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Bord na Gaidhlig
16/08/2007
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani today announced that Bòrd na Gàidhlig will appoint Kenneth Murray as its new Chief Executive.
Ms Fabiani said:
"I am delighted to approve this appointment and I am confident that in Kenneth Murray Bòrd na Gàidhlig has made a strong selection.
"Kenneth Murray will bring the right combination of skills to lead Bòrd na Gàidhlig and to take forward the implementation of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
"This is a crucial time for the development of Gaelic in Scotland. We have made good progress in key areas of Gaelic development and I am looking forward to working with Kenneth Murray at Bòrd na Gàidhlig to build on this, taking forward the commitments of the National Plan and creating a sustainable future for Gaelic in Scotland."
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop said:
"I welcome this appointment and would like to emphasise that this is a key appointment for Gaelic development in Scotland. Our aim is to create a sustainable and positive future for Gaelic in Scotland and Gaelic education has a vital and necessary contribution to make to this.
"This new Government is keen to make progress in promoting and developing Gaelic education and I will be looking to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for clear advice on these matters as they move forward with the implementation of the National Plan for Gaelic.
"Bòrd na Gàidhlig has a key role in Gaelic education at all levels and I will look forward to working with Matthew MacIver and the members of his Bord and with Kenneth Murray and his team in the months ahead".
Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chairman Matthew MacIver said:
"We are delighted to announce Kenneth Murray as our new Chief Executive. It was vital that we got the right person for this job and I believe Kenneth Murray is that person.
"This is a significant appointment for the Gaelic world. Kenneth Murray is a native Gaelic speaker who has excelled in a variety of public service roles. He is passionate about his language and culture and feels that it is time to offer his skills to the service of promoting and developing Gaelic.
"This is a new face and a new start for the Bòrd. We are all hugely looking forward to working with Kenneth Murray to make real progress in implementing the National Plan for Gaelic over the coming weeks and months."
Mr Murray said:
"I am delighted to be taking up this exciting and challenging post and I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to lead Bòrd na Gàidhlig at this important stage in its development. The commencement of the Gaelic Language Act, the appointment of a new Bòrd and the creation of a National Plan has provided the world of Gaelic with an unparalleled opportunity for growth and positive influence.
"This is an exciting time for Gaelic and, as public bodies now seek to deliver Gaelic Language Plans, I want to ensure that we have appropriate structures in place to ensure that the Bòrd provides the best possible services and support and is able to fulfil its statutory obligations.
"But I am also committed to providing first class services and support to Gaelic speaking communities - to encourage them to work with us to arrest the decline in Gaelic and begin to grow it again. The National Plan for Gaelic will be hugely important in doing this and I look forward to developing a dialogue with speakers and learners and enthusiasts to help our language and culture."
Kenneth Murray, 45, is a native Gaelic speaker is originally from Tong on Lewis and has held various posts throughout his career with the Forestry Commission, most prominently as a Trade Union official. Based in Edinburgh for 26 years, he co-ordinated the Forestry Unions for many years at UK and European levels.
In 2000, he took up post in the Forestry Commission's Central Policy Secretariat, dealing with devolved issues in Scotland and Wales and with reserved issues at Westminster. In 2002, as part of a review of the Forestry Commission's devolution settlement, Mr Murray moved to Forestry Commission Scotland.
He moved to Inverness in 2005 to take up the newly created post of Parliamentary and Cultural Programmes Manager and assumed the role of the Forestry Commission's Gaelic Language Policy Officer as part of his Scotland-wide remit. Mr Murray is married, has a stepson and a daughter and lives in Inverness.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig was established as a company and public funded body in January 2003. Following the passing of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 it was re-established as a statutory body. Allan Campbell was appointed as the first Chief Executive from April 2003 and together with other staff transferred from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the company, to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the statutory body, in February 2006.
The provisions of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 were commenced on 13th February 2006. The 2005 Act established Bòrd na Gàidhlig with a range of functions to promote the use and understanding of Gaelic. The 2005 Act requires the preparation of a National Gaelic Language Plan and Guidance for Public Bodies on Language Planning by the Bòrd, and gives the Bòrd authority to issue notices to selected public bodies requiring the preparation of Gaelic Language Plans.