Foreword

Welcome to the summer edition of FOCUS magazine. After a long and difficult winter, it is wonderful to see the warmer weather and longer days, along with some promising signals that we are on the road to recovery.

A long road it may be, but HIE is determined to support businesses and communities across the Highlands and Islands on this journey. We’ve just published ‘Action for Jobs and Communities’, our operating plan for 202122, which details our priorities to create jobs and support a green and inclusive recovery. This edition of FOCUS magazine gives a glimpse of the breadth of customers and projects we support, and most importantly the difference this makes for the people and communities of the Highlands and Islands. The University of the Highlands and Islands is one such example and we are delighted to be celebrating their 10-year anniversary of reaching university status. We are soon to be saying a fond farewell to HIE’s chief executive Charlotte Wright, who is stepping down in the summer after 24 years with the organisation. She will be greatly missed by our clients, partners and all her colleagues. Charlotte has a real passion for the Highlands and Islands and a burning ambition for HIE to deliver in every part of the region. We will be sorry to see Charlotte go, but I am confident we will retain this passion and ambition and continue to drive progress as we know she would wish. If you have some time off this summer, I do hope you will take the opportunity to enjoy what our region has to offer, including world-class scenery, food and drink, and hospitality. This past year has really made those of us lucky enough to live here realise just what a special place this is. Wishing you all a happy and healthy summer.

Alistair Dodds CBE Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)

CONTACT US

hie.marketing@hient.co.uk +44 (0)1463 245245 hie.co.uk To receive future issues of FOCUS magazine by post or email please subscribe: hie.co.uk/focus