High Life Highland boss retires

The chief executive of High Life Highland (HLH), the biggest leisure services provider in the region, has announced his intention to retire from the top job in the summer.

Ian Murray has been the boss of the charity since it was created by Highland Council in October 2011 when it was tasked with delivering and developing the local authority’s culture, learning, sport, leisure and health and well-being services.

Since then it has grown to employ more than 1300 full and part-time staff and support more than 1500 volunteers with an annual turnover of £32 million.

Mr Murray first moved to the Highlands 31 years ago to take up the position of depute director of leisure services with what was then Ross and Cromarty District Council.

When Highland Council was formed in 1996 he moved to the region-wide remit of head of community learning and leisure before leading the transition of those services to High Life Highland seven years ago.

Mr Murray said: “Leading the transition to High Life Highland and the seven years since has been the most challenging, rewarding and enjoyable period in my career.

“Since HLH began, visitor numbers have grown almost three fold, annual income has doubled, reliance on council funding reduced by half and HLH has been asked by the council and several community groups to adopt 40 additional services, from the formerly community-run pools in Bettyhill and Poolewe to more recently the council’s school music tutor service.

“I have been very fortunate to have been supported throughout by a very motivated, professional and innovative team across everything we do.”

HLH was recently the centre of tensions over funding as Highland Council drew up its budget and sought to make cuts that saw the price of HLH membership rise by around £1. In draft budget papers, a move to increase the revenue target by £1.6 million was tabled but later removed.

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