IE has announced performance figures for its work in 2017/18. The figures are included in the agency's annual accounts laid before the Scottish Parliament.
Businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands which want to head-off cyber attacks in their online work are being offered jargon-free, expert advice. The Cyber Strong Business programme, introduced by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) last year, is back with a second series of workshops, one-to-one consultations, and a Cyber Cafe in venues across the region.
Week commencing 27 August 2018 UKVL Sutherland: Today (Friday) marks Roy Kirk's last day as Area Manager for HIE in Caithness and Sutherland, as he will move next week to become full-time director for the Sutherland Spaceport project. Following Roy's move I have been offered (and have accepted) the role of acting Area Manager for Caithness and Sutherland, which in the short term I will take forward in addition to my CNSRP work.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has made leadership changes in Caithness and Sutherland, following the recent announcement of plans to create a spaceport near Tongue. Roy Kirk has moved from his role as area manager to become project director for the new spaceport, where he will lead HIE's plans to develop the new satellite launch facility.
WeekCommencing 20th August 2018 Energy & Business Services: Good to see another Beatrice milestone being reached this week, with the news that all of the inter-array cabling for the development has now been completed. With the crew transfer vessels based in Wick now able to use the new pontoon berths at the harbour the project is reaching the critical phase where construction work and operations work are both moving ahead quickly.
19 August 2018 Energy & Business Services: It was good to meet this week with Mike Muir of M2 Procurement & Commercial Services. Mike has extensive experience in procurement and commercial services, particularly in the nuclear sector, and I was delighted to hear that M2PCS has recently been awarded a contract to help develop the "Open4Business" portal that SSE has used to advertise many of its supply chain contracts.
On Thursday 16th August 2018 councillors on the Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee will discuss the update from Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership which is reproduced below. 3.
Weeks commencing 30th July and 6th August 2018. Sutherland Spaceport: Greg Clark MP, the UK Government's Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) was in the north this week to visit the site of the proposed Spaceport in North Sutherland.
A study into the importance of local banking services in rural areas has recommended a ‘whole system response' to meeting the banking needs of communities and businesses. Share The study was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) amid a growing trend of rural bank branch closures.
Week Commencing 23 July 2018 UK Vertical Launch Sutherland: Following last week's major announcements concerning the vertical satellite launch facility proposed for North Sutherland, it is good to see interest and comment continue to appear in the press. I was particularly delighted to see the pieces in this week's local press with Caithness Chamber's Chief Executive Trudy Morris highlighting the work that has been put in from a number of CNSRP partners in attracting the opportunity to the north.
Are you running a technology, engineering, IT or life sciences business that's looking to grow? Or do you have an exciting idea to explore? Our Pathfinder Accelerator programme puts you in a stimulating and challenging environment to help you develop and test your ideas for commercial viability. Join us for our taster session in Caithness where you can meet our expert coaches, find out more about the programme and discover how Pathfinder can fast track your business idea or launch your product.
Week Commencing 16 July 2018 UK Vertical Launch Sutherland: Around three years ago, Roy Kirk and colleagues from CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) began to investigate the potential economic benefits of developing a facility somewhere on the north coast from which to launch small scale satellites into polar and sun synchronous orbits. The market for small scale satellite applications continues to grow, with Glasgow already a centre for space industry businesses.
Week commencing 9th July 2018. Energy & Business Services: * Yet another milestone was achieved for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm (BOWL) project this week, as the final turbine foundation (number 86 of 86) was installed by contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting.
Partners in the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) have given a warm welcome to Ian Ross as he takes over the role of Independent Chair from Sir Anthony Cleaver. Following a public recruitment campaign Ian Ross this week takes on a two-year contract as Independent Chair of CNSRP, as its partners continue to support the area's economy to transition away from dependence on nuclear decommissioning work.
Roc Technologies Awarded 5-year Strategic IT Transformation and Managed Service Partnership by Dounreay. Roc Technologies recently announced it has been awarded a 5-year contract to transform and manage IT services by Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd(Dounreay).
Week Commencing 17 June 2018 Energy & Business Services: Representatives of Sykes @ Home were in Caithness this week to begin a recruitment process for Homeworkers, beginning with a well-supported drop-in recruitment event in Thurso. CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands.
Up to 100 new homeworking jobs are set to be created in the Highlands and Islands. The jobs will be for people with excellent customer care skills looking for the flexibility of working from home.
Roc Technologies today announced it has been awarded a 5-year contract to transform and manage IT services by Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd(Dounreay). Dounreay is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Cavendish Dounreay Partnership Ltd, a consortium of Cavendish Nuclear, Jacobs and AECOM and funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to deliver the site closure programme at Dounreay.
Weeks commencing 4th and11th June 2018 Energy & Business Services: I'm looking forward next week to meeting with representatives of Sykes @ Home when they come to Caithness to begin a recruitment process for Homeworkers. CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise has continued to work on attracting business services opportunities to the north, and this one will be of interest to many people in the area.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed a new regional head of innovation and technology. Based in An Lòchran, Inverness, David Howie is responsible for a dynamic portfolio that includes all HIE activities on innovation, technology and advanced engineering.