A FORMER trustee of the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock has been made an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Jane Spiers, who served as a director of the Greenock Arts Guild - the company which owns the local venue - between 2014 and 2018, said she is 'still pinching myself' at the award.

In a career in the arts spanning more than 40 years, Ms Spiers has been a producer, programmer, festival director, event manager and cultural policy adviser.

She is currently the chairwoman of the National Theatre of Scotland and was previously the chief executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts from 2012 to 2022, running three venues in the city, and the inaugural chief executive of Horsecross Arts in Perth from 2003 to 2012.

Ms Spiers is currently a trustee of the Glasshouse and chair of its trading subsidiary Music North Limited; a trustee of Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust and a trustee of Peacock Visual Arts in Aberdeen.

She said: “I’m still pinching myself. I feel so fortunate to have spent a lifetime working in the arts and now to be given an honour for doing something I love.

“I couldn’t accept it without acknowledging all the people along the way back and front of house who’ve played a part in my life, encouraged me, believed in me, given me chances.

“It’s a fantastic personal honour but it’s also an opportunity I can’t miss to shout out for the arts and shine a light on all the wonderful people who work in our industry.”

Ms Spiers is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.