Ambassadors passionate about creating business in Caithness and North Sutherland
30th May 2011
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched an initiative which will call on high profile leaders to promote the advantages of doing business in Caithness and North Sutherland.
A number of top executives working across the UK, who already have business or personal connections with the area, have pledged their support as ambassadors to encourage new inward investment opportunities.
Senior figures in multi nationals like BP and AMEC are amongst those playing a part in promoting the area. Andrew McCree, of energy and environmental company AEA Group, commented: "This is an innovative approach. Caithness and North Sutherland has a number of strong business connections and it is important that these are fully utilised to the benefit of the local economy.
"It is a remarkable part of the world with a talented population and anything that can be done to encourage people or companies from outside the area to invest should be done. We should also not underestimate the ability of people from this area to start up and create their own businesses and I hope the Caithness and North Sutherland Industry Ambassadors can play a part in helping them succeed."
Roy Kirk, HIE's area manager, has held initial meetings in Scotland and in London to help the project gather momentum. As well as the business community these discussions have also drawn on the international experience of Scotland Development International, which creates business links across the world.
Mr Kirk commented: "There are some very talented and well connected business people already working in or with our businesses in Caithness and North Sutherland. We want to encourage these individuals, who are passionate about what the area has to offer, to help us build a business network. Working through HIE we can share information widely on the valuable natural resources we have here, the highly skilled nature of our workforce and the investment opportunities available."
"We have already developed key inward investment material for Caithness and Sutherland. This, plus information from the people and businesses of Caithness and North Sutherland themselves will help us keep our ambassadors up to date with latest developments.
"We can also get feedback on industry perceptions of our area. Having industry experts not only informed on what we have to offer but actively promoting our infrastructure and services is hugely valuable. We are convinced that promoting our business' skills and adaptability is key in showing how we can meet the needs of new business developing here."
Anyone who knows a senior contact in a relevant business outside of the area who might be able to help develop the network can get let HIE know by contacting Eilidh.Gunn[AT]hient.co.uk
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The much-anticipated return of the funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain will not take place in December, as had been hoped. Contractor Balfour Beatty has substantially completed an extensive remediation programme to strengthen the 1.8km viaduct, however detailed inspections have shown that further work is required in some areas.
A sand mining company in Lochaber is set to double its production and increase annual turnover by more than £2.6m. Lochaline Quartz Sand Limited (LQS) has secured up to £230,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the £855,000 costs of upgrading equipment on site.
The newly appointed head of business growth for Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) in Argyll and the Islands is to focus on expanding the agency's portfolio of business clients. Liam Orr, originally from Benderloch near Oban, took up the post in early December and leads HIE’s business growth team across an area covering Argyll and Bute, Arran and the Cumbraes.
An Aviemore-based adventure tourism operator has made significant progress in sustainability over the past two years by investing in e-bikes, e-vehicles and a carbon labelling system. Wilderness Scotland has reduced its scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by 16 percent through its commitment to business decarbonisation.
The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain looks set to be back in action towards the end of December or early in the new year. Contractor Balfour Beatty has confirmed that, weather permitting, its current programme of remediation works on the viaduct that supports the railway is due to finish in the next week to 10 days, after which teams working for the company plan to demobilise from the mountainside.
Fetcha Chocolates is investing in new equipment to quadruple its capacity, increase turnover and create employment. An Argyll based chocolate manufacturer is investing in new equipment to quadruple its capacity, increase turnover and create employment.
Is your young business ready for the next step?. The Young Business Capital Grant helps young businesses and social enterprises (under 5 years old) invest in projects that stimulate growth.
Shell-volution is an ambitious industry-wide initiative supported by the public sector and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) which has been awarded £4.4 million of investment from the UK Government as part of the Islands Growth Deal. This innovative, ground-breaking project is set to transform shellfish aquaculture, bringing sustainable growth and additional quality jobs in mussel farming, based on detailed investigations (mapping and monitoring) and creating a model for improving security and reliability of wild spat recruitment, through industry best practice.
A Nairn-based foundry, which has achieved international recognition for its larger-than-life bronze castings has invested in a £200,000 expansion to help it reach greater heights. An award of £60,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has helped Black Isle Bronze to improve infrastructure and purchase equipment to extend the range of projects the firm can undertake.
Young businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to increase productivity, innovation and employment can apply for funding from HIE. The fourth round of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Young Business Capital Grant (YBCG) is now open to businesses that have been trading for less than five years with up to 250 full-time equivalent employees.
