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Former Labour MSP appointed as chairperson of SSEN Transmission’s Community Benefit Fund





Peter Peacock.
Peter Peacock.

SSEN Transmission has appointed Peter Peacock as the inaugural chairperson of its first Community Benefit Fund, which launches in September.

The business aims to deliver over £100m of funding in the future to the north of Scotland.

From September 1, community groups will be able to apply for a share of an initial £2m.

Mr Peacock who is a former Scottish Government Minister and convener of Highland Council, will chair a panel made up of three independent advisors and a representative from SSEN Transmission, that will assess applications and allocate funding.

Following consultation with the public in 2023, the company has confirmed that priority for funding will be given to projects that focus on: skills, training and employability; community and culture of the north of Scotland; and reducing fuel poverty levels.

Commenting on his appointment, the former Labour MSP said: “Funding can be a tool for building wealth within communities, giving power to local people to create new opportunities, meet objectives, and retain local wealth and assets.

“SSEN Transmission’s first Community Benefit Fund will be able to support enterprise and initiatives within communities across the north of Scotland for years to come, helping enable and empower local people to enrich community wellbeing, improving lives and places.


“The independent panel I will chair will bring external experience and expertise that will ensure real impact across the fund’s priority areas. I look forward to engaging with what I anticipate will be many exciting and innovative proposals in the coming years.”


Christianna Logan, SSEN Transmission’s Director of Customers and Stakeholders, said: “We are delighted to appoint Peter as Chair of the strategic decision-making panel for the SSEN Transmission Regional Fund.


“Peter brings a wealth of experience from his time in local and national government, and a personal interest in furthering the socio-economic goals of communities in the north of Scotland, all of which he will be deploying as we launch our first Community Benefit Fund on September 1.

“Applications are now open for other panel members, and we encourage anyone who has an interest in making a contribution that will deliver real benefits to communities across the north of Scotland to apply.”


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