New board members for MG ALBA

Ofcom has today announced appointments to the board of MG ALBA, the body responsible for funding Gaelic-language TV programmes in Scotland.

Two new members have been appointed with terms running for four years effective from 1 May 2014.

The appointments were approved by the UK Government's Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. This followed an independent appointment and selection process undertaken by Ofcom in Scotland.

The new members replace Donald MacInnes and Donald Martin whose terms as board members ended on 31 March 2014. They are:

Catriona MacPhee

Catriona MacPhee was nominated for appointment by BBC Scotland. Catriona is a freelance broadcaster, working as a presenter on Gaelic programmes and is concurrently studying for an honours degree in Gaelic and Scottish History. She has a Diploma in Gaelic Television from the Gaelic College on Skye and has been a researcher for Radio nan Gaidheal.

Donald Macaulay

Donald (Donnie) Macaulay was nominated for appointment by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Donnie is Director of Regional Infrastructure with HIE. He has a strong background in economic development, having previously been Regional Director with HIE and before that, Chief Executive of Western Isles Enterprise.

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael, said:

I would like to congratulate Donald and Catriona on their appointments to the board of MG ALBA. I am sure that their respective strengths, knowledge and passion for the Gaelic language and the Highlands and Islands will serve the organisation well.

Thanks to MG ALBA, working in partnership with the BBC, Gaelic broadcasting is a modern success story. Both governments of Scotland stand behind MG ALBA to ensure that today's and future generations of Gaelic speakers across Scotland continue to have access to the high quality broadcasting in the Gaelic language to which they have become accustomed.

Alasdair Allan, Minister for Scotland's Languages, said:

I am very pleased to welcome these new board members and would like to wish them well as they take up their new appointments. MG ALBA has a key role to play in the promotion of Gaelic in Scotland and since 2008 it has added significant value to many areas of Gaelic development and made an important contribution to broadcasting. Our aim is to see an increase in people learning, using and speaking Gaelic in Scotland and the work of MG ALBA is central to this.

Maggie Cunningham, Chair of MG ALBA, said: I am delighted to welcome Catriona and Donald onto the board. They both bring a strong suite of skills which will complement those of other board members. This is an exciting and challenging time for MG ALBA. It is clear that BBC ALBA is a great success with viewers and our strategic direction must be visionary to ensure that what we offer the Gaelic community and the rest of Scotland continues to be relevant and of high quality .

Vicki Nash, Director of Ofcom (Scotland), said: Ofcom was pleased to play its part in leading on the selection process for the two new members who will add valuable skills and experience to the board. We would also like to thank all parties who contributed to a successful outcome.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The functions of MG ALBA are outlined in the Communications Act 2003. They are to secure that a wide and diverse range of high quality programmes in Gaelic are broadcast or otherwise transmitted to people in Scotland.

2. As outlined in the 2003 Communications Act, MG ALBA board members must include:

(a) a member nominated by the BBC; and

(b) a member nominated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

3. These appointments are the result of a recruitment process validated by an independent assessor. The approval of the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Government is required for the appointment of MG ALBA board members and Chairman.

For further information about Ofcom please visit: www.ofcom.org.uk. Ofcom's news releases can be found at: http://media.ofcom.org.uk/

CONTACT

Alan Stewart

Ofcom (Scotland)

0141 229 7402

alan.stewart@ofcom.org.uk

Buill ra air B rd MG ALBA

LINK:	http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2014/04/25/new-board-members-for-mg-alba/...
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