Island communities should be involved when CalMac decides its new chief executive, a councillor has declared.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Uisdean Robertson, has called on CalMac to involve a wide audience in the process after Robbie Drummond resigned earlier this month.
Duncan Mackison has been named as CalMac’s interim chief executive. The ex-Royal Marine is a former chief executive of the CalMac Holding Company, David MacBrayne Ltd.
Councillor Robertson says all voices must be taken into account before Mr Drummond’s successor is appointed.
He added: “It is vital island communities are placed at the heart of the decision-making process to appoint a new chief executive. I would encourage CalMac to include a representative from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and equivalent representatives from other islands on the decision-making panel. This will help ensure that decisions are taken with the best interests of the islands in mind.
"It is important CalMac also offers applicants the option to work remotely from an island base to ensure those living in islands have an opportunity to apply for the role.”
In the context of island communities facing real challenges around their ferry services, a statement from CalMac said: "These challenges are likely set to continue until new vessels are introduced to the fleet over the coming years.
"The board wants to strengthen the focus further on operational performance of an aging fleet, resilience and enhanced dialogue and responsiveness with the customers and the communities CalMac serves."
It added: "As a consequence, the board has reviewed the executive leadership of the organisation to ensure that it is best placed to achieve that during some challenging years ahead."
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