Wednesday .

Public Health Minister Mairi Gougeon said: “Increased testing in this way will help us find and isolate more cases, by targeting resources with communities where there is high prevalence, helping us to identify more cases of the virus and giving us all a better chance of stopping it from spreading.

“However, a test only tells us if we are positive at the point in time that we are being tested.  It does not mean that we can stop following all of the rules and guidelines which are in place to protect all of us. Testing is only one layer of protection against this virus – all others, including vaccination and the FACTS guidance work to greatest effect when they work together, so it is essential people continue to follow the restrictions currently in place to suppress COVID to the lowest possible level in Scotland.

“This expansion has been made possible as our testing capacity has increased but it could not have happened without the support of our local partners, and everyone involved in Scotland’s testing programme, from diagnostic staff to sample takers, and I want to pay tribute to each and every one of you as we continue to work to suppress this virus together.”

Further information and updates on the Fife Community Testing programme is available at nhsfife.org/communitytesting

Community Police to launch Beat Hunger campaign

North East Edinburgh Community Policing Team will be launching the ‘Beat Hunger’ campaign in the coming weeks aimed at tackling food inequality and food poverty in the area.

Sergeant Elaine McArthur-Kerr, from Leith Community Policing Team said: “The Beat Hunger campaign will initially be open to identified groups within the foodbank community who will receive additional support to their foodbank emergency food boxes.

“We are building on positive relationships that exist between the police and the wider community for this project which has been funded by Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr’s Local Partnership and Initiative fund.

“Police Scotland is committed to working with communities and protecting those who are vulnerable. Our aim is to adopt a joint approach with our partners who are participating in the campaign, to help improve physical and mental health while positively promoting healthy eating and assisting with lifelong learning.

“Additional support supplied in the ‘Beat Box’ by police will include a recipe book by Edinburgh-born Michelin star chef Martin Wishart from local ‘Restaurant Martin Wishart’ containing simple nutritious meals cooked using basic utensils with step-by-step instructions.”

The recipes will accommodate those with no cookery skills & provide activity for those with families. The book also includes tips on food management and budgetting. In addition, the recipe book will contain signposting to additional support, such as mental health and family support.

There will be a selection of basic cookery utensils and fresh nutritious ingredients to supplement long life items typically issued by foodbanks and items typically found within the household.

Keep an eye on Edinburgh Police social media for updates on the #BeatHunger campaign.

City tranport transport projects to benefit from national investment

Edinburgh’s ‘pioneering approach’ to delivering sustainable, accessible transport connections has been recognised under national plans for investment.

Accelerating economic recovery and laying the groundwork for an inclusive, greener transport network will be at the heart of future transport investment in Scotland.

The second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) will help to deliver the vision, priorities and outcomes for transport set out in the National Transport Strategy (NTS2).  Phase One has been published which, together with conclusion of Phase Two in autumn this year, will set out Scottish Government’s investment priorities for the next 20 years. 

Phase One recommendations for national investment priorities in the short-term include:  

  • Supporting smart and sustainable travel across Scotland, with development of active freeways and expansion of 20mph zones
  • Improving public transport, with reallocation of road space for buses and improved accessibility at train stations
  • Supporting the transition to low carbon transport, with investment in alternative fuels and progression of decarbonisation of rail
  • Enabling larger loads to be carried by our railway network, encouraging freight to shift from road to rail transport.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said: “As we continue to navigate our way through an unprecedented global health emergency, the investment decisions we make have never been so important.

“We want to lock in the changes to the healthy, green travel options we’ve seen during the pandemic, while supporting interventions that will aid and help accelerate economic recovery.

“We are conducting a thorough, evidence-based review of the performance of Scotland’s strategic transport network across active travel, bus, ferry, rail and the trunk road network and my thanks go to everyone who is engaged in that process, particularly our Regional Transport Working Groups.

“Phase One sets out some of our transport investment priorities for the next few years, which will support a fair and sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic, while working towards our longer term goals of making Scotland more accessible for residents, visitors and businesses; improving connectivity and highlighting the vital contribution that transport investment can play in enabling and sustaining Scotland’s economic growth.

“STPR2 will help us to deliver the vision, priorities and outcomes set out in our National Transport Strategy as well as aligning with other important national plans such as the Climate Change Plan, Infrastructure Investment Plan and National Planning Framework.”

Recommendations for national investment priorities in phase one of Transport Scotland’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) focus on the country’s economic recovery and providing an inclusive, green transport network.

Amongst priorities for spending are the extension of Edinburgh’s Mass Rapid Transit system, including the tram network, and its potential to support the region’s economic growth and carbon-neutral ambitions by providing an attractive travel choice between the city and satellite locations.

Under recommendations, spending on public transport prioritisation measures, reallocating more road space to cycling and walking and the redevelopment of Waverley Rail Station would also be progressed.

The review also highlights the success of Edinburgh’s 20mph roll-out, following which road traffic collisions have been seen to fall in the Capital, and commits to supporting other local authorities to follow suit. 

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “The need to invest in sustainable and accessible transport is essential for our city’s green recovery from the COVID crisis, and to meet our long term goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. 
 
“This report acknowledges the central role clean, integrated transport will play in the city and region’s economic development, improving the environment and progressing social equality amongst the people who live here.
 
“Amongst the schemes highlighted, the progress of mass rapid transit is key to our forthcoming City Mobility Plan, supporting people to make convenient, sustainable transport choices as well as connecting to areas of future growth.

“Support in this Scottish Government report for reallocation of road space for walking and cycling, expanding on work through our Spaces for People project, City Centre Transformation and our ongoing, ambitious active travel programme, will help us create a truly people-friendly city.
 
“I’m very pleased that STPR2 recognises and builds on the importance of these strategic projects, as well as highlighting the effectiveness of our 20mph roll-out, and will be of great support as we work towards a greener, fairer future.” 

Transport Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “We’re already focusing on a great many schemes to support sustainable transport, from measures to prioritise public transport and investing in Trams to Newhaven to major cycling and walking improvements around the Capital.
 
“The themes and recommendations within this report very much reflect and bolster our own aspirations to encourage modal shift away from private car journeys, responding to the climate emergency, minimising air pollution and supporting healthy lifestyles.

“We look forward to working with Transport Scotland to progress the recommendations, to the benefit of the city.”

Find out more about the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) on Transport Scotland’s website.

Entrepreneurs in Residence to share their expertise with staff and students

Double appointment under Royal Society scheme will reinforce Napier University’s enterprise culture

Edinburgh Napier University has announced two Entrepreneur in Residence appointments through The Royal Society-funded programme aimed at helping UK academic institutions turn world-leading research and ideas into commercial impact and success.

The newly appointed Entrepreneurs in Residence will spend 20 per cent of their time over a 12-month period with the university, sharing their experiences and helping to mentor, inspire and support students and academics with entrepreneurial goals and ideas.

The entrepreneurs appointed at Edinburgh Napier are Dr Jamie Graves and Robert Goodfellow. The University of Dundee, with one place, is the only other institution in Scotland represented on the newly published list of 16 entrepreneurs awarded a place on the scheme for 2021.

Dr Jamie Graves, who started his career as a research fellow in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Computing and went on to found and develop multi-award winning cyber security start-up ZoneFox, will bring his experiences of developing intellectual property to commercial impact to the School of Computing.

Jamie said: “The purpose of this EIR project is to aid Edinburgh Napier in its ambitions to replicate existing spin-out and commercialisation success in its Centre of Cyber Systems & Cryptography. The work will promote and emulate this success across the School of Computing.

“The project will aim to build a sustainable pipeline of entrepreneurs across all academic cohorts via a series of awareness and training events in order to increase commercial activity. 

“Edinburgh Napier was the launch pad for me and my future successes so to be coming back as an Entrepreneur in Residence is really exciting and a great honour. I’m looking forward to being able to bring back some of the lessons I learned during my journey but also learning more during this new experience.”

Robert Goodfellow, previously Head of Enterprise & Business Development at Heriot-Watt University, will be working closely with the School of Applied Sciences to pass on his knowledge and help with entrepreneurial development.

Robert said: “The Edinburgh Napier Applied Sciences Commercialisation and Entrepreneurism Training project (NASCENT) will identify and commercialise health and wellbeing intellectual property rights, develop new staff and student entrepreneurs and build a lasting ‘commercial culture’ across the three campuses.”

Commenting on the appointments, Fiona Mason, Head of Business Engagement and IP Commercialisation, said: “We are thrilled by the Royal Society’s support for the appointment of these two Entrepreneur in Residence posts.

“They will bring invaluable insight and experience to the university to the benefit of our staff and students.

 “We are honoured to work alongside two such stellar and seasoned entrepreneurs and look forward to develop with them a successful programme for the future.”

Nick Fannin, Head of Enterprise at Edinburgh Napier’s Bright Red Triangle, who have helped support over 400 student start-ups, added: “We are really excited to be working with Jamie and Robert as Entrepreneurs in Residence this year.

“Their knowledge and experience will not only energise and inspire entrepreneurial activity across the university but also help our spin-outs and start-ups to take their businesses to the next level.”

Venture Trust and Arc’teryx partnership connects people to the transforming power of nature

Scottish charity Venture Trust is partnering with global design and outdoor equipment company Arc’teryx to deliver improved mental, emotional and physical health for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people through the power of the outdoors. 

Arc’teryx’s Outer Peace initiative centers around the benefits of nature, and how being immersed in it can have measurable, long-lasting impacts on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The $CA1 million commitment will support partners working to remove barriers and protect nature, so everybody – including those traditionally excluded – can access and benefit from spending time in nature.

Venture Trust has been making the outdoors accessible to disadvantaged groups in Scotland for more than 35 years as part of the organisation’s proven programmes of personal development.

Their work in the outdoors and wild areas creates time and space away for development and learning.  Individuals explore how different choices and behaviours can help meet their needs in a positive way. This aligns closely with Arc’teryx’ values and their belief in the transformative power of nature.  

The global pandemic and lockdown restrictions have made us realise how important the outdoors and being out in the nature can be for mental, emotional, and physical health. Looking ahead to the end of the current lockdown in Scotland, Venture Trust is ready to support people to make positive changes through funding from the Outer Peace initiative.

With this investment Venture Trust will be able to support more people to improve mental health and wellbeing by connecting to and benefiting from Scotland’s natural environments. The organisation will work with 120 disadvantaged young people through Venture Trust’s new Outdoor Therapy counselling service. Additionally, over 300 young people and adults will benefit from enhanced outdoor work throughout core programmes nationally.

Venture Trust Clinical Manager Andy Hardie said the organisation was delighted to be partnering with Arc’teryx: “The Outer Peace campaign aligns closely with our ethos at Venture Trust – how meaningful connection with nature and time spent outdoors supports positive mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

“Arc’teryx’ approach to partnership goes beyond just a donation. They have invested time in understanding what we do, what the impact of their support means, in sharing information and making useful connections, and in developing mutually beneficial solutions.”

Dan Walker, Social Impact Lead at Arc’teryx Equipment, said: “Arc’teryx was founded upon a desire to connect people with the outdoors. As advocates for the transformative power of nature we seek to collaborate with those who share our purpose.

“Venture Trust is an invaluable partner in this work.  Applying a thoughtful and diligent approach, Venture Trust has been able to inspire many wonderful stories of personal growth through connection to nature. We’re proud to be considered a partner in their journey.”

*Name has been changed.

Charities come together to launch Scottish Walking Awards

Scotland’s leading walking charities have launched a new National Award to celebrate the people, organisations and communities who are supporting others to enjoy an active lifestyle.  

The first-ever Scottish Walking Awards will showcase a broad range of inspiring walking projects – from businesses, councils, land managers and housing associations to the journalists, staff and local volunteers who inspire others to step out. 

The Scottish Walking Awards features ten categories celebrating a wide range of contributions to getting people moving more in Scotland – as well as an overall Champion of Champions.  

The awards are being organised by Ramblers Scotland, Paths for All and Living Streets Scotland, in conjunction with the National Walking Strategy Delivery Forum.  

Nominations are encouraged from all regions of Scotland and all sections of society, including projects supporting people who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Anyone can make a nomination using a simple online form before the deadline on 31 March, and winners will be selected by an expert judging panel in April. 

Mairi Gougeon, Health and Sport Minister said: “Over the past year we have seen how important walking and wheeling is to the people of Scotland. With thanks to the many inspiring projects within our communities, people have rediscovered their local areas while keeping active during challenging times.

“I’m pleased to support Ramblers Scotland, Paths for All and Living Streets Scotland with the first Scottish Walking Awards to celebrate the people and places that are helping us to keep walking and enjoy the benefits of being active.”  

Stuart Hay, Director, Living Streets Scotland said: “Over the last twelve months we’ve seen people walking more and starting new projects in their communities to help everyone stay active. We want to celebrate these projects and the vitally important role of walking for health, wellbeing, and essential everyday journeys. 

“This is particularly important in light of the impact of Covid, and leading up to COP26 later this year. Scotland can lead the way in celebrating everyday walking and we’re looking forward to celebrating all the fantastic work that’s going on all over the country.” 

Brendan Paddy, Director, Ramblers Scotland said: “Walking has the power to help create a healthier and happier nation, particularly as we respond to the urgent Covid and climate crises. 

“There’s never been a better time to showcase the amazing communities and projects whose tireless work is opening the way for more people to enjoy the many benefits of walking.” 

Ian Findlay, Chief Officer, Paths for All said:  “I would encourage all walking and wheeling projects to make nominations in the Scottish Walking Awards 2021. Collectively, we can showcase the transformative role walking plays in reducing health inequalities, lowering carbon emissions, and improving the environment. 

“The ability to get out walking during the current lockdown is proving to be a life saver for many people’s mental wellbeing, social connections, and physical health, including my own. 

“I want more people to benefit from an improved walking and wheeling environment. For that to happen, we need to demonstrate the outstanding work that is currently taking place.” 

Edinburgh residents urged to have their say on Women and Employment post-COVID-19

The First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG) is calling on residents in Edinburgh to share their views on gender equality issues in relation to Women and Employment post COVID-19.

Progression and opportunities for women in the workplace has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Pay cuts, furlough and redundancies are just some of the employment issues that have stemmed from COVID-19, while other women have struggled to balance work  and caring  commitments within the pandemic restrictions. 

The Advisory Council wants to shine a spotlight on the impact that women in different sectors are facing as a result of COVID-19 and their perspectives on the recovery.

The NACWG was formed to support the drive for an equal society for women and girls in every community across Scotland by raising the issue of gender inequality. Focusing on a new Spotlight theme on a bi-monthly basis, the Advisory Council encourages people to share ideas and opinions on different gender equality issues.

Louise Macdonald OBE, Co-Chair of The NACWG, said: “Despite some progress in  narrowing the gender gap, the COVID-19 pandemic has  dialled back some of that progress and also created new barriers for women in relation to employment. It’s vital  that women are  at the forefront of the employment recovery to prevent longer term implications for gender equality and for society as a whole.

“The Advisory Council is inviting groups, organisations and networks in Edinburgh, to share their experiences, opinions and ideas around the Spotlight. Every bit of feedback will help us gather more insight and help drive action in creating long-lasting change for women and girls in Scotland.”

To participate in this national conversation, groups, organisations and networks are encouraged to form a virtual Wee Circle to discuss issues surrounding inequalities in employment post COVID-19 and share ideas on how this can be tackled. 

Feedback from these Wee Circle discussions, as well as individual feedback, can be submitted online at onescotland.org/NACWG

Thoughts can also be shared on social media using the hashtag #GenerationEqual.

New board appointments at Edinburgh Leisure

The charity Edinburgh Leisure, which runs over 50 sports and leisure facilities and a myriad of projects to support the citizens of Edinburgh to enjoy active and healthy lives, has made some new board appointments, effective from January 2021.

Scott Haldane has been appointed as Edinburgh Leisure’s new Chairperson, taking over from David Milne, who is stepping down after two terms (six years). Jackie Moran has been appointed as Vice Chair.

Scott Haldane has served on the Edinburgh Leisure Board for eight years and previously held the position of Vice Chair, and also chair of the Strategy and Financial Planning Committee. Jackie Moran has been on the Board for six years, chairing the Audit and Risk Committee.

David Milne, who relinquished his position as Chair earlier this month said:  “As someone with a passion for sport and the benefits it can bring to so many people, I have been honoured to have held the position of Chair of Edinburgh Leisure for the last six years.

“I have enjoyed meeting many members of staff over the years, visiting the venues, and seeing the positive impact that Edinburgh Leisure has had on the health of so many people of all ages and stages.

“Covid-19 has changed all our lives but I have been proud of the way that the organisation, and more importantly its key asset – its staff – has weathered the storm, pulling together despite the uncertainties and the ever-changing environment, to re-open venues and services, creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, and healthy lives.”

Commenting on his appointment, Scott Haldane (above) said: “Having been a member of the Edinburgh Leisure Board for the last eight years, I feel privileged to be asked to extend my contribution in the capacity as Chair.

“My goal will be to build on the excellent work of my predecessors to further enhance Edinburgh Leisure’s role in supporting and promoting the health and wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh.”

On her appointment, Jackie Moran said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as Vice Chair of Edinburgh Leisure. I look forward to working with the board and the leadership team in my new role.

June Peebles, CEO Edinburgh Leisure, said:  “A key element of Edinburgh Leisure’s governance is having a non-executive Board of Directors, who have the collective responsibility of directing Edinburgh Leisure, ensuring we operate in accordance with our Memorandum and Articles of Association and meet all our legal responsibilities. 

“The Board give their time and expertise on a voluntary basis to support the Strategic Leadership Team in leading the organisation.

“We’re fortunate to have a strong Board of Directors, who come from a variety of industries, business and specialisms and who willingly give of their time and expertise, scrutinising our work to ensure we deliver on our vision and objectives.

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to David for his professionalism, advice and enthusiasm over the years and in particular, the support and commitment he has given to me and Edinburgh Leisure, in what has been the most challenging year for everyone.”