Highlife Highland confirms new directors are in place
High Life Highland today confirmed the appointment of four new board members, each bringing a wealth of experience to the charity.
Joining the charity board is Alli Vaas, PowerHouse manager with Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.
To the trading board come Andrew Button, David Ellis and Valerie Graham. All attended their first board meetings last Wednesday.
Inverness resident Alli Vaas brings extensive senior leadership experience to the High Life Highland charity board, as well as a proven track record in all aspects of business improvement including people, culture, process and compliance.
The directors of the High Life Highland charity board are responsible for leading the strategic direction of the organisation, made up of four elected members from The Highland Council and eight independent directors. The board provides extensive experience of public, private and development agency backgrounds complementing the scope of High Life Highland’s work.
Also from Inverness, David Ellis brings his thorough knowledge of the public and leisure sectors and experience in leading on the creation of a leisure trust. Joining him on the trading board is Golspie resident Andrew Button who has an extensive background in the commercial banking and finance sector with considerable experience in organisational strategy and development.
Both David and Andrew are welcomed alongside Valerie Graham, who lives in Ardgay but hails from Invergordon. She brings with her an exceptional array of management and leadership skills, having previously worked as Operations Director for Whitbread PLC.
The directors of High Life Highland’s trading company are responsible for leading the trading activity of the organisation, made up of four directors from the main board and five independent directors, who bring a wealth of commercial experience.
Other changes to the High Life Highland boards have also been confirmed with Michael Boylan, current chair of the High Life Highland trading board, now also sitting on the charity board.
Michael Golding, chair of High Life Highland commented: “We warmly welcome Alli, David, Valerie and Andrew to High Life Highland.
“We look forward to working with them and appreciate their skills and experience. They will be a great asset to both boards and as directors of one of the largest charities in the Highlands, we are responsible for leading the strategic direction of the organisation to ensure that we are meeting the charity’s purpose of Making Life Better for the people of the Highlands.”
Andrew Button said: "I am delighted to be joining the team. It is an exciting period to be involved with the many projects and initiatives underway and, as a relatively new person to the area, I hope I will be able to help in the aim of Making Life Better for the people who live in the Highlands but also the many visitors as well."
Valerie Graham addedL “I am delighted to contribute my experience in hospitality and tourism. Having worked within PLCs, I understand the balance between financial sustainability and delivering meaningful community impact. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to strengthen High Life Highland’s trading activities, ensuring they not only generate revenue but also enhance the cultural, leisure, and tourism offerings that benefit communities across the Highlands.”
Alli Vaas said: “Highlife Highland has just published their business plan for 2025-2030, and I'm genuinely excited to be part of a charity board, whose mission is simply ‘Making Life Better’. We want to ensure we have services and facilities available to encourage future generations to build a good life here in the Highlands and I hope that my role with the charity will help enhance our local offer.”
David Ellis addedL “I'm looking forward to making a contribution to the social, cultural and leisure opportunities in my new home in the Highlands"
