Live Borders New CEO starts in late July
Added at 11:45 on 08 May 2025
[From The Border Telegraph]:
LIVE Borders has announced its new chief executive, Catriona McAllister, who is returning to Scotland after eight years in Jersey, where she is currently head of regulatory improvement for the Government of Jersey.
The news comes amid a major shake-up of Live Borders, following recommendations to close a number of centres across the region, including some in Selkirk.
Ms McAllister said: "I am excited to take on the role of CEO at Live Borders at such a pivotal time for the organisation. The recently published review has highlighted both challenges and opportunities, and I am committed to leading Live Borders through this service transformation programme with clarity, collaboration and ambition. Working closely with staff and engaging with the community, we will navigate this journey together, ensuring that everyone in the Scottish Borders can benefit from a culturally rich and active lifestyle that enhances quality of life."
Ms McAllister initially served seven years as chief executive officer of Jersey Sport, where she led significant change and transformational programmes. Well known on the Scottish sporting scene, she was previously CEO of Oriam, Scotland’s sports performance centre at Heriot-Watt University. Prior to that, she was director of sport and exercise at the university, where she was responsible for the strategic management of university sport and exercise facilities, sports programmes, and clubs.
Ms McAllister has worked extensively in service-led sport and leisure organisations, with expertise in setting and implementing strategic direction, complemented by her strong financial management skills. In her role with Jersey Sport, she authored the Inspiring and Active Jersey Strategy, implementing a whole systems approach to sport and active living. She also achieved significant business growth for Jersey Sport, doubling the charity's funding in four years and securing charitable status.
The challenging role will include a public consultation on proposed repurposing of Live Borders-managed assets, possibly including consolidation or, in some cases, closure. In Selkirk these include Scott's Courtroom, Halliwell's House Museum, the Library, the Leisure Centre and Victoria Park caravan site. Leader of Scottish Borders Council, Cllr Euan Jardine, has said,"This is not about services closing. It is about how and where they are delivered, and by whom.
Direct engagement and consultation with our communities...is on the horizon, and I'd urge communities to start to consider their thoughts and ideas so that we can work together to shape the future of services and facilities."
To put this in a financial context, Scottish Borders Council are committing to paying a yearly 'management fee' fo £4 million to Live Borders. This is in effect the differnce between income and costs of running LB assets, including staff costs, heating, repairs and costs such as marketing and managing subscriptions. The most recent year saw this increase to £7 million, which SBC say is not sustainable. They are still committed to support at the level of £4m, however. 116,000 people live in the Scottish Borders, across some 60+ towns and villages.