CAITHNESS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE APPOINTS CHIEF EXEC

31st December 2008

The Caithness Chamber of Commerce has recruited a chief executive to ensure a strong united business voice for the future.

Trudy Morris, who currently lives in Inverness, will take up her new appointment on Monday 5th January 2009.

Trudy has extensive experience in a range of managerial roles and is commercially focused with extensive knowledge and experience within manufacturing industries and the provision of commercial services in international, corporate and owner-managed business environments.

Peter Body, Chairman of Caithness Chamber of Commerce said "We are delighted to have secured someone of Trudy's calibre for this post. This is just the start of the process where we hope to see the Chamber becoming stronger, with all local businesses working together to ensure a vibrant future for the area."

Trudy Morris said "I am delighted to be taking on this important role. With the rundown of the Dounreay site it is more important than ever to have a strong business voice in the community and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead."

Trudy's first job will be to increase the membership of the Chamber to ensure that every aspect of business life in Caithness is represented.

She added "I have been taking a keen interest in the work that is already going on in the area to diversify businesses away from the dependency of Dounreay. There are exciting new prospects for the future with marine renewables, engineering and tourism opportunities and it is good to see a strong partnership team working together to achieve a successful outcome. I look forward to working with the key agencies to help achieve their goals."

Highlands and Islands Enterprise were instrumental in securing the post with funding of £150K over a three year period. Annemarie Monteforte, Highlands and Islands Enterprise said "HIE recognise the need for a strong business focus for the Caithness area and therefore we were delighted to be able to offer assistance to the Chamber. HIE, along with the other key agencies within the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, look forward to working closely with the Chamber in the future."

The Chamber will hold its Annual General Meeting on 21st January 2009 at 1900 hours in the Ballroom, Park Hotel, Thurso. All local businesses are encouraged to attend.

The Caithness Chamber of Commerce was established in 1970.

Currently the Chamber has 42 business members. Efforts will be to increase membership to 120 by 2011.

The role of the Chamber is to provide a united business voice for Caithness, and to help drive the economic transition of the local area. This will complement the activities of the main public bodies working together through the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.

More information can be found at www.caithnesschamber.com