- Name: Kevan Shaw
- Political Party: Alba Party
- Ward: 11 Edinburgh City Centre
What is your story?
I have been an independence focussed activist since 2012 holding branch executive positions in both SNP and now Alba. I am by profession a Lighting Designer and have run a successful, award winning, design practice In Edinburgh for the past 33 years. During this time I have been involved in Lighting Designers professional associations. I held the position of Director of Sustainability in PLDA and am currently Chair of the European Regulatory Affairs Committee of IALD. As part of these roles I have been involved with the Directorate of Energy in Brussels as a consultee on lighting energy regulations. This experience gives me confidence that I can work effectively with the Council officers to make changes for my community. I have lived most of my life in central Edinburgh. I care deeply for the city, its environment and my neighbours. I am always ready to listen and learn from people what problems they face and do what I can to help.
What are the main issues you will campaign on – both as a party and personally?
Alba stands for Scotland. We are foremost a party on Independence and will campaign for this nationally. Locally we are focused on issues that are particularly pressing. We have a five point plan to deal with poverty. We are focussed on education including pupil and student welfare. We are concerned at the local impacts of current Holyrood legislation, particularly ensuring safe spaces for women and maintaining the sex based rights in the ECHR in relation to the proposed changes to the GRA. Particular problems in central Edinburgh include waste management, both poor performance under current contracts and proposed changes to waste and recycling collection despite vehement opposition from within the community.
What do you consider to be your or your party’s achievements or legacy during the last council session?
Our councillors have been in place less than a year having joined us after the party’s inception. It is difficult to point out headline achievements, however they have all continued to serve their constituents and communities diligently. This really should be the main focus for councillors.
What is the thing that few people would know about you?
My original career goal was to become a curator of industrial archeology. That wasn’t to be as I was rather attracted, like a moth to a flame, to a career in lighting. My interest in Industrial archeology has continued and I like restoring old things and model engineering.
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