SEARCH BEGINS FOR THE ENCHANTED FOREST’S NEXT CHIEF ENCHANTMENT OFFICER

After five successful years at the helm, Nela Popovic, Chief Executive Officer of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, has announced her departure from the charity behind Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, ushering in a carefully planned leadership transition and the search for a new Chief Enchantment Officer ahead of the award-winning show’s twenty-fifth anniversary in 2026.

Nela will continue to support the charity during the transition period, remaining in post until 31 March 2026, ensuring continuity as the Trust prepares for its next chapter. During her tenure, Nela has been a steady and visionary force through some of the most pivotal moments in The Enchanted Forest’s history. The show has been running at Faskally Wood, Pitlochry since 2002, welcoming over 950,000 visitors since it first began and brings in over £10 million to the local economy every year.

As CEO, Nela delivered significant transformation, embedding robust governance, strengthening financial controls, and introducing new ways of working that have future-proofed the delivery of the event for the Trust. Under Nela’s leadership, the charity successfully navigated post-Covid recovery, delivering the most visited and highest grossing shows in the event’s history, increasing charitable giving and improving reserves.

A key focal point for Nela has been deepening the relationship with the local Pitlochry community, culminating in the Celebrating Thriving Communities Award win at the 2024 Visit Scotland Scottish Thistle Regional Awards. During this time, the Enchanted Forest Community Fund also reached record levels of giving, extending much needed support to charities and community interest companies operating in Highland Perthshire.

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust board has now begun the search for an inspiring new Chief Executive – or a Chief Enchantment Officer, if you will – who will be able to combine strategic acumen with a magical touch, leading one of Scotland’s most loved cultural events into its next quarter century.

The role offers a rare opportunity to lead a nationally important event with deep community roots, balancing artistic ambition, commercial success, social purpose, and creating magic for tens of thousands of visitors to the beautiful Faskally Wood.

Nela Popovic, outgoing CEO of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said: “Leading The Enchanted Forest has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Together with an extraordinary team, Board of trustees, and creative partners, we have navigated challenges, transformation, and growth while staying true to the values that make this charity, and The Enchanted Forest event, so special.

“As I step aside, I do so with immense pride in what we have achieved and have complete confidence in the Trust’s future. The Enchanted Forest, which will celebrate twenty-five years in 2026 and welcome its millionth visitor, is in a strong position to continue to delight audiences and deliver meaningful impact for the Highland Perthshire community.”

Karen Bothwell, Chair of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust said: “Nela’s leadership over the past five years has been exceptional. She has guided the charity through periods of significant change with clarity, resilience, and creativity. She leaves The Enchanted Forest stronger, more sustainable, and even more rooted in the community it calls home. As we begin our search for our next Chief Executive Officer, we are looking forward to welcoming a new leader who can bring both the enchantment to this role as well as build upon Nela’s strong legacy to help shape the next chapter of our story.”

Full details of the Chief Executive Officer role and how to apply can be found here: https://bta.current.jobs/job/chief-executive-officer-the-enchanted-forest-499.aspx