A Bafta nominated film and television producer has been appointed to lead the creative industries department at the University of the Highlands and Islands (Uhi).
Professor Robin MacPherson was the producer of the Bafta-nominated drama, The Butterfly Man, and the Scottish Bafta nominated Tree Fellers.
He also founded the Screen Academy Scotland in 2005 and is joining UHI from a post at Edinburgh Napier University.
He will take up his new post as Uhi’s first ever chairman of creative industries and will work from Shetland College.
He will be tasked with enhancing the university’s creative industries activities, including building on links with cultural organisations across the Highlands and island.
The post is being partly funded by Shetland Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Creative Scotland.
A recent study by HIE estimated that the creative industries is worth £300million a year to the Highlands and islands economy and that around 16,000 people are employed in the sector.
Prof MacPherson said: “I’m delighted to be joining Scotland’s newest university, helping it to support the vibrant creative sector both in Shetland and across the Highlands and islands.
“From new course development to partnering in research and knowledge exchange, there are fantastic opportunities for collaboration with the cultural and creative sector and I’m really looking forward to making new connections from Shetland right across the UHI network.”
Professor Clive Mulholland, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said: “We are excited to have appointed Professor MacPherson as our chair of creative industries.
“His expertise is built on a wealth of practical experience and academic research and he is highly regarded in his field.”
Councillor Peter Campbell, chairman of Shetland College Uhi’s board of management, added: “He is highly respected in his field and will prove himself to be a valuable asset to the University of the Highlands and Islands and Shetland College.
“His personal experience will be of benefit to both teaching and research.
“We look forward to welcoming him to Shetland and working with him to build on existing strengths and to develop additional courses in the creative industries.”
