Advisory / Counseling Services News

1/9/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Shetland social enterprise grows to meet green demand

A social enterprise in Lerwick is putting the finishing touches on a major expansion project.   This milestone is a significant step forward in enhancing vital community services and unlocking new pathways for supported employment and skills development.  

1/9/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
HIE and SAMS join forces to enhance marine science sector

HIE and SAMS will collaborate to enable pioneering marine and coastal research, innovation and technological advancement.   Two organisations have teamed up to strengthen Scotland's status as a major player in the global marine science sector.  

28/8/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Multi million-pound government investment for pioneering plutonium disposal technology

The NDA group has been allocated £154 million in government funding to develop specialised capabilities to enable plutonium disposal.   People in North West England are benefitting from £154 million in government funding to develop specialised capabilities to enable the disposal of the UK's civil plutonium inventory.  

19/8/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Contract awarded for design works at Inverness Campus

Architects have been appointed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to deliver design and consultancy services for a new phase of development at Inverness Campus, following a competitive tender process.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) awarded a contract to Andrew Black Design for design team services (RIBA Stage 4) for small business units on Plot 14 of Inverness Campus.  

11/8/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Highland Region Investment Landscape Creating More Business and Jobs

Highland hosts 110 of the Highlands & Islands' 251 identified transformational projects, representing over £40 billion of potential investment and more than 11,450 direct operational jobs in the area.   Across the Highlands & Islands, the total investment potential from 2025 to 2040 is over £100 billion, marking a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the regional economy and support nearly 18,000 ongoing roles post-construction.  

7/8/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Investment in Caithness and Sutherland helps HIE achieve targets

Investment by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in Caithness and Sutherland during 2024-25 helped the organisation to meet or exceed 18 of its 20 key targets.   The figures compiled by the agency are subject to review by Audit Scotland before publication of HIE's annual report in November.  

5/8/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Public partnership signed to accelerate clean energy transition

Two public organisations have signed a partnership agreement committing them to work together to accelerate the UK's transition to clean energy.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Aberdeen based Great British Energy (GBE) signed the agreement in Inverness on Thursday 31 July during a GBE visit to the region.  

4/8/2025 : Other Public Services

UKAEA launches International Fellowships Scheme for fusion

UKAEA has launched the International Fellowships Scheme, an initiative to help expand the global talent pool supporting the fusion industry.   The scheme is part of the UKAEA's Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training, Education and Research (FOSTER) Programme, which aims to train, support, and empower the next generation of professionals, who will help deliver fusion power to the grid.  

4/8/2025 : Other Public Services

Advancing Fusion Remote Maintenance: Industry Collaboration Driving Innovation

As part of the Fusion Futures (FF) programme, UKAEA's  Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE)  has partnered with industry leaders to develop two groundbreaking technologies for remote maintenance in fusion energy engineering.   Thanks to FF funding, industry has taken the lead in maturing UKAEA technology concepts—delivering real-world solutions that enhance operational autonomy and reduce maintenance burdens in extreme environments.  

29/7/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Island investment boosts outturns for HIE in 2024/25

Figures compiled by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) show strong outturns against key targets for the agency during the 2024/25 financial year.   The figures, which are subject to review by Audit Scotland before publication of HIE's annual report in November, show that the agency met or exceeded 18 of its 20 key targets.  

25/7/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
HIE holding drop-ins for Wick Business Park expansion plans

People in the Wick area of Caithness are being invited to share their views on proposals to expand Wick Business Park.   Following the successful development of phase one, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is planning a second phase of development on land next to the existing business park.  

8/7/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Renewable energy firm ENERCON welcomed to Wick Business Park

Wick Business Park has welcomed wind energy technology company ENERCON as the first occupant of one of four new units completed last year.   ENERCON specialises in designing, producing, installing and servicing onshore wind turbines and has been operating in the Caithness area since 2013.  

8/7/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Salmon farm company to convert waste to useable product

A project to recycle waste at an aquaculture hatchery in Wester Ross has secured up to £630,290 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Bakkafrost Scotland limited is leading the project, which has a total investment value of more than £2.5m.  

7/7/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
NDA calls for engagement on refreshed decommissioning strategy

The NDA has published its strategy for consultation, setting out the roadmap to decommission the UK's earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and sustainably.   Today, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has published its revised strategy for public consultation, setting out a clear roadmap for one of the UK's most complex long-term environmental challenges.  

4/7/2025 : Banks & Finance

The Pros And Cons Of Credit Union Saving and Borrowing

Many people want to save and help their community by making funds available at good rates from a local entity such as Hi-Scot Credit Union that covers Highland and Islands.   Credit Unions encourage savings as well as offering affordable borrowing but lets take a closer look.  

3/7/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland team

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed new members to its Caithness and Sutherland team as the agency settles into its new premises and works to expand its client portfolio.   Claire Wilson has joined as head of business growth and investment.  

18/6/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Applications open for the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme

Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are invited to apply to the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme.   The initiative is designed to empower rural business owners and senior leaders across Scotland with the skills, confidence and strategic insight needed to drive innovation and growth in their communities.  

12/6/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise

The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Applications are currently being invited through the government's public appointments website with a closing date of 7 July 2025.  

11/6/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Renewable energy training centre officially opened in Inverness

Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, has officially opened Aurora's pioneering Renewable Energy Training Centre in Inverness - the only facility of its kind serving the Highlands.   The £1.2m training centre has already demonstrated its importance to Scotland's net-zero ambitions, training to more than 1,000 people in its first year and gearing up to train more than 2,000 workers annually who will be central to the country's renewable energy future.  

4/6/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will invest up to £24 million at Kishorn Port

A multi-million pound investment is being made in one of Scotland's most strategically important ports.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will invest up to £24 million at Kishorn Port in the west Highlands to enhance its capacity and capabilities, with an expanded dry dock and land reclamation enabling the manufacture of floating offshore wind foundations.