New Board Member

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) would like to welcome a new member to its Board.

Minister for Environment Roseanna Cunningham has announced the appointment of Professor Gordon Riddler who lives in Ballater and is a Geologist and Chartered Engineer. He is Chairman of the Board of Ballater (RD) Ltd (BRD), a voluntary sector Development Trust.

Professor Riddler brings expert knowledge of research and development relating to natural resources and business management with specialised knowledge in corporate strategy and experience in fundraising in the private and public sector.

Gordon Riddler said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity. I have enjoyed the wild and remote nature of the area covered by the Cairngorms National Park since my schooldays in Aberdeen and I look forward to making a constructive contribution to its future.”

Professor Riddler’s appointment fills the vacancy on the Board which arose when David Paterson OBE resigned. David was enticed back to China, where he has worked on conservation initiates for over twenty years, by an offer of a Directorship within the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

David Paterson OBE said: “It was a tough decision to tender my resignation from the CNPA and indeed to consider leaving Scotland for what will be a protracted period.

“Scotland and especially the mountains are ultimately where I want to be, but I have more to achieve in my career and my experiences and skill base lead me back to China, at least for the foreseeable future.”

He went on to say: “In my short time on the Board, I have been impressed by the professionalism and commitment of the board members and the staff. They are a great bunch of people, clearly dedicated to the causes of the Cairngorms National Park and they play a hugely important role in the national parks movement in Scotland.

“I was impressed by the warmth and friendliness of the team and by how quickly I was made to feel part of a very special group of people; and this was due in no small part to the skills of the Convenor, David Green and the Chief Executive, Jane Hope. I wish them and their respective teams, every success in the future.”

Professor Gordon Riddler’s appointment is for four years and will run from today, 1 November 2010, to 30 September 2014.