Highlands and Islands Enterprise Seeks Partners To Deliver Advice
20th March 2006
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.
These contracts, which were set up in 2003, are due to end in October, so HIE is now inviting expressions of interest from potential suppliers throughout Scotland and beyond.
Suppliers wishing to express interest in tendering for this work can do so through the HIE website - www.hie.co.uk/tenders.htm
HIE has enjoyed positive feedback since moving the delivery of its advice services to external supply partners three years ago.
A study carried out by independent market research firm TNS System Three found high levels of satisfaction, with 72 percent of customers rating their adviser either very good or excellent.
The same proportion reported their organisation had gained a big or very big advantage from using the adviser and 90 percent agreed they would probably recommend the adviser to others.
European Commission regulations for public sector organisations tendering large contracts mean that the opportunities must be advertised internationally, through the European Union's official journal - http://ted.publications.eu.int/official
Related Businesses
Related Articles
A family run agriculture company in Moray has embarked on a major growth project that will increase production and efficiency, improve product quality and create jobs. James Taylor & Son, operating at Kintessack near Forres, has secured up to £161,446 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards total project costs of £403,616.
Businesses in the tourism sector and its supply chain in the Highland Council area are being encouraged to secure a place on the Digital Tourism Support Programme. The programme is offering support to eligible businesses and social enterprises of up to three days of free, personalised, one-to-one digital advice from industry experts.
Public investment is planned for a major redevelopment project at Port of Nigg in the Highlands. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved up to £10 million to support development of the port's Inner East Quay, which will result in the creation of a new heavy-duty quayside and the introduction of roll-on roll-off capability.
A further phase of development is getting under way at Wick Business Park in a move that will support economic growth and strengthen population retention in Caithness. Park owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded a £1.8m contract to Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure Ltd to build a further four new business units.
The chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced plans to retire from the role in July. Alistair Dodds CBE has served on the HIE board for 11 years.
The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain resort returned to service on Thursday 27 February 2025. Scotland's only funicular railway has been out of action since August 2023, while an extensive programme of remediation works has been carried out, led by contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a further £863,000 contribution to the Inverness Castle Experience project. Led by The Highland Council, the Inverness Castle Experience is a key project within the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
Highland based food and drink producers have until 28 March to enquire about a new support programme aimed at helping businesses in the sector to cut carbon emissions. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is looking for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to take part in the food and drink TechHUB Net Zero Mobilisation programme.
Ambitious plans to create a major new renewables hub in Orkney have been accelerated with a £5m grant to help take the project to the next stage. The funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will further the development of a new harbour facility for the assembly of offshore wind turbines at Scapa Flow - the largest natural harbour in the northern hemisphere.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has welcomed a new report into the economic potential of wave and tidal energy for Scotland. The study was carried out by the Policy and Innovation Group, part of the Institute for Energy Systems at the University of Edinburgh (UoE).