Cromarty Rising

Last night at the packed Nairn meeting the public were very interested in who actually runs to the Port. It is after all a public asset managed on our behalf.

Well, it has a board of 7 – it used to 6 when established by the 1973 Act of Parliament – with half being appointed on ability or experience and the other half being appointed by the local council as a democratic check and balance. Fast forward to the 2003 revision order and it becomes a board of 7 members appointed by the CFPA itself – yes, thats right, they appoint their own governing body. Board members should be able to demonstrate experience in a range of areas such as finance, environmental matters, management of harbours,shipping, financial management, marketing, law, civil engineering etc. – the full list is in section 4 class 2 of the order.

At this point the port loses it democratic check and balance, it appoints its own board who it is responsible to – what could possibly go wrong?  So, who are the current board? Well you can find full details HERE, but briefly:

Douglas Russell (chair) –  lawyer dealing with the oil industry & ports, active farmer and chair of Albyn Housing

Sandy Cumming CBE (vice-chair) – long and distinguished career with Ross and Cromarty Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Bob Buskie – CEO of CFPA and also director of sub-company Port of Cromarty Firth Services – career in oil industry and communications working at Sun Oil and Sparrows amongst others

Richard Ballantyne – career in the upstream oil and gas sector, including marine/shipping sector. Has Held executive positions on the board of two oil companies (including Sun Oil)

Roger Eddie – business banker working across the Highlands and Islands. He was also Senior Development Manager with Highlands and Islands Enterprise. He is a director of Springfield Properties Ltd. He is also no executive director of Cruise Highlands Ltd along the Richard Fea – port finance manager –  until recently a 50/50 joint venture between CFPA and Bannermans which the port recently publicly pulled out of (presumably to concentrate on phase 4 expansion and therefore not needing their partner’s pier).

Donald MacKenzie – worked as MD of Abermet Ltd. proving medical services primarily to the oil and gas industry.

Angus McMaster – accountant specialising in tax and business advice (also company secretary of sub-company Port of Cromarty Firth Services). Non-executive financial director of the Loch Ness Coffee Company and a non-executive director of Albyn Housing.

Alan Cook – extensive management experience, master mariner in North Sea and Europe with a range of oil industry expedience – formerly marine superintendent at Nigg and currently in the same position at Finnart Oil terminal.

Anything grabbing you? Obviously all very capable men in their fields. Oh yes, thats it, men, they are all white men over 50. I guess they don’t go in for all that new-fangled gender balance stuff – no doubt no women applied for a post. Oh yes, and 4 out 7 have an oil industry connection. Nothing wrong with that – it is 70-80% of the port’s business (CFPA AGM November 2016). Going back to yesterday’s post, do they have too many eggs in the one basket?