David Richardson in new role
David Richardson, of Clashmore, Dornoch, has been appointed Development Manager for the Highlands and Islands for the The Federation of Small Businesses.
David is a well-known face in many parts of the region, having spent the past 23 years working in the Highlands and Islands tourist industry.
Most recently, David has been working for the Cottages and Castles self catering agency and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), where he was manager for the Highlands & Islands.
Commenting on his new position, David said: "I feel immensely proud to be joining the FSB. It is an organisation with an illustrious history, it has a voice that is listened to by the powers that be, and it is a provider of a wide range of important services to its members.
“The FSB is a member-led organisation and my role will be to support the implementation of the priorities determined by the members and their elected committees.
“My role is also to represent the individual and collective interests of members to politicians, officials, quangos, forums and committees, to collate member issues as case studies, and to signpost members to useful sources of information.
“This is very important to me. I am passionate about the Highlands and Islands and have long recognised that small independent businesses are the lifeblood of our many remote communities. Indeed, their importance to the future of this region cannot be overstressed.
“Working in isolation, the voices of small business owners are often not heard and they are at the mercy of remote legislators and other economic and social forces.
“Businesses that join the FSB are immediately part of a large and powerful organisation with great strength in depth. It is a fact that the stronger our membership the louder our voice and the more powerful our arguments. Together, each achieves more.”
In welcoming David's appointment, the Highlands and Islands Regional Chairman, Hamish Fraser, said: "David's past track record and experience will prove invaluable to the FSB in this region and we look forward to working with him on the many important and diverse issues that affect small businesses in our area.
“David's appointment will allow the FSB to continue lobbying governments at both Scottish and National level to ensure fair regulation and assistance which will allow SMEs to flourish."