Gigha’s Brandon shortlisted for directors award
A Gigha resident who made national headlines last year when he became a director of an organisation with multi-million pound assets aged just 19 has been shortlisted for a national award, writes Fiona Scott.
Brandon Clements, now 20, who joined the board of Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust (IGHT) in 2019, has been nominated for a Young Director Award by the Institute of Directors Scotland (IoD).
He will be up against three other candidates from across Scotland in the award category Director of the Year – Young, which recognises upcoming directors who illustrate excellent entrepreneurial and leadership potential.
Since the Isle of Gigha’s commu‘I nity buyout in 2002, the island’s population has grown to 160 people, reversing a 300-year decline.
IGHT and its subsidiary companies manage the majority of the island’s assets, which is overseen by a board of nine voluntary directors, including Brandon.
His role has been crucial in demonstrating there are opportunities for young people to remain or return to rural areas.
Brandon said: ‘I recognised that to encourage young people to stay on Gigha, their needs had to be voiced. In my day job as a senior marine operative at the Scottish Salmon Company, the skills I have learned by being a director can be put to good use too.’
Ian Wilson, chairman of IGHT, said: ‘Brandon has brought a great deal to the work and thinking of the board. Not only has he dragged us into the 21st century communications-wise, he has also challenged the board to think about what young people want from communities like ours and how we might encourage more young people to live on Gigha. Hopefully Brandon’s work on Gigha and further afield will help find a vibrant future for communities like Gigha’
The trust says Brandon’s determination to represent his peers and to make a positive contribution to the community has helped to address issues and has set a precedent that will leave an impression on the community for years to come.
The awards are due to take place in September 2020.