Women in leadership at Shetland Islands Council

Cllr Emma Macdonald (Leader)

Emma Macdonald is political leader for Shetland Islands Council. Emma joined the Council in 2017 as member for Shetland North, becoming deputy leader a year later. During her first term as councillor she also chaired the integration joint board. In 2022, she was re-elected and appointed Leader, also taking on membership of the Health Board for the Council. In 2024, she won LGIU’s Cllr Award for Leader of the Year. Outside of her political career Emma previously ran and owned a coffee shop for 10 years.

What influenced you to pursue a career in local government?

I stood for council because I felt it was really important that people making decisions reflected the community and at that time I didn’t feel the make up of the council did that. The council had a much higher proportion of men than women and also a slighter older demographic. I was keen to learn from the more experienced members of the council and interested in the broad range of services that the council have responsibility for.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership positions in local government?

I think it is really important to maintain the things that make you who you are. My style and approach to politics and leadership is to work collaboratively and positively. There have been times when people have challenged this approach but I think it is vital that you are authentic in your style and this comes across as a much more effective position than adopting something that isn’t natural to you.

How can local government better support and promote female leadership and women working in councils?

I think there are many examples of excellent female leadership in local government and women working in councils. I think here in Shetland we are incredibly fortunate that we have some exceptional female senior leaders in the council, our Chief Executive Maggie Sandison, our Director of Education and Families Sam Flaws, our Director of Community Health and Social Care Jo Robinson and our Director of Corporate Service’s Christine Ferguson. Across councils in Scotland there are a number of fantastic female council leaders, so I think that we are showing that there are roles for women in these senior positions and that we can excel at them.

What is one thing you are most proud of in your career to date?

It is really difficult to answer the one thing I am most proud of because I tend to think of the achievements as being those that the council achieves collectively. If I was just to think of one that was personal to me I guess it would be appropriate to mention receiving the LGIU Cllr Award last November for Leader of the Year. You can only be a good leader if you have good people around you so I am very thankful for the fantastic support I have from officers and fellow elected members.

Cllr Andrea Manson (Convenor)

Andrea Manson is Convenor for Shetland Islands Council. Andrea first joined the Council in 1983 when she won her seat at a by-election. She has since served several more terms and following re-election to Shetland North in 2022 was also elected as the Shetland Islands Council’s first female Convenor.

What influenced you to pursue a career in local government?

I first stood for the council and won my seat in 1983 at a by-election – I felt I could represent my community as I was aware of all the issues locally being heavily involved in local charity work.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership positions in local government?

If you have the time to commit and want to be at the forefront of making Shetland a better place to live and work don’t be afraid to give it a go!

How can local government better support and promote female leadership and women working in councils?

I think better pay for councillors could help towards childcare. It’s easier to contribute from home these days as there is the availability of programmes like Microsoft Teams. The meeting times in the morning are fine for mothers with kids at school.

What is one thing you are most proud of in your career to date?

Being elected as Convenor with Emma as Leader and Maggie as our Chief Executive was a proud day.

Maggie Sandison – Chief Executive

Maggie Sandison is Chief Executive for Shetland Islands Council. Maggie joined the Council in 2004, first leading the environmental health team, before expanding her remit to include trading standards. She was appointed Director for Infrastructure in 2013, before taking up the post of Chief Executive in 2018.

What influenced you to pursue a career in local government?

I spent a week on work experience at Maidstone Borough Council’s Environmental Health team. I enjoyed the variety of work and being out of the office a lot. What really inspired me was carrying out final inspections on disabled adaptation grants. Seeing and hearing the positive difference the Council made to people’s lives when they were able to be independent and confident again after the installation of a stairlift or a level access shower.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership positions in local government?

Consistently make decisions that are in line with your values. Worry less about what other people think. Be more confident – you know more and are capable of more than you think. Treat yourself kindly and to forgive the mistakes that you make.

How can local government better support and promote female leadership and women working in councils?

It is essential that we ensure our workplaces have flexible working practices that recognise the realities of people’s lives to foster acceptance of the need to balance work with parenting and caring responsibilities. Men and women in positions of influence need to spot and nurture women’s talent. Women are often less confident about their capability, so they do not apply or demonstrate interest in advancement unless encouraged or persuaded by peers and mentors so we must be proactive to encourage women to apply and advance. Readiness for leadership is a state of mind.

What is one thing you are most proud of in your career to date?

There are so many things to be proud of in my career in local government – the people, the connections, the problems to fix, the opportunity to give back, and the ability to grow and serve. I would have to choose being a mentor to the young women I have worked with throughout my career – it has been an honour and a privilege to nurture their confidence, inspire their personal growth and leadership, and create the safe spaces to explore their potential.

Christine Ferguson – Director of Corporate Services

Christine Ferguson is Director of Corporate Services for Shetland Islands Council. Christine joined the council in 1986 and has worked in a number of areas, including corporate services, social work and community care, before taking on the role of director in 2012. Prior to this she worked in ICT at Manchester City Council.

What influenced you to pursue a career in local government?

The opportunity to contribute to the delivery of excellent services and support for everyone living in our local communities.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership positions in local government?

To focus on outcomes for people through collaboration; to network like mad and give everyone a “good listening to”!

How can local government better support and promote female leadership and women working in councils?

I would like to live in a world where there are no labels; that everyone is supported equitably according to their individual needs and I would like to see local government leading the way by not categorising or defining people by their personal characteristics and that they are valued for their talents; to see and engage with the person as a unique individual.

What is one thing you are most proud of in your career to date?

That would have to be the people that I have supported, coached or mentored who have gone on to flourish in the career of their choice, whether it is to continue in local government or to go on to something new and different.

Jo Robinson – Director of Community Health and Social Care

Jo Robinson is director of Community Health and Social Care for Shetland Islands Council and Chief Officer for the Shetland Health and Care Partnership. Jo is an Occupational Therapist, who worked in a mental health setting prior to moving to Shetland. After her move Jo worked as a Community Occupational Therapist for several years, before becoming team leader, then executive manager. In 2012 she took on the other Allied Health Professions, becoming Depute Director of Community Health and Social Care for three years. Jo was formally appointed in her current position in 2024, after taking up the post on an interim basis in 2023.

What influenced you to pursue a career in local government?

As an Occupational Therapist I had the opportunity to work in either the NHS or local government. I started my career in the NHS but was then attracted by a community post within local authority. So it was the context of the job that attracted me rather than the desire to specifically work in local government.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership positions in local government?

Try to gain an understanding of how local government works – if you understand that and how to navigate the system then it easier to understand how your leadership skills can help to effect change.

How can local government better support and promote female leadership and women working in councils?

I feel very well supported by this local authority. Access to specific leadership training is vital.

What is one thing you are most proud of in your career to date?

Furthering the cause of health and social care integration in Shetland.

Samantha Flaws – Director of Children’s Services

Samantha Flaws is Director of Children’s Services for Shetland Islands Council. Samantha joined Shetland Islands Council 2012, taking up post as a classroom teacher on the Island of Bressay. Since then she has worked in a variety of roles, including Head Teacher, Quality Improvement Officer for Early Years, Executive Manager for Early Years, and most recently Executive Manager for Education and Learning, before taking up the post of Director in 2024. Prior to joining the classroom, she also worked in sports development and children’s activity in Dundee and the Tayside region.

What influenced you to pursue a career in local government?

Working in local government is all that I have known. Within my career I have been fortunate to work in a couple of different sectors which has provided me with a broader insight.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership positions in local government?

Stay true to yourself, work hard and don’t be afraid to be the only female round the table. What you bring is important.

How can local government better support and promote female leadership and women working in councils?

It would be really good to see more female elected members.

What is one thing you are most proud of in your career to date?

The fact that I have achieved what I have.