Committee members
Ian McCulloch
Chair
Ian McCulloch: Chair
My career in construction began in 1977 as an apprentice Quantity Surveyor in Glasgow. In 1984 I relocated to the Western Isles to work for CnES as an Assistant QS, later transferring to Contracting, and a five-year period of self-employed Consultancy. In 2005 I joined Western Isles Enterprise, managing their property portfolio and development interests including new build office and workshop units as well as third party Client projects and significant involvement in infrastructure projects including Arnish and the North Uist Spaceport project. I retired in 2020 from my role as Head of Regional Development for Highlands & Islands Enterprise in the Outer Hebrides and thereafter took a part time position with Graham + Sibbald as a Property Manager for a couple of years.
My wife Kathleen and I now spend time attempting to complete the refurbishment of our home in Point. My other interests include hi-fi, re-learning guitar, voluntary work including whale-watching and an increasingly intermittent engagement with cycling and running.
I am keen to support TIG’s objectives to be a part of improving the local housing provision though direct refurbishment and development of appropriately scaled high quality housing provision.
Mairi Steele
Vice Chair
Mairi Steele: Vice Chair
Before retiring and moving back to Scotland and to Carloway in 2016, I spent over 20 years working in senior positions in the Australian Public Service. I gained considerable experience in policy advice (in the areas of industrial relations and gender equality), managing staff and budgets, and implementing programmes.
I am actively involved in Carloway Community Association, including the recent redevelopment of the Carloway Community Centre. In my spare time I enjoy coastal rowing, gardening, and walking.
Matt Bruce
Treasurer
Matt Bruce: Treasurer
Matt Bruce is a retired architect and worked in Glasgow for 10 years predominantly on housing and then a mix of housing and other projects in the Outer Hebrides. A work background of 16 years in the private sector and 19 years for the local authority.
He currently serves on various committees and likes growing things, drawing and working with wood.
Brian Chaplin
Committee Member
Brian Chaplin: Committee Member
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be on the TIG Board for the last eight years. Prior to retirement I managed the Health Promotion department at NHS Western Isles and it became clear to me that good housing and good health are very closely linked and I did an in-depth study of this link focussing on the Cearns area of Stornoway.
Cllr Iain Macleod
Committee Member
Cllr Iain M Macleod: Committee Member
I am currently employed by QinetiQ Ltd at the Hebrides Range as a Logistics Manager and am also an elected Councillor for the Benbecula and North Uist ward.
I am a fluent Gaelic speaker with the ability to communicate clearly across all age ranges and am involved in many Community Councils across the islands.
Having seen the good work carried out by TIG across the islands, I am keen to be able to give something back to a community that I have lived and worked in for most of my adult life and would like to support TIG to continue this good work and promote it further across the islands.
Charlie Nicolson
Committee Member
Charlie Nicolson: Committee Member
Originally from Paisley and raised on the Isle of Lewis from the age of three, I hold a Diploma in Community Education, Guidance, and Counselling from Aberdeen College. Before retiring, I served as a Community Education Officer and Team Leader for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CNES), collaborating with youth groups locally, nationally, and internationally. I also contributed to the Tenant’s Advisory Service Scotland and established several local tenants’ organisations.
I have been honoured with the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to the community. I am a Paul Harris Fellow, recognised by Rotary International, and an Honorary Citizen of Nisporeni, Moldova.
Currently, I serve as President of the Lewis and Harris Football Association, Treasurer of Advocacy Western Isles, and Chair of the Trustees of Eilean Siar Foodbank, among other roles.
Finlay MacLennan
Committee Member
Finlay MacLennan: Committee Member
Finlay has worked in community development over the past 10 years, most recently providing support to the community land sector, with Community Land Outer Hebrides where he was responsible for registering the organisation as a SCIO and managing governance, project development and finances for the charity.
He previously worked for TIG in the Energy Advisory Service providing knowledge and experience of the unique challenges faced in Outer Hebrides in addressing Fuel Poverty and the support provided to clients across all sections of the organisation.
He is currently employed by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the Library Service.
Rona MacKay
Committee Member
Rona MacKay: Committee Member
Rona has worked in Community Energy for over 18 years, providing support to community groups in the Outer Hebrides on energy and community engagement.
She is passionate about community action on fuel poverty, climate change and mental health.
Senior staff
Donna Smith
CEO
Donna Smith: CEO
Donna has worked with TIG in a development role for 15 years, mainly working with Hebridean Housing Partnership assisting with the delivery their new build programme.
Recent projects include development of low cost home ownership, registration as a letting agent and working with community groups and community land estates on their housing or community development projects.
Donna has an honours degree in law and management with diplomas in conveyancing and executory services. She has a diploma in management from the Chartered Institute of Managers and is a Chartered Manager.
Ian Graham
Care and Repair Manager
Ian Graham: Care and Repair Manager
Ian is a Chartered Project Manager who has gained a wide variety of experience through his time as a Joiner, building surveyor, project manager and facilities manager.
In 2019 Ian began working for Tighean Innse Gall as a Senior Surveyor for the Insulation department which was successful in delivering large and small insulation measures in the Western Isles.
Following the restructuring process within TIG, Ian was appointed the Care and Repair Manager in July 2022.
Kirsty MacLeod
Energy Advice Manager
Kirsty MacLeod: Energy Advice Manager
Kirsty has worked with TIG in an energy advice role for over 12 years, initially as Fuel Poverty Officer to now the Energy Advice Manager. Over the years Kirsty has gained extensive knowledge and experience of fuel poverty issues in the Western Isles, working on, and publishing the Fuel Poverty Survey in 2014.
Prior to TIG, Kirsty worked at Galson Estate Trust as a Community Powerdown Officer, identifying ways for the community to save carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, gaining an insight into community land trusts which play a large role in the Western Isles.
Kirsty has worked on many projects over her time at TIG from Sustainable Hebrides, helping householders view their electricity bills and identifying areas where savings could be made in their homes as well as the Renewable Heat Premium Payment which distributed grants to householders for the installation of Renewable heating systems.
Matthew Hebditch
Construction Development Manager
Matthew Hebditch: Construction Development Manager
Matthew has gained extensive experience of the construction industry having previously worked for engineering consultancies, main contractors and large scale surveying companies. Matthew joined TIG in 2016 working in the development service. He has worked as Clients Agent, Employers Agent and Clerk of Works for several housing and community developments across the Western Isles since joining TIG and enjoys assisting Clients with the technical and contractual aspects of their construction projects.
Matthew was promoted to Construction Development Manager in July 2024 taking a managerial role in the development service, managing resources and focusing on the strategic direction of the service ensuring that it remains relevant to the client base.
Matthew has a degree in Construction Management.