New appointments at the Edinburgh International Science Festival

Citation

(2007), "New appointments at the Edinburgh International Science Festival", Microelectronics International, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/mi.2007.21825aab.006

New appointments at the Edinburgh International Science Festival

New appointments

New appointments at the Edinburgh International Science Festival

The Edinburgh International Science Festival enters its 20th year with two significant new appointments; David Milne (Figure 1), formerly Chief Executive and Managing Director of Wolfson Microelectronics, as Chair and Fiona Logue as their first Chief Operating Officer.

Figure 1 David Milne, newly appointed Chair of the Edinburgh International Science Festival

David Milne co-founded Wolfson Microelectronics, one of Edinburgh's most successful electronics companies in 1984. He is a key figure from the science industry and was one of the main players in recognising Edinburgh as a city of science and the importance of this sector to the city's economy.

David Milne said: “I have always been a keen supporter of the Science Festival and admired its ability to grasp the attention of children and engage them in the principles of science and technology. As Chair I aim to ensure that the Festival continues to inspire new generations of future scientists through both its innovative programme and its excellent approach to communication.”

Fiona Logue joins the Science Festival from The Royal Bank of Scotland where she headed up their card business customer marketing team. Fiona's appointment as Chief Operating Officer is a new post and will be key in strengthening the organisation over the next three years. One of the major development areas she will be responsible for will be further strengthening generation science, which is already the UK's largest science-based schools outreach programme, delivering shows and workshops to 55,000 school children across Scotland. She will also be charged with growing the market for Wonderama, the family venue run by the Edinburgh International Science Festival which currently attracts over 10,000 visitors each year.

Fiona's appointment will enable Simon Gage, Director of the Science Festival, to concentrate on the artistic direction of both Generation Science and the Festival.

Fiona Logue said: “This is an exciting and challenging new role for me. I am delighted to be working with such a talented and creative team and look forward to leading the Festival through what will be a major period of development and strategic expansion.”

Cllr Jenny Dawe, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said: “The Edinburgh City Region is fast becoming a world – leader in the science and biotechnology sector and the Council has played a key role in ensuring that facilities, such as the Centre of Biomedical Research, the Edinburgh Technology Transfer Centre and the Edinburgh Science Triangle are of world-class standard.”

“Without doubt the Science Festival's role in celebrating scientific research and innovation is hugely important in supporting the development of this vital industry in Scotland.”

“The Festival brings scientific knowledge into the public domain and the new developments will undoubtedly enhance this further. This is an exciting time for the Science Festival and through significant core funding the Council will of course, continue to offer our full support. I wish David and Fiona every success in their new roles, and am sure that their success in the private sector will prove invaluable in helping the Science Festival continue to grow and develop in coming years.”

Dr Milne succeeds Councillor Donaid Wilson as Chair. He co- founded Wolfson Microelectronics in 1984 and served as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director until March 2007. Dr Milne is a member of the Nomination Committee. From 1973 to 1985, he directed the Wolfson Microelectronics Institute at Edinburgh University, which developed CAD software and integrated circuit technology.

Dr Milne was Vice President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh from October 1995 to September 1998 and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers. He has a Doctorate in Physics from Bristol University and in 1998 became a member of the Court of the University of Edinburgh, a post he held until recently this year. Dr Milne was awarded an OBE in 1985 for services to industry.

Fiona Logue worked as Head of Customer Marketing at The Royal Bank of Scotland where she was responsible for credit card sales and marketing. Prior to this she was at Standard Life where she managed advertising and sponsorship. Her career started in the museums sector at Stirling Museum and Art Gallery. Then she became Curator of the Collins Gallery at the University of Strathclyde before moving to The Scottish Arts Council to manage grants for artists including the artists in industry programme.

The dates of the 2008 Festival are 25 March-5 April. The Edinburgh International Science Festival delivers an annual science festival in and around Edinburgh that attracts over 70,000 people. It also operates Generation Science, the UK's largest science- based schools outreach programme, delivering shows and workshops annually to 55,000 school children across Scotland. The Festival's programme combines a diverse selection of science related talks and debates by some of the world's most eminent speakers, with family events at “Wonderama” and other science venues throughout the city including the Royal Botanic Garden and the National Museums Scotland. It will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a series of year round activities in 2008 (www.sciencefestival.co.uk).