A community company in the Outer Hebrides has appointed a local man to a top post.
Sebastian Paterson, known simply as Ian, is the new chief executive officer of Storas Uibhist and will take up his role on June 26.
Mr Paterson lives on South Uist with his wife Tara and their three children, Hugh, Isobel and Rachel. For the past five years, he has been the general manager of the island’s agricultural supply co-operative, Carnan Stores and works at a croft in West Gerinish.
Storas Uibhist chairman, Angus MacMillan, said: “Ian is a local man who understands the demands of the membership and the community of South Uist, Eriskay and Benbecula.
“We are confident that, in conjunction with a strong board and a dedicated team of staff, he will ensure Storas continues to go from strength to strength and will achieve its goal of retaining population, creating employment and improving opportunities for the community.”
Mr Paterson added: “I will work with the board, all members of the community it represents and the wider network of organisations that have the ability to assist us in achieving our organisational ambitions.”
Storas Uibhist manages 93,000 acres of land, covering almost the whole of the islands of Benbecula, Eriskay and South Uist, as well as a number of other small islands.
The estate is home to more than 850 tenant crofters and numerous businesses in the aquaculture, agriculture, fishing, food processing, construction, tourism and service sectors.