Focus North conference has generated 'buzz of excitement and enthusiasm'
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Business leader Trudy Morris has spoken of the "buzz of excitement and enthusiasm" generated by the Focus North business conference.
She said last week's event in Thurso had showcased a "future of possibilities" for the north Highlands by exploring opportunities ranging from tourism and hospitality to offshore wind and the space sector.
Ms Morris, the chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, was among more than 140 representatives from key public and private-sector organisations attending the conference at the Weigh Inn.
It was organised and hosted by Focus North, formerly known as Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, which outlined a three-year regional plan centred around economic growth, people and communities and sustainability.
Focus North is made up of representatives from Caithness Chamber of Commerce, Dounreay Site Restoration Limited, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Skills Development Scotland, the University of Highlands and Islands and the Scottish Government.
Findings were shared from recent research looking at issues such as retaining and growing the working population, transport links, housing availability and workforce skills. The research also indicated that most young people would be keen to stay in the area if they could find secure employment giving a good work/life balance.
"An incredible amount of collaborative work has gone into the re-vision and evolution of the regional master plan," Ms Morris said.
"The conference highlighted the commitment of the partners in developing a fairer, resilient and more balanced economy in the north Highlands.
"Personally, I was invigorated by affirmation of the partnership priorities through the pre-event research with key regional demographics on factors for economic growth. It was inspiring to see our young people actively contributing to the conversation.
"The event was well attended and represented a broad spectrum of local and regional stakeholders. We have received great feedback, and discussions post-event have been extremely encouraging.
The conference highlighted the commitment of the partners in developing a fairer, resilient and more balanced economy in the north Highlands.
"The conference raised awareness of several opportunities and gave fantastic insight into the ‘future of possibilities’ for our region.
"We cannot underestimate the amount of work that needs to be done in order to seize and maximise the opportunities presented. Of course, this won’t happen overnight.
"It is important to acknowledge that there are a number of factors outwith the remit of the partnership which may have a bearing on the overall outcomes. However, the conference had a palpable buzz of excitement and enthusiasm.
"Now we must galvanise and harness this energy to help propel us forward together as a region, attract investment, grow and diversify our skill base and create sustainable economic growth.”
'All the ingredients for success are in place'
Last week's Focus North conference demonstrated that "all the ingredients for success" are in place for the region, according to a director at UHI North Highland who took part in the event.
Giles Huby said he was convinced the Focus North partners had the enthusiasm and experience to make a lasting difference in diversifying the region's local economy.
Mr Huby, UHI North Highland's director of external engagements and facilities, took part in an interactive panel session along with Stuart Black, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Raymond Bremner, leader of Highland Council, and Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce. They answered questions from the audience and discussed economic challenges and opportunities.
"UHI North Highland was part of the team that redeveloped Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership to become Focus North so we were very encouraged to see how many organisations attended the conference," Mr Huby said.
"It was a fantastic networking opportunity for everyone across the private and public sectors. They all got to hear the very latest on how the region’s prospects will be boosted by offshore wind, hydrogen, space, the Flow Country and tourism – as well as how Focus North will do its bit to ensure success for all involved."
He added: "Several attendees based further afield commented to me about how impressive it was to see the region’s economic stakeholders aligned and working together so effectively, and I completely agree.
"I firmly believe that the partners who make up Focus North will make a difference in diversifying the economy and business prospects for the region – they have the enthusiasm, pragmatism and experience to make it happen.
"All the ingredients for success are here, right now, and it’s essential we all convey that confidence and message to our young people as they make their choices on where to study, work and live in the future."
Call for 'collective local action'
Focus North chairman Simon Middlemas has called for "collective local action" to help push forward the projects that will shape the future of the area's economy.
Reflecting on the success of last Wednesday's well-attended conference hosted by Focus North, formerly Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, he said the region was well placed to make the most of its potential.
Mr Middlemas, a former naval superintendent at Vulcan and ex-managing director of Dounreay, said: “There are really exciting opportunities opening up in the north at the moment across a wide range of industries where geography counts in our favour.
“Our goal is to expand the working population, grow and diversify the economy, increase the number of private sector businesses operating locally and attract investment into the area.
“We can do that by attracting jobs in key sectors such as space, offshore wind, tidal generation, hydrogen, future transport and sustainable tourism, as well as supporting employment in existing sectors.
“However, collective local action is needed to ensure we deliver transformational initiatives, so the north of mainland Scotland generates growth and economic diversity and leads the low-carbon economy.
“We need the whole region to come together and drive forward the projects that will shape our future. By working together with our partners we believe we can achieve something great for this area.”
Eann Sinclair, area manager for Caithness and Sutherland at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said: “It was great to see people meeting up and being so enthusiastic in their responses to the presentations.
“We’ve been a key partner in developing Focus North’s strategic goals, and we feel they are an excellent fit with both HIE’s own strategy and with the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation which was published last year.
“There are good grounds for optimism going forward and we’re confident that with the partners working together we can turn goals into action to make a difference."
The event at the Weigh Inn, Thurso, was presented by Nicky Marr.
The pillars of Focus North’s three-year regional plan are economic growth, people and communities and sustainability.
The partnership says it will publish key targets, measure progress, check in with stakeholders and make the results public.
