Boyndie Co-op Board
The Board has been chosen to represent the local area. Board members are:
Barbara Holligan (Peterhead)
I have been a Boyndie Director for 14 years, and the highlights have been contact from Members commenting on the Board’s decisions, and young people who have shadowed the Board and learned about business, co-operatives, accounts and renewables.
I moved to Maud from Kent in 1985. Farmer friends scoffed when I brought apple rootstocks with me, from West Malling research unit to Scotland. Even with youthful enthusiasm, I didn’t foresee the day our very small northerly facing patch would provide apples, pears and –yes-peaches- to keep us in fruit all winter long, but this has now happened 2 years running– cutting down not just on £sd but on food miles.
When we bought shares in the first wind farm co-op in Scotland we didn’t foresee UK wind producing 16GW in a day, or 40% of UK energy need, as it did in December 2019.
With Aberdeenshire’s oil and gas-centric economy, few foresaw cars all being electric, and the increased electricity generation needed.
My point is less about history and climate change, more about independent thinking and diversity. If the eggs in your basket are a mix of hen, duck and goose, you will be fed for more days of the year, as they all have different laying cycles. Diverse Boards run more sustainable businesses that outperform financially.
Heather Holligan (Peterhead)
I grew up in rural Aberdeenshire before moving to Edinburgh to university and now Falkirk, and so have been lucky to experience both rural and city life within Scotland. While in school I was given the opportunity to shadow the board, and I am now new to the board since being elected in 2024. I hope to contribute to the already existing experience on the board with a different perspective.
Currently, I work in food technology and have worked in various production models encompassing different food production from fresh salads to pot noodles. I am a foodie and I have always had an interest in food as well as where it comes from, the sustainability behind it and how this can fit into the modern economy. As sustainability and greener energy has become a point of focus in recent years, I am also interested in how it can work to the benefit of everyone. The spirit of community participation within the co-op is something I really value, and I think the model of engaging with the wider community is something that we should adopt whenever we can.
Duncan Leece (Boyndie)
I live in Boyndie, close to the turbines, which I watched being built and have been interested in, ever since. I was a founder director of this co-op, and am a keen advocate of community participation and benefit. The first half of my working life was spent in the retail and hospitality industries, but in 1999 I change direction into the Third Sector, and I am CEO of two local charities as my paid job. I was very honoured to be awarded the British Empire Medal for this work, in the late Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours List. I am used to working both at Board and operational levels, and bring that experience to this co-op.
Robin Maddock (Portsoy)
I was born and brought up in Hamilton, Lanarkshire in 1952 and lived there until February 2006.
On leaving school I joined Clydesdale Bank in Motherwell and worked my way through the ranks becoming a manager when I was 28 in the International Division in Glasgow. I had various managerial jobs, primary in Treasury, Asset & Liability Management and latterly in Treasury Compliance & Operational Risk. In 2000 I moved to work for the parent company (National Australia Bank) although I was still based in Glasgow. Following a restructuring in the organisation, I was made redundant in February 2006.
My wife and I have had a house in Portsoy since November 2002 but have been coming to Portsoy for holidays for about 35 years. On moving permanently to Portsoy, I secured a job as an Assistant Registrar with Aberdeenshire Council, which I have now left. I am also Chairman of Banffshire Partnership Ltd and Chairman of the Portsoy District Community Association which runs the Pavilion and playing fields in Portsoy.I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland and have an MSc in International Banking & Finance.
I have served as a director of Boyndie Wind Farm Co-operative since the AGM in May 2008.
Mike Pitman – Chairman (Portsoy)
I am 65 years old and spent 32 years as a partner in Johnston Carmichael LLP, Scotland’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants. I worked initially in Banff and then in the Fraserburgh office. I retired in May 2019.
I have been on the Boyndie board for 15 years now, the last 11 as Chairman.
I lived in Banff for some 26 years, before moving to Aberdeen in 2015 for family reasons. I now live in Westhill and have 2 grandchildren. .
Since retiring I have taken up Curling and play in 3 different teams over the winter. I am still a season ticket holder at Pittodrie.
Christopher McKay (Portsoy)
At present I am self employed doing mainly building work, tree surgery and firewood processing. Before moving to Portsoy in 2005 I was a director with one of Rentokil Initial’s main divisions with my last three positions being Sales and Marketing Director, Operations Director and Managing Director. My last job involved running twelve huge laundries spread throughout Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland and employing over two thousand full time employees.
I believe that the more you put into your community you more you get out of it. Locally I have been an office bearer in Deveron Canoe Club, Banff Chess Club, Deveron Gymnastics, Skip to the Beat, Portsoy 75 Club, Portsoy Community Council and Portsoy Primary School Parent’s Support Group. In my spare time I am also the local Sustrans Ranger for the stretch of the National Cycle Network (from Whitehills to Cullen) that passes right by our wind farm. As a warden I am responsible for ensuring that the signs are kept clear of vegetation and replaced if damaged or vandalised. If you like to go to the theatre you may well have seen me in most of the Portsoy Players productions and pantomimes.
In terms of energy use I have been very interested in alternative technologies for decades, heat my house with wood and find the current carbon debate engrossing.
Milan Copic
I served on the board of directors at the time when the co-op was established and participated in recruitment of the members/investors. I was in the post till 2013 when I resigned in order to dedicate all available time to the new job that I have then just started. For the part of that period, I was a chairperson.
My work experience comes almost entirely from holding senior management positions in food manufacturing industry in UK. I am used to management by consensus, the style well suited to reaching the decisions by the group of people and fitting the style of the Co-op board.
I am very interested in the locally owned renewable energy sources as well as in local community of the Banff area.
I am willing and able to commit to regular participation in the board meeting as well as to constructively contribute to running of the Co-op.
I am a good communicator and am well known within the Co-op membership. I am positive, enthusiastic and constructive person as well as supportive colleague.
Contact the Energy4All office if you need information on the Boyndie co-op or if you would like to get in touch with the Directors
