Suppliers with experience in providing a range of advice services are being invited to tender for work with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The HIE network currently has contracts in place with four suppliers - Development Partners Ltd; ROC Plus Ltd; Alasdair Bruce Associates Ltd, and Business Partners (Scotland) Ltd - to provide advice to local enterprise company clients across the Highlands and Islands.
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network is embarking on a programme of organisational change aimed at improving its service to customers and enhancing the agency's efficiency and effectiveness. The changes have been expected since HIE launched its new strategy for the area, A Smart, Successful Highlands and Islands, in June last year.
Retailers in Caithness and Sutherland are once again set to benefit from an innovative training programme aimed at helping them to make the most of their businesses and consider future development plans. Following on from the success of the pilot, Strategic Thinking for Retail Businesses, programme course tutor Iain Fraser will deliver the comprehensive eight-day programme, divided into four two-day sessions, which covers everything from marketing to systems, personnel to stock control, market know-how to beating the competition.
A new brand to represent the renewable energy sector of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland was launched on Tuesday 21st Feb 2006 at an event organised by theHighland Renewable Energy Group (HiREG) in Inverness. The HI-energy brand identity has been designed for all those involved with the renewable energy sector to use in order to raise and reinforce awareness of the region and its aspiration to be a leading centre of excellence.
The economy of the Highlands and Islands is continuing to improve, with unemployment showing a steady downward trend while population levels are rising. That was the message today (Thursday 26 May) from William Roe, chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
NOTE: This statement from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise has been issued following KPMG's announcement that Caithness white goods manufacturer Norfrost has gone into administration. A copy of the KPMG release follows, for reference.
Busy bees can now get on with the housework, safe in the knowledge they can do so in an environmentally-friendly manner, thanks to the products of a new Caithness business. Kristin Douglas has set up Wax Nostalgic Ltd, based at her home in Halkirk, through which she will produce a range of handmade, environmentally-friendly, products for use around the home, available from her website at http://www.waxnostalgic.co.uk The range will include furniture polish, leather and wood care products, antibacterial and antifungal and general cleaning sprays, all made with a very high content of natural materials such as bees wax, organic and non-organic essential oils, pure vegetable oils and resins.
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) has announced the introduction of Business Learning Accounts (BLAs), targeting small businesses in the area. Businesses across other parts of the Highlands have already used BLAs to broaden their product range, to establish a market for new crops, for specialised survey training and to diversify and establish sector "best practice".
Geddes Window Systems Ltd, part of the D M Geddes Group based in Halkirk, Caithness has secured a substantial contract for the supply of timber windows to Your Homes Newcastle. The organisation employs 100 workers between its factory and construction interests.
Following the success of a pilot event last year, graduates and employers in Caithness and Sutherland are once again to be given the opportunity to meet and discuss mutual benefits. The second Graduate Fair will take place in Thurso Town Hall, on Thursday 7th April, from 4pm - 7pm.
