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What is The Orkney Fund?
The Orkney Fund is a £20 million UK Government investment in Orkney's future, managed locally and driven by what matters most to our communities. We provide both capital and revenue funding to help community groups, charities, and social enterprises bring their ideas to life.
From small local initiatives to larger transformational projects, we support work that creates lasting positive change across our islands.
By the numbers
£20M
Total funding
£370k
Committed so far
10 years
Programme duration
17 projects
Funded to date
How we're run
The Orkney Fund is managed by Orkney Islands Council on behalf of the UK Government's Pride in Place Programme. An independent board of local representatives oversees funding decisions, ensuring investment reaches the projects that will make the greatest difference to life in Orkney.
Chair
Stephen Hagan
Former Convener for Orkney Islands Council, where he served as a councillor from 1994 to 2022 representing the North Isles.
Stephen has extensive experience in local government and community consultation, having led numerous public engagement initiatives across Orkney.
Vice-Chair
Craig Spence
Chief Executive of Orkney Housing Association and Chair of Orkney Charitable Trust.
Craig has a background in business and finance, and has held non-executive positions with various public bodies including NHS Orkney and Highland and Islands Enterprise.
Vice-Chair
Michael Morrison
Michael is a former Business Development Manager with Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority with a focus on oil and gas, cruise tourism and port development.
He is a Trustee/Director of the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness and has served with local Development Trusts and other community bodies.
Orkney and Shetland MP
Alistair Carmichael
Alistair has represented Orkney and Shetland in Westminster since 2001.
He served as Secretary of State for Scotland and is currently Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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Orkney MSP
Liam McArthur
Liam has represented Orkney in the Scottish Parliament since 2007.
He serves as Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, advocating for island interests and improved connectivity.
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Orkney Islands Councillor
Gwenda Shearer
Gwenda represents Kirkwall East ward and is serving her third term as a councillor. She chairs the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee.
She focuses on constituency work and community engagement across housing, education and leisure services.
Orkney Islands Councillor
Kristopher Leask
Kristopher represents Kirkwall West and Orphir ward. He chairs the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee.
He has a particular interest in community ownership, renewable energy transition, and creating opportunities for young people in Orkney's changing economy.
Member
Morven Brooks
Morven Brooks is Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Orkney, providing strategic leadership to support charities, community groups and volunteers across Orkney Islands widely.
Morven has extensive senior leadership experience in the third sector, with a strong commitment to collaboration and inclusion.
Member
Rachel Scarth
Project Manager for Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney, Rachel has worked in the public sector for 20 years.
She has extensive experience of partnership working in the public, private and third sectors, project delivery and communications.
Member
Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson is a serving Police Chief Inspector based on Orkney, having joined in 1994. He is invested in Community policing having been involved in Community Policing at every rank throughout his service.
He has worked in several national departments and been involved in policing major events with the highlight being the Orkney Island Games.
Chair
Stephen Hagan
Former Convener for Orkney Islands Council, where he served as a councillor from 1994 to 2022 representing the North Isles.
Stephen has extensive experience in local government and community consultation, having led numerous public engagement initiatives across Orkney.
Vice-Chair
Craig Spence
Chief Executive of Orkney Housing Association and Chair of Orkney Charitable Trust.
Craig has a background in business and finance, and has held non-executive positions with various public bodies including NHS Orkney and Highland and Islands Enterprise.
Vice-Chair
Michael Morrison
Michael is a former Business Development Manager with Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority with a focus on oil and gas, cruise tourism and port development.
He is a Trustee/Director of the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness and has served with local Development Trusts and other community bodies.
Orkney and Shetland MP
Alistair Carmichael
Alistair has represented Orkney and Shetland in Westminster since 2001.
He served as Secretary of State for Scotland and is currently Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Visit website
Orkney MSP
Liam McArthur
Liam has represented Orkney in the Scottish Parliament since 2007.
He serves as Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, advocating for island interests and improved connectivity.
Visit website
Orkney Islands Councillor
Gwenda Shearer
Gwenda represents Kirkwall East ward and is serving her third term as a councillor. She chairs the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee.
She focuses on constituency work and community engagement across housing, education and leisure services.
Orkney Islands Councillor
Kristopher Leask
Kristopher represents Kirkwall West and Orphir ward. He chairs the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee.
He has a particular interest in community ownership, renewable energy transition, and creating opportunities for young people in Orkney's changing economy.
Member
Morven Brooks
Morven Brooks is Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Orkney, providing strategic leadership to support charities, community groups and volunteers across Orkney Islands widely.
Morven has extensive senior leadership experience in the third sector, with a strong commitment to collaboration and inclusion.
Member
Rachel Scarth
Project Manager for Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney, Rachel has worked in the public sector for 20 years.
She has extensive experience of partnership working in the public, private and third sectors, project delivery and communications.
Member
Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson is a serving Police Chief Inspector based on Orkney, having joined in 1994. He is invested in Community policing having been involved in Community Policing at every rank throughout his service.
He has worked in several national departments and been involved in policing major events with the highlight being the Orkney Island Games.