HIELights April / May 2013 Issue 6

CAPGEMINI: 500 NEW JOBS

SUPERFAST BROADBAND

CAMPUS BRIDGE IN PLACE

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Driving sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands

April / May 2013

Issue No.6

HIE announces UK’s most challenging broadband project.

Welcome / Fàilte

In this issue

Welcome to HIElights, a regular update on the activities of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

HIE is a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, with a unique remit which integrates economic and community development. Active across half of Scotland, from Shetland to Argyll and from the Hebrides to Moray, HIE pursues four priorities to achieve sustainable growth: •

• • •

Supporting businesses and social enterprises to shape and realise their growth aspirations Strengthening communities and fragile areas Developing growth sectors, particularly distinctive regional opportunities Creating the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region

HIE has an annual budget of more than £75m and employs around 250 people based in locations around the Highlands and Islands.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

Daktari locates to Inverness Tomintoul Hostel Scottish Land Fund goNORTH Energy map launch Successful results delivered by HIE Stay up to date with HIE’s work across the Highlands and Islands at www.hie.co.uk or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

Our priorites

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Supporting businesses and social enterprises to shape and realise their growth aspirations | A’ cur taic do ghnotha chasan is iomairtean sòisealta gus na h-àrd-amasan ac’ a dhealbhachadh agus a ruigsinn

Left to right: Paul Soutter of Capgemini, First Minister Alex Salmond and Alex Paterson of HIE.

Capgemini to create global centre of excellence 500 new jobs are being created in the Scottish Highlands by Capgemini, one of the world’s foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services. The move will see Inverness become one of the multinational company’s prime global centres of excellence for advanced IT. HIE and Regional Selective Assistance are

together providing Capgemini with financial assistance, including training assistance to support the business investment in the area.

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of HIE, said: This is the single largest investment in jobs for the region by a multinational company in recent years. It will place Capgemini amongst our largest employers.

“The decision to create a global centre of excellence in the Highlands and Islands is testament to the highly skilled business services workforce we are already developing here. This new growth in high quality, well paid jobs is very welcome and will strengthen the opportunities for those looking for a long term career path.”

Katie Morag stories to be filmed on Lewis The Isle of Lewis has been confirmed as the filming location for a new 26-part series of the hugely popular Katie Morag stories created by author and illustrator Mairi Hedderwick.

HIE works closely with Move On Up Ltd, the Cromarty based company which will produce the programmes for CBeebies, and has also invested £100,000 to help secure its production on location in the Outer Hebrides.

Filming on Katie Morag is expected to start in May for four months, using both studio facilities on the island as well as the beautiful Hebridean landscape – a key part of the Katie Morag adventures.

It will be broadcast in the autumn of 2013.

Katie Morag

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

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Bill Rodriguez, MD, President and CEO of Daktari meeting First Minister Alex Salmond in New York.

Daktari chooses Inverness for global base An innovative US company Daktari Diagnostics Inc, which is developing blood monitoring technology that can help save lives worldwide, is to locate its global manufacturing base in Inverness.

The company has been in discussions with HIE about plans to locate the production of its groundbreaking HIV technology for some time and the £12 million project is being

supported by HIE and Scottish Development International (SDI) with a £2.2 million public sector package for relocation and workforce training.

The investment will create up to 126 jobs in the Highland capital, and the business’s presence will build on the region’s growing expertise in research, development and production in the life sciences sector.

Daktari, which currently employs 40 staff at its base in Cambridge, Massachusetts, develops diagnostic tests for global health conditions such as HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.

The company plans to begin production of cartridges for handheld HIV monitoring devices as early as 2014.

HIE seeks operator for snowsport centre at Cairngorm HIE is the owner of Scotland’s busiest snowsports centre and is looking for a new operator to run visitor facilities at the resort on its behalf.

Left to right: HIE’s Elaine Jones, with Emma Dixon and John Macdonald who took over the management of the business last year

Refurbished hotel targets wildlife tourists A hotel which has undergone a £275,000 upgrade is to provide high quality tourism accommodation on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.

Previously known as The Clanranald, the hotel situated in Mingarry, within the heart of Moidart has reopened under new ownership and rebranded as Mingarry Park Guest House.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

The original building is over 200 years old and has been rebuilt to form a modern guest house, self-catering unit and Bothan Bar. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is providing assistance of £74,800 towards the refurbishments which aims to target people with an interest in wildlife and natural surroundings.

The agency built and owns Scotland’s only funicular railway at Cairngorm, along with associated facilities including ski lifts, the base station, shop, visitor centre, and the UK’s highest restaurant.

The opportunity to run the facility, which will remain publicly-owned, is being promoted through the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

HIE is looking for an operator to drive forward product, brand and capital development at the visitor attraction, along with achieving a sustainable business model which will provide the best return for the region’s economy. www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

IT company expands Caithness based workforce

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Anthony Wicks, Escape Manager and Nick Scroggie of HIE at the new office in Thurso.

An IT company providing services for clients across the world is creating new jobs in the North of Scotland as it relocates to a Thurso town centre location.

Having been based locally for three years Escape Group is investing in new accommodation and jobs. HIE has supported the company’s growth with a £98,000 employment grant.

Food and Drink businesses in London

International Digital cinema market awareness creates new events opportunities

Eight companies from the Highlands and Islands were networking at the UK’s largest food and drink event in London in March.

It has been another busy couple of months for HIE’s team supporting companies with ambitions to do more business abroad.

HIE works with all the region’s businesses which attended IFE 2013, the international food and drink event, which every two years brings producers, suppliers and distributors together.

Local firms exhibiting were Highland Smoked Salmon (Fort William); Walkers Shortbread (Moray); Stag Bakeries (Stornoway); Tods of Orkney (Orkney); MacMillan Foods (Argyll); Argo’s Bakery (Orkney); Invereach (Inverness); and Cullisse (Tain).

Around 50 people from more than 30 businesses attended a series of sessions held across the region. These events provided advice to both those preparing to export and the more experienced looking at general and more specific markets including China and the Nordics and Baltics, and for businesses with a tourism focus.

One of the newest Highland products to feature at the event was SUPER!NATURAL, a natural, healthy version of an energy drink produced by Invereach Ltd, based in Inverness.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

The next event is a market awareness session on USA and Canada on 14th May at Cowan House, Inverness. See the HIE website for more details.

Escape has offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Caithness – its team of 35 engineers provide IT support for all sizes of businesses as well as offering IT consultancy and outsourced IT solutions.

The UK mainland’s most northerly cinema, which re-opened after a public campaign, is being supported by HIE to develop a business model focused on the growing future opportunities of digital technology.

HIE has supported Thurso Cinema’s new digital investment, which has seen state of the art projection and sound technology installed.

The project currently supports 12 posts. In the longer term the business hopes to replicate the model and develop a chain of cinemas, creating more jobs.

An industry report has outlined that if the full potential of digital is realised in Scotland it could create 100 more cinema screens; 300 new jobs and over two million more cinema admissions.

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

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TalentScotland 100th graduate A programme which brings fresh thinking and new talent to businesses in the Highlands and Islands has celebrated a milestone by delivering its 100th graduate placement.

24 year old linguistics graduate Ruth Cape is working with trail-blazing membership organisation Community Land Scotland in Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. She has started work as its Membership and Marketing Officer.

Ruth Cape, Membership and Marketing Officer, Community Land Scotland and David Cameron, Chairman Community Land Scotland. Tarbert, Isle of Harris.

The TalentScotland Graduate Placement is managed in the region by HIE.

David Cameron, Chairman of Community Land Scotland, said: “Ours is a young membership-based organisation formed just over two years ago and very focused on representing the views of existing and aspiring community landowners.

“We aim to represent tens of thousands of people living and working on half a million acres of Scottish land that they own or hope to own. Ruth’s placement with us through the Graduate Placement Programme will ensure that Community Land Scotland can respond to the wishes of these members.”

HIE Chairman presents prestigious award Business leaders from the the Highlands and Islands have been recognised at this year’s Institute of Directors (Scotland) Director of the Year awards in a ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.

The judges selected Roy MacGregor OBE, Chairman of Inverness-based Global Energy Group to take home the award for IoD Scotland Director of the Year in the businesses over £30m turnover category.

Caroline Campbell, Director of The Ironworks Venue in Inverness was named as the HIE Regional Director of the Year in recognition of her efforts in turning around the fortunes of the live music and events venue.

Other regional winners included Dennis Overton, Managing Director of Aquascot Ltd and Paul Easto, Chief Executive of Wilderness Scotland. Becky Small, Managing Director of Fortrose Academy’s Innovation Company was awarded the Young Enterprise Scotland Directors Award.

Professor Lorne Crerar, HIE Chairman, said: “It’s been another exceptional year for the business leaders of the Highlands and Islands, with top awards for five of our region’s directors. Every one of these awards highlights the value of leadership to business and it is particularly encouraging to see Becky Small from Fortrose Academy leading the way for our next generation of young leaders.”

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

HIE supports Skye hotel’s ambitious growth The Kinloch Lodge Hotel and restaurant on the Isle of Skye has had a £750,000 upgrade to help it compete in the luxury market.

A funding package from HIE and the Bank of Scotland has allowed the owners, Lord Godfrey and Lady Claire Macdonald, to add six new suites, and bathrooms in the hotel’s other 13 rooms.

The kitchen serving the hotel’s Michelinstarred restaurant has doubled in size and a private dining room has been added which can take 15 guests.

Lord and Lady Macdonald’s daughter Isabella said: “Guests’ expectations are constantly increasing and we have to keep improving and giving visitors the luxury and standard they come to expect, at the same time continuing to give value for money.

HIE’s Eilidh Ross said: “HIE’s investment underlines our continued support to the tourism sector. We have been working with Kinloch Lodge for a number of years and this project will benefit the organisation’s growth by increasing occupancy and restaurant covers as well as creating and retaining jobs within the Sleat peninsula.” www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

Our priorites

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Strengthening communities and fragile areas | A’ neartachadh choimhearsnachdan agus sgìrean dùbhlanach

HI-Scot Credit Union Community based financial co-operative HI-Scot received £33,000 in assistance from HIE to assist it to relocate to larger, more suitable premises in Stornoway.

The Credit Union is owned, controlled and run by its members who live or work in the Highlands and Islands and provide services such as access to credit and opportunities to save.

In the past two years, HI-Scot has issued £1.6m in loans and attracted £3m of savings, supporting four full time posts. It has a total of over 2,200 members.

New pontoon for Strachur

Tomintoul Hostel

Tomintoul and Glenlivet A small but ambitious Highland community is to take on the management of the Highlands’ highest hostel, and has future plans to open it to visitors all year round.

Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust (TGDT), which is supported by HIE, will take on the lease at the Tomintoul hostel which is owned by Moray Council.

Visitors are also set to benefit from extended opening periods from May to October in 2013 and plans to open on a year round basis in the future. TGDT has planned significant upgrades to the facilities at the end of the 2013 season which will make the hostel much more customer friendly and a great option for small groups visiting the area.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

The new Strachur pontoon on the Cowal Peninsula was officially opened by Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing in March.

provides an additional safe haven with moorings and a landing pontoon for visiting yachts that are cruising the Loch Fyne area.

With support from HIE the £107,000 project has been developed by the Strachur Bay Moorings Association in a bid to attract more visitors to the east side of Loch Fyne.

‘The west coast of Scotland is an excellent sailing area and this project provides another link in the chain of marine and shore based facilities. The new pontoon will undoubtedly improve the quality of the overall tourism offer while having a positive impact for the local community.”

The 90 metre pontoon and shore access ramp will allow as many as five boats, up to 20 metres in length, to berth at Strachur at a time.

HIE’s Steven Dott, said: “HIE has been supporting community development in the area for many years. The project

Pictured here (L-R), HIE’s Kerrien Grant, Richard Scott, Association Chair, yacht owners Blair and Susan Fletcher, Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing, HIE’s Steven Dott, Association Secretary Ian Arnold, and Treasurer Lindsay Walker.

Glass recycling path to growth HIE is investing £70,000 with Shetland Amenity Trust for a project which will help to reduce costs and grow production of their innovative recycled glass building products.

The HIE investment is levering an additional £70,000 of LEADER funding to enable the £195,000 project to progress this summer.

Enviroglass, based in Cunningsburgh, is the only glass recycling service in Shetland. It currently processes 500-600 tonnes of waste glass per year.

Mhari Pottinger, HIE’s Head of Strengthening Communities in Shetland, said: “Enviroglass’s activities play a vital role in delivering local waste plans and meeting recycling targets.

The business has developed a range of high quality products and has built up a customer base both locally and on the mainland - with valuable sales coming from recycled ‘glasscrete’ pavers.

“This project which will introduce new technology and allow the business to adapt its building could result in a 500% increase in production capacity and a 60% reduction in unit costs.”

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

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Teisteanas Gàidhlig ann an Ceannardas a-nis ri fhaighinn THèid cùrsa air ceannardas a’ libhrigeadh ann an Uibhist an Deas airson sgilean ceannardas èifeachdach a’ leasachadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.

Tha an cùrsa ga ruith le Acadamaidh Iomairt Sòisealta (Social Enterprise Academy) a tha

a’ faighinn taic bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE) mar phàirt de sreath de chùrsaichean.

Thèid an cùrsa a chumail thairis sia làithean, 25 agus 26 den Ghiblean, 6 agus 7 den t-Ògmhios agus 28 agus 29 den Lùnastal

aig Cothrom, ionad trèanaidh ann an Uibhist a Deas. Chaidh da oide le Gàidhlig air an trèanadh leis an Acadamaidh airson an cùrsa a theirgsinn agus thèid an cùrsa air fad a’ libhrigeadh tron chànan air fad le stuth teagaisg Gàidhlig.

Leadership skills course now available in Gaelic A new leadership course has started in South Uist for anyone who wishes to develop effective leadership skills through the medium of Gaelic.

The

course

being

run

by

the

Social

Enterprise Academy received support from HIE as part of a package of training events.

The course is being held over six days, 25 and 26 April, 6 and 7 June, and 28 and 29

of August at Cothrom in South Uist. Two Gaelic-speaking tutors have been trained by the academy to deliver the course entirely in Gaelic with Gaelic training materials.

Scottish Land Fund Awards Three Highland communities are amongst the first to receive funding – totaling more than £800,000 - from the Scottish Government’s Scottish Land Fund (SLF).

All three projects have been supported by staff from HIE’s Community Assets Team, which is delivering the client support for land fund projects across the whole of Scotland.

Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust was awarded £310,000 from the SLF towards the £1.55m acquisition of Stronafian Forest in rural Cowal, Argyll.

Covesea Lighthouse Community Company in Moray has received £301,500 to acquire and develop a lighthouse through the Community Right to Buy process, after the Northern Lighthouse Board put it on the open market.

Coigach Community Development Company plans to buy and develop the former smokehouse in Achiltibuie with their award of £191,583. The group had identified a need for business development space locally.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead (third from right) with land fund and community representatives at Covesea Lighthouse.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

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Leadership training for Orkney social enterprise directors Orkney is the first area in the Highlands and Islands to deliver a high level leadership programme for directors of development trusts and social enterprises.

and social enterprises, the new programme builds on the success of three previous Orkney Director Development programmes delivered by the Institute of Directors (IOD).

The Orkney programme is part of a HIE funded Leadership for Growth initiative targeted at senior directors and business owners across the region and started in April at the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.

Eleven directors from local organisations, including Westray Development Trust, Stronsay Renewable Energy and Orkney Micro-Renewables, will participate in sessions designed to encourage them to share information and discuss common issues with other likeminded leaders.

Tailored to suit the needs of directors, chairs and aspiring leaders of development trusts

Chessa Llewellyn-White from HIE said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to offer a Leadership for Growth programme which can meet the specific needs of this group.

The delegates themselves will be able to determine the topics they wish to address and the sessions will be facilitated by specialists. Participants will also benefit from one-to-one mentoring and coaching. We also hope to take advantage of the facilitators’ time in Orkney to do some follow up work with the previous networks.”

Stramash Outdoor Nursery An outdoor activities social enterprise based in Oban has become the first in the Highlands and Islands to open an outdoor pre-school nursery.

Stramash has an extensive background in offering exciting outdoor adventure activities for groups of all ages including gorge scrambling, sea kayaking,

canyoning, canoeing, archery and coasteering in and around the Oban area.

It identified an opportunity to increase its income by offering a new service providing additional pre-school nursery places for three to five year olds.

The project has been a huge success and has significantly increased the turnover of the social enterprise, creating two new full time posts, and strengthening local communities by providing wrap-around childcare.

HIE has supported the business’s development with around £19,000.

Community ownership in Jura The Isle of Jura Development Trust took ownership of their local shop in March following a campaign to save it for the island.

As well as retaining valuable local services the project will provide a new community asset which can be developed for and by the islanders. It will sustain two jobs and create a new manager post on the island.

HIE’s Community Assets Team provided support to the group and invested over £50,000 into the pre-development costs and capital funding. The project has also been awarded £653,000 from the BIG Lottery Growing Community Assets to grow the business and achieve financial sustainability.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

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Developing growth sectors, particularly distinctive regional opportunities | A’ leasachadh roinnean fàis, gu h-àraidh a-thaobh chothroman sònraichte na sgìre

Our priorites

Argyll and the Isles tourism groups come together for summit Around 140 delegates from tourism businesses and public bodies in Argyll and the Islands came together for their annual summit at Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute Hosted by Argyll and the Isles Strategic Tourism Partnership (AISTP), of which HIE is a member, the partnership explored a range of shared priorities including a newly launched website, a strategic presence at

Expo 2013 and a series of workshops for tourism providers.

AISTP has garnered interest from other areas around Scotland as a potential model for tourism development in the future.

It has attracted high levels of private sector involvement and through its ‘stronger together’ initiative has leveraged funding in the region of £250,000.

Findhorn Bay Arts Festival brings home Macbeth as part of Homecoming Scotland 2014 A Moray arts festival will be marking the 2014 Year of Homecoming by celebrating the local roots of one of Scotland’s most famous kings.

Findhorn Bay Arts Festival has been named as one of the key events to receive national funding as part of the Homecoming Scotland 2014 programme for its plans for a modern celebration of both the myth and reality of Macbeth – Mormaer (Earl) of Moray and King of Alba.

This ambitious plan has been developed by Findhorn Bay Arts, a not for profit company newly launched this year. The organisation is working with the HIE to develop its plans.

Over 60 regional businesses prepare for All-Energy All-Energy, now in its 13th year, is the UK’s largest and one of the most important renewable energy events of the year for HIE and its energy businesses.

The Highlands and Islands will once again have the largest regional presence at the annual event being held in Aberdeen on 22nd and 23rd May 2013. The keynote addresses this year will come from Rt Hon Edward Davy MP, Secretary of State, DECC, and Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Scottish Government.

Over 60 companies will come together

under the HI-energy banner in Aberdeen, with the HI-energy pavilion made up of exhibitors from across the Highlands and Islands, including regional pavilions from Orkney, Shetland, Caithness and Argyll.

A new feature for this year will be the Wave and Tidal Theatre, in the Orkney Pavilion - where worldwide players in the sector will be able to showcase their projects and technology. This theatre will run alongside the main conference programme which covers all aspects of renewable energy including research, development and supply chain expertise.

David Oxley, HIE Area Manager for Moray said: “We are delighted at Findhorn Bay Arts’ success in placing the festival on a national stage. We look forward to helping them explore their ideas to combine community cultural assets, the wide range of creative skills locally and a tie in with private businesses to creative innovative events which will attract locals and visitors alike.”

Return of HIE tourism webinars Building on the success of HIE’s online tourism series, another programme of live webinars began on 1 May. More than 500 businesses took part in the last series, delivered as part of the HIE Tourism Intelligence Scotland service, with an average audience of 200 participants per live session. A further 850 downloads has highlighted the advantages of the online sessions, providing flexibility for businesses to access the programmes.

Details of the coming series are on the HIE website www.hie.co.uk/tourism-webinars

22/23 MAY 2013, ABERDEEN, UK

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

www.all-energy.co.uk

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

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Lews Castle

Funding package complete for Lews Castle The final part of the funding package to transform Lews Castle on the Isle of Lewis into a museum for the Western Isles has been announced.

Cabinet Secretary John Swinney confirmed investment of £1.8 million from the European Regional Development Fund when he visited Stornoway in April.

HIE is supporting the project which will see around £14 million in total spent on restoring and converting the property, which has been shut for almost 25 years. When completed, the museum will use Gaelic as its first language and will encourage people of all ages to tell their stories of island life.

HIE supports growth of digital healthcare The first in a series of P4 Digital Healthcare Bitesize events took place at the end of March, building on the success of HIE’s third annual P4 digital healthcare conference held in November 2012.

Attracting over 30 delegates to the Horizon Centre in Forres, the two hour event featured speakers from the European Space Agency, BlakesEye Ltd and an academic collaboration from Highland, Islands and Moray delivering the ‘Take the Lead for Health 2013’ project.

The presentations were followed by lunch and discussions.

P4 is the term used to describe the delivery of healthcare that is predictive, preventative, personalised and participatory. HIE is working to support the Highlands and Islands region’s lead in this fast growing sector as new, innovative and digital responses to health and social care are developed.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

goNORTH is gearing up Scotland’s leading creative industries festival will take place in Inverness city centre on the 5-6 June, offering live showcases, seminars and workshops completely free of charge to industry and the public. goNORTH 2013 will also welcome a diverse selection of wider UK and international acts to the thirteenth edition of Scotland’s premier new music showcase.

The goNORTH festival offers creative people access to business opportunities which could

Highland band Washington Irving at goNORTH 2012

provide a real boost to their career.

Supported by HIE, the event attracts specialists from across the world focusing on the creative industries. goNorth has moved beyond its core screen and broadcast industries, with fashion, crafts, digital media and publishing all being highlighted.

Headline speakers at this year’s event include Joe Cuello, Senior Vice President Music for MTV and Daniel Savage, former General Manager of Madonna’s Maverick record label.

HIE energy jobs map launched A new interactive map displaying employment figures within the energy sector in the Highlands and Islands was launched in April.

The figures show that there are currently in excess of 15,000 FTEs working in the energy industry in the Highlands and Islands.

HIE prepared the interactive jobs map for the HI-energy website. HI-energy represents the energy industry within the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and is managed by HIE in partnership with the wider industry.

The figures include employment within approximately 130 energy-related businesses working in renewables, oil and gas, and nuclear decommissioning, and mainly account managed by HIE. It provides a total figure for each region within the Highlands and Islands and takes into account employment at each stage of the project lifecycle, in all aspects of the energy sector. www.hi-energy.org.uk

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

Creating the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region | A’ cruthachadh na h-àrainneachd airson sgìre de dh’ ìsleachd carboin

Our priorites

HIE announces UK’s most challenging broadband project HIE has announced a £146 million investment which will provide a once-in-ageneration transformation for broadband infrastructure for the region.

The project, led by HIE and delivered by BT, is set to deliver fast, reliable fibre based broadband to around 84% of Highlands and Islands homes and businesses over the next three years.

With

commercial

rollout

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superfast

broadband reaching fewer than one in four premises, the public sector investment provided by the Scottish Government, Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) and HIE is changing the face of connectivity for the region. BT is investing £19.4 million in the project.

With 800km of new fibre on land, 400km of subsea cables, 19 sea crossings and hundreds more kilometres of fibre access cable to existing and new street cabinets,

Alex Paterson, HIE Chief Executive and Bill Murphy, BT Group’s Managing Director of Next Generation Broadband

the project is being hailed as the UK’s most complex and challenging broadband project ever.

HIE Chief Executive Alex Paterson said: “This ambitious project is a game changer for the Highlands and Islands. It offers opportunities for new ways of working, innovation, enhanced public services, and access to international markets.”

Workshop units for Ullapool HIE is supporting Ullapool Harbour Trust to develop six new workshops in the town.

The group purchased the land at the Morefield Industrial Estate in 2009 and HIE has invested £220,000 towards the £1.3m development to create mixed commercial and industrial units and storage facilities.

All six units, built by local firm Ullapool Construction, are due to be complete by July this year.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

Lindsay Simpson from HIE, said: “Due to local demand for workshop units in the Ullapool area, the Trust is developing this ambitious project which will directly benefit the local area.

“The units will create opportunities for businesses looking to expand and others could be encouraged to locate to Ullapool, bringing economic benefits and jobs to the area.”

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

Golden Bridge, being installed.

Golden bridge in place at Inverness Campus An iconic golden bridge which will provide the gateway between Raigmore and the Inverness Campus has been lowered into place across the Highlands’ main A9 road.

The complex engineering task of manoeuvring the 290-tonne pedestrian and cycle bridge, which is 9m wide and 6.5m high, took two nights to complete.

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Already a striking addition to the landscape, when it opens it will allow easy access for the public and staff from locations like the Centre for Health Science, Raigmore Hospital and LifeScan Scotland to the businesses, research and academic premises, accommodation, parkland and sports facilities planned for Inverness Campus.

Take a look at the installation on the Inverness Campus website:

potential airport and aircraft options and the capital and operating cost of these; and the overall business case.

findings of the study.

www.invernesscampus.co.uk/live-webcam. html

Skye Air Study A feasibility study investigating the potential of reintroducing scheduled air services from the Isle of Skye has been published.

The report provides information on the demand for air services, including what people would be prepared to pay; Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

A key recommendation is the setting up of a steering group of interested partners, including the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, to further examine the

The Highland Council, HITRANS and HIE jointly commissioned the report. It is available to view online at: www.hie.co.uk/skye-air-study

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

Engagement

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Working with government and parliament | Ag obair leis an riaghaltas agus a’ Phàrlamaid

Team Scotland set off from Cowan House in Inverness for Atlantic Quay in Glasgow in aid of Comic Relief.

Red Noses from Inverness to Glasgow A group of staff from HIE, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International raised over £7,000 for Comic Relief by cycling 217 miles from Inverness to Glasgow.

The three day challenge in wintry conditions in March covered some dramatic terrain, and the cyclists who had mixed cycling experience had never undertaken such a challenge before.

Social Enterprise Exchange 2013 HIE sponsored seven social enterprises from the Highlands and Islands to attend the Annual Social Enterprise Exchange (SEE) at the SECC in Glasgow.

Delegates, exhibitors and sponsors from around the world gathered together to hear from inspiring speakers and to debate the big issues facing social enterprises as well as network, exchange ideas, learn new skills and investigate market opportunities.

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

HIE supported a number of the region’s social enterprises to attend, with Auchindrain Trust, An Roth Associates, Development Coll, Kintyre Amenity Trust, Moray Social Enterprise Network, Out of the Darkness Theatre Company, Sleat Community Trust, South Islay Development Trust and Walking Theatre Company all exhibiting at the event.

Red Nose Day 2013 has raised £75,107,851 so far, which will be put to work transforming lives across the UK and Africa.

MSPs and Entrepreneurship As part of a regular series of briefings in Edinburgh, MSPs from across the Highlands and Islands were invited to come along and hear more about HIE’s work in promoting entrepreneurship.

The event was chaired by HIE Chairman Professor Lorne Crerar and included a presentation by HIE’s Head of Business Innovation and Growth Sectors, Donna Chisholm. www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

page 14

Successful results delivered by region’s development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) invested £80m across the region in 2012/13.

HIE’s end of year results reveal that the agency met or exceeded its targets for increasing turnover and international sales by supported businesses and social enterprises.

They also highlight the delivery of a wide range of ambitious projects which are making a real difference to the region’s economic and social sustainability.

The agency invested £23m to support businesses and social enterprises in projects such as graduate placements, leadership development and innovation. This is forecast to generate increased turnover of around £90m, with almost half being generated from new international sales. The investments have supported 800 jobs in the Highlands and Islands.

HIE Chairman Professor Lorne Crerar said: “HIE’s focus on investing in and attracting funding for projects which broaden our region’s economic base and appeal is delivering results. We have helped over 600 account managed businesses, social enterprises and communities over the last year, with a mix of finance, advice and support. And our figures reveal a busy year for international trade and exporting activity. In partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI), HIE

Professor Lorne Crerar, HIE Chairman.

supported 158 businesses international trade activity.”

to

develop

A number of infrastructure projects were developed during the year including Inverness Campus, Enterprise Park Forres, Arnish Business Park near Stornoway, and Warness Park on Orkney. The first building on the European Marine Science Park in Argyll was also completed and various projects in growth sectors such as energy, tourism, creative industries and life sciences undertaken.

Professor Crerar concluded: “The last year has seen the establishment of large

infrastructure projects which will change the economic and social face of the Highlands and Islands for generations to come.

“Projects such as the rollout of Next Generation Broadband and the development of Inverness Campus will cement our region’s place at the forefront of research, development and innovation.

“Over the forthcoming year many more projects will build upon this success and we look forward to continuing to work with our ambitious businesses, communities and social enterprises”.

Targets and out-turns Measures 2012/13

Range

Out-turn

Forecast increase in turnover by supported businesses (£m, year 3)

70-90

89.8

Forecast increase in sales outwith Scotland by supported businesses (£m, year 3)

20-30

48.8

700-900 100-150

809 158

1.5-2.5 0.5–1.0

2.3 1.9

25-30

27

Jobs supported (created/retained) FTE of which in fragile areas Forecast increase in turnover in the social economy (£m, year 3) of which generated by community owned assets (£m/year 3) Account managed communities delivering increased community benefit

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

www.hie.co.uk

April / May 2013

Key facts

Population of the Highlands and Islands is 465,220 (2011). This represents an increase of 7.3% since 2001 and compares to a 4.6% increase overall in Scotland.

Tha àireamh-sluaigh na Gàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan aig 465,220 (2011) – àrdachadh air 7.3% bho 2001 an taca ri 4.6% àrdachadh gu h-iomlainn ann an Alba.

Employment rate in the Highlands and Islands at 76.3%, is significantly higher than the rate for Scotland at 70.6% (2012).

Tha an ìre-cosnaidh anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan (76.3%) nas àirde na ann an Alba (70.6%) (2012).

Self-employment rate in the Highlands and Islands is 11.2%, which compares to 8.1% in Scotland (2012).

Tha an ìre fèin-fhastaichte anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan aig 11.2%, an taca ri 8.1% ann an Alba (2012).

page 15

Things you may not know about the Highlands and Islands | Rudan inntinneach mu dheidhinn na Gàidhealtach

The Highlands and Islands area covers over 50% (39,900 sq km) of Scotland’s land mass, despite having only 9% of Scotland’s population. Population density is 12 people per sq km, compared to 127 people per sq km in the rest of Scotland.

Tha an roinn a’ còmhdachadh còrr air 50% (39,900sq cm) de meallfearainn na h-Alba, a dh’ aindeoin 9% de sluaigh na h-Alba. Tha dlùths àireamh an t-sluaigh 12 duine gach cilemeatair ceàrnagach an taca ri 127 duines gach cileameatair ceàrnagach ann an àiteanan eile air feadh Alba.

Claimant count unemployment in the Highlands and Islands over the past few years has been consistently below the Scottish and UK rates. (March 2013: Highlands and Islands 2.9%, Scotland 4.1%, UK 3.9%.).

Tha cìon-cosnaidh cunntais neach-tagraidh air a bhith tòrr nas lugha na ìre Alba agus RA air na cuid bliadhnaichean a dh’fhalbh.

(Am Màrt 2013: A’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h- Eileanan 2.9%, Alba 4.1%, RA 3.9%.)

The female dominated sectors of education, human health and social work are the largest employment sectors, employing nearly 30% of the workforce in the region.

‘S iad na roinnean-obrach fo bhuaidh boireannaich (foghlam, slàinte daonna agus obair shòisealta) na h-earrannan fastaidh as motha, a’ fastadh 30% de luchd-obrach san roinn.

The business star-up rate is higher in our region compared to Scotland with 3.5 new start-ups per 1,000 of the population compared to 2.6 per 1,000 in Scotland (2012).

Tha an ìre aig a bheil daoine a’ tòiseachadh gnìomhachasan nas àirde nar roinn an taca ri Alba, le 3.5 daoine ùr gach 1,000 den sluaigh againn, an taca ri 2.6 gach 1,000 ann an Alba ann an 2012.

Gross annual pay for all employee jobs in the Highlands and Islands of £18,993 is around 8% lower than the equivalent for Scotland (2011).

Bha am pàigheadh bliadhnail de £18,993 airson a h-uile luchd-obrach sa Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan, timcheall air 8% nas lugha Alba gu lèir (2011).

• (This information provides the latest available data from the most reliable sources.)

Ambitious for Scotland | Àrd-amas airson Alba

www.hie.co.uk

Published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Cowan House, Inverness IV2 7GF www.hie.co.uk info@hient.co.uk All images are copyright Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

All written material Crown Copyright.

Ambitious for Scotland Àrd-amas airson Alba