Guest speakers announced for UHI North, West and Hebrides’ graduation and award ceremonies

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UHI North, West and Hebrides is delighted to announce the guest speakers for its graduation and awards ceremonies to be held in Thurso, Stornoway and Fort William in the next few weeks.

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From left to right, Ryan Maclean, Lewis Gillies, Dave MacLeod

The achievements of more than 650 higher education and further education graduates will be celebrated across the three ceremonies.

Thurso ceremony:

  • Date: Friday 24th October
  • Location: St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Church
  • Guest Speaker: Ryan Maclean, prominent Caithness business leader and the Trust Manager of Scrabster Harbour. Ryan is committed to ensuring Caithness plays a central role in Scotland’s energy transition, and promoting the region as a vibrant place, to live, work and visit. He is also Chairman of the Caithness Association for Music and Outreach Events (CAMEO), a new charity working to revive live music in the Far North, create opportunities for young musicians, and deliver events for the community.
  • Mace Bearer: Lindsay Henderson, former Quality Manager at UHI North, West and Hebrides. Lindsay is being recognised for her longstanding commitment to excellence in tertiary education ensuring the student voice is at the centre of college decision making.
  • Reception: The Pentland Hotel

Stornoway ceremony:

  • Date: Friday 31st October
  • Location: Martin’s Memorial Church
  • Guest Speaker: Lewis Gillies, a visionary leader in the UK energy sector, is originally from Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis. He studied mechanical engineering before embarking on a distinguished career with energy giant BP, where he led several global businesses. Lewis later founded BP Alternative Energy, leading multi-billion-dollar investments in solar, wind, biofuels, and carbon management. Lewis went on to establish Haventus, acquiring the Port of Ardersier, near Inverness, and investing nearly £400 million to revitalise the site to support offshore wind development. He stepped down from his role as chief executive officer earlier this year to pursue new opportunities.
  • Mace Bearer: Ally MacLeod. Ally is an electrical engineering lecturer and staff ambassador for UHI North, West and Hebrides. He has been part of the college as a student, apprentice, and now a lecturer, continuing to pursue his own professional development through part-time study.
  • Reception: Stornoway Campus, UHI North, West and Hebrides

Fort William ceremony:

  • Date: Friday 7th November
  • Location: Nevis Centre, Fort William
  • Guest Speaker: Dave MacLeod is a professional rock climber and coach based in the Highlands. With over 30 years’ experience, he is recognised as one of the world’s leading all-round climbers. He has made hundreds of first ascents across Europe but is best known for his groundbreaking ascents of Rhapsody on Dumbarton Rock and Echo Wall on Ben Nevis. Alongside climbing, Dave is a respected coach, blogger, vlogger, and author, writing best-selling books on training and injury preventing in climbing.
  • Mace Bearer: Martin Johnstone, Lecturer in construction at UHI North, West and Hebrides. Martin has been instrumental in launching the first CECA Scotland Academy civil engineering operative course at the college, a college-to-work pathway run in partnership with major employers.
  • Reception: The Nevis Centre, Fort William

Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said:

“We are delighted to welcome our esteemed guest speakers to our graduation ceremonies. Their achievements and dedication to their respective fields and communities will undoubtedly inspire our graduates as they embark on their own journeys.”

For more information about each ceremony, visit our graduation webpage.