Originally from Shetland, Morag brings extensive experience in project and event management, fundraising, communications, marketing and storytelling. Through her work with organisations including Save the Children and Action Against Hunger, she has managed complex projects, developed funding relationships and created campaigns that bring people together around a shared purpose.
She also understands the realities facing Lerwick’s independent businesses through her involvement with Blyde Welcome and her wider work supporting businesses with marketing, promotion and customer engagement.
For Morag, however, the connection with Lerwick began long before her professional career.
“Growing up in Shetland, The Street was a huge part of my life. Many Saturday afternoons were spent wandering around the shops, getting a special hot chocolate from The Peerie Shop or trying on clothes in Klaize. Those memories may seem like small things, but they are part of what makes a town centre matter. It is not simply somewhere we shop—it is where people meet, stories are shared and memories are made.
I am genuinely delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead Living Lerwick into its next chapter. Lerwick’s businesses give the town so much of its character, and I want Living Lerwick to be an organisation that listens to them, represents them and makes its work and value visible.”
Morag was appointed following a competitive tender and interview process. The Living Lerwick Board was impressed by her strategic approach, strong communication skills, understanding of the town and its businesses, and ideas for securing new income and developing partnerships.
Steve Mathieson, Chair of Living Lerwick, said:
“We are very pleased to welcome Morag as Living Lerwick’s new Project Manager. The Board was impressed by the quality of her proposal, her enthusiasm for Lerwick and the combination of strategic thinking, creativity and practical experience she will bring to the role.
This is an important period for Living Lerwick. Morag demonstrated a clear understanding of both the challenges ahead and the opportunities available to us. We believe she will be a strong and approachable representative for our businesses and an effective advocate for the town centre.”
During the first year of the contract, Morag will work on a hybrid basis, combining regular periods in Shetland with work from London while she completes existing professional commitments there.
Living Lerwick would also like to thank outgoing Project Manager Emma Miller and Joanne Williams for their dedication and considerable contribution over the years. Their knowledge, commitment and hard work have established a strong foundation for the organisation’s next term, including visible improvements to the town centre, promotional activity, events and continued advocacy on behalf of businesses. Morag said:
“Emma and Joanne have put an enormous amount of work into Living Lerwick, often behind the scenes, and I am very grateful for the generous handover they are providing. I want to build on what they have created while listening carefully to businesses about what they need from Living Lerwick now.
Lerwick town centre has a proud past, but this role is also about its future. I am excited to work with its businesses, the Board and the wider community to help create a town centre that feels cared for, confident and unmistakably its own.”
In further changes to the organisation, Ben Mullay has stepped down as a Director. Ben has been on the board since Living Lerwick was established in 2012 and all remaining Directors and staff pass their thanks on to Ben for his commitment. Stepping in to Ben’s place is Michael Craigie, representing High Level Music and Market Cross Music Company Ltd; businesses operated by his son, Konrad.
Any member business may nominate a Director to join the board by emailing [email protected].