Trudy Morris: Nuclear has a home in Scotland as part of our Energy Mix.

Trudy Morris, Chief Executive, Caithness Chamber of Commerce

Earlier this month I was invited to Holyrood by the Nuclear Institute Association (NIA) to the Nuclear Energy in Scotland Reception, hosted by Liam Kerr MSP, marking the start of a long-term conversation between MSPs, Civil Servants and Industry Representatives. The reception brought together key stakeholders and decision-makers with the ambition to help drive the Scottish nuclear industry forward.

Scotland has a long history of nuclear research and electricity generation, and the event reaffirmed our belief that nuclear has a home here in Scotland as part of our energy mix. The reception at Holyrood talked much about the nuclear renaissance.

Nuclear power stations and the nuclear engineering supply chain have generated enormous benefits for the people of Scotland and the legacy of nuclear runs deep through the North Highlands. Employment at Dounreay is vital to Caithness, directly employing over 1,200 people and supporting around 700 on-site contract workers, alongside a network of sophisticated local supply chain businesses – all supporting the highly complex decommissioning processes onsite. In many ways, nuclear is part of the contemporary, cultural DNA of our region. For many years, Dounreay has brought highly skilled, well-paid jobs to the local area, supported apprenticeships, and graduate opportunities and provided substantial, and tangible benefits to the local community through its socio-economic activity. You would be hard-pressed to find anybody in Caithness who doesn’t know somebody connected to Dounreay.

As we step forward as a nation towards a “Just Transition” our region’s assets including the highly skilled workforce, natural capital, and reputation for excellence will position the North Highlands as fundamental to Scotland’s transition to renewable power, however the critical mass to meet the developments ahead will require careful planning.

As a nation we need to ensure all these industries can be resourced. As a North Highland community, we need to ensure the new opportunities of space and renewables complement rather than compete with our existing sectors. New nuclear south of the border may be a lure and an attractive proposition for those in the industry, however nuclear decommissioning is still very much a growth sector.

A large part of our work at the Chamber falls in harnessing and galvanising support for the new opportunities in our region. We work closely with stakeholders and developers to help steer and connect policy makers, decision makers and our local business community. Transformational projects in our region will play a crucial role in driving investment in our future skills, economy and infrastructure. But understandably, businesses and communities have questions too – what will this look like for us? What will this look like for our children or even our grandchildren? How do we prepare for what’s ahead, and most poignantly – how can we maximise these opportunities? The Chamber is here to make sure our region has a voice that is part of creating the narrative of our future, not an audience swept along by incoming tides.Key stakeholders including our two governments must work collaboratively to create a sustainable region, providing a healthy, economically stable environment for those living here. We need a larger working population, and this must be built into our regional strategic thinking. We need investment in our transport, infrastructure, and skills, and we urgently need to see rural communities put at the forefront of government decision-making. The legacy of Dounreay and its decommissioning will remain a beating current in Caithness and North Sutherland for years to come. The challenge now is to balance and develop the new opportunities ahead for the maximum benefit of our region.

Business Insight: Dave Calder, Head of Sustainability and Socio Economics at NRS Dounreay.

Our area is poised to step into a future of our own making and the time to make that happen is now. Here we sit, delicately balanced between the bright potential of economic growth and a demographic deficit potentially leaving us unable to deliver that future. A local decarbonised energy economy built on the back of 75 years of nuclear activity awaits and the challenge this brings with it, is how do we unlock the value to deliver a sustainable economy in the north Highlands for our communities and ultimately our future?

As has been publicised in national media earlier this month interpreting results from the September release of preliminary data from the 2021 census, the Highlands, and particularly rural areas such as Caithness have seen a fall in the younger population over the last decade or so which drives predictions of depopulation of 18% between 2018 and 2040 unless we act. So how do we develop, attract, and retain the skills and capability necessary to capitalise on the nuclear decommissioning activity locally and nationally, offshore renewables and emergent space sector of which Caithness and North Sutherland is the epicentre?

Although the direction of travel is promising, there are some challenges to be overcome. Recently, the Highland Council, a partner in Focus North, discussed two reports. One assessing the impact of depopulation, and a second on developing a strategy to enable a future workforce, the final version of which should be brought before the Council in May 2024. The paper refers to the Withers report produced for the Scottish Government earlier this year which describes ‘the current skills delivery landscape as complex and fragmented’ with several recommendations aimed at creating ‘a strong and fairer economy for all’.

How do we support working age repopulation in the area, to enable a sustainable economy? Well to first quote and then paraphrase the Withers report ‘our skills delivery landscape should aspire to be world class. It should be an area of distinct competitive advantage for Scotland’. For our area, working across the public sector and in partnership with the private sector locally, we have an opportunity to focus efforts and resources on creating a local skills agenda which creates an area of distinctive competitive advantage for northern Scotland. The time to make that happen is now.

Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce.

It’s late November, and thankfully COVID-19 no longer threatens to cast a shadow over festive celebrations as in previous years. But the lasting impact of the pandemic and its impact on our young people and indeed our young workforce is still something we are yet to fathom the full impact of.

During the peak of the pandemic youth unemployment in Scotland soared to 14.2% in Q3 of 2020[1] and the youth labour market shrank, as key sectors employing young people – tourism, hospitality, retail, leisure and entertainment – were hit with lockdowns and government restrictions. This led to a disproportionate number of young people in the 16-24 age group facing employment losses due to furlough, job losses and reduction in hours. This burden, coupled with social isolation, school and further education closures, missed experiences and loss of pivotal opportunities has led to significant and ongoing disadvantages for our younger generations, leaving many ill-prepared for the world of work through no fault of their own.

The COVID-19 crisis was unprecedented because it transcended all aspects of life. While we strove for a recovery, a slow steady process of finding a new normal, grieving and rebuilding, many people across professions and sectors struggled with the resilience required to ‘bounce back’. For our young people, at the cusp of adulthood and still finding their way in the world this task was, and still is enormous.

According to a YoungMinds survey 67%[2] of young people aged 13-25 years old believed that the pandemic would have a long-term negative effect on their mental health. Our own survey of North Highland pupils for the Focus North Conference[3], also highlighted our young people were struggling. In response to a question regarding personal skills to help prepare for the future, alarmingly 59.4% said confidence, 43.8% said stress or anxiety management and 38.8% motivation.

We are encouraging employers to be considerate of the challenges our young people are facing and understanding of the skills gaps and inexperience. Young people need to be empowered with the knowledge and tools in order to flourish independently, and we all have a part to play in ensuring this happens.

Developing Young Workforce (DYW) North Highland, led by Caithness Chamber of Commerce, has since 2015 played a significant role in ensuring young people have a work-relevant education experience. We have school coordinators embedded across all of the high schools in the North Highlands and we work in partnership with local employers to help shape their future workforce and deliver the Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG), which aims to connect every 16 to 24 year-olds in Scotland to an opportunity. The YPG Pledge is for all employers. In November DYW launched a simpler way for employers to show their support to young people through the Young Person’s Guarantee Pledge. The updated process includes businesses sharing their experiences and advocating on behalf of DYW and the YPG to help increase pledges and opportunities for young people. This could involve offering work placements and mock interviews, industry insights and awareness sessions, apprenticeships or simply promoting the Young Person’s Guarantee within business networks and supply chain and taking part in social media campaigns and DYW events.

We are incredibly grateful to have the support of so many fantastic employers across the North Highlands, committed to inspiring confidence, enabling relevant employability skills and supporting access to the workplace for young people in our region. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the businesses and employers who have engaged with DYW on our programme including skills sessions, career events, work placements, CV and mock interviews, workplace visits, mentoring and much more. The DYW North Highland team provide a vital link in strengthening partnerships between businesses and education providers and there are always plenty of opportunities to get involved, so if you haven’t already but want to find out more, just get in touch with us!

www.dywnh.scot

View from the board. Jennifer Simpson, Director, BBM Solicitors Ltd

At BBM we’re very committed to developing young people in the North Highlands and giving them the opportunity to explore law as a career.

There is a strong STEM focus in our region, which is fantastic, but we need to show our young people the breadth of opportunity available to them. That’s why we created a prize in Wick High School for the pupil who performs best in English and Social Subjects, and the winner also has the opportunity to join us for invaluable work experience with our solicitors in our Wick Office.

Real-world experiences are instrumental in inspiring our future generations and their future careers. We offer a range of work experience opportunities for students interested in studying law and summer placements for those already at university. We engage with young people throughout the school year by attending relevant career events, and assisting with several of the DYW North Highland initiatives such as delivering workshops with pupils keen to study law and supporting mock interviews. We have also provided informal mentoring for young people who have gone to study law to support their development and career choices as they progress through their studies.

We love to recruit locally whenever we can and keep great talent living in Caithness and serving their local communities. We have two qualified solicitors in our team who studied at Wick High School and joined us for several summer placements throughout university, completed their legal traineeships with us and then found their chosen specialisms at BBM.

We are committed to nurturing our talent.  Within the BBM team we have a former Wick High School Student who started with us in an office junior role and is now completing her studies to become a Conveyancing Paralegal.

DYW North Highland has been invaluable in helping develop some of the key transferable skills that help young people when they are taking their first steps into the office environment such as confidence, interviewing and presentation skills, but also core skills like how to answer the phone or use Microsoft Office which is something they don’t get the opportunity to do in the school environment. This helps push them ahead when it comes to gaining the confidence to help them succeed.

It is our responsibility as employers to help pave the way for our future workforce and there really is something every employer can do to support young people to thrive in the workplace. The impacts are far-reaching, and engaging with young people can bring all sorts of benefits to your business including growing your workforce, increased competitiveness, and meeting skills gaps.

[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/350464/scottish-rate-of-youth-unemployment/#:~:text=As%20of%20the%202nd%20quarter,percent%20in%20the%20previous%20quarter.

[2] https://www.youngminds.org.uk/media/esifqn3z/youngminds-coronavirus-report-jan-2021.pdf

[3] https://www.focusnorth.scot/wp-content/uploads/Focus-North-Opening-Presentation.pdf

November’s Executive Magazine is out now and we are delighted Caithness Chamber of Commerce Newsletter returns for its final outing of 2023 – jam-packed with the latest business news from our members across the North Highlands!

 

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Scottish Chamber of Commerce, Quarterly Economic Indictor Q3 2023 Reports: High interest rates preventing interest in Scottish economy.

• Interest rates fear rising: Concern over interest rates has seen a significant increase over the quarter, rising from 37% of firms in the last quarter to half of firms, which is a five-year survey high.
• Inflationary concerns easing: Concern over inflation remains high among all firms but has eased generally over the quarter down to 70% from 75% in the last quarter.
• Price rises easing slightly: Less firms are indicating that they will raise prices this quarter compared to last, with just under half of firms (48%) saying they will raise prices compared to 55% last quarter.
• Investment flatlining: While more firms continue to report rises in investment than falls on balance, over half (55%) have reported no changes to total investment, which is a five-year survey high.
• Training investment also flatlining: Over half of firms (57%) have also reported no changes to training investment levels, this is another five-year survey high.

Stephen Leckie, President of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“These results indicate challenging trading conditions for firms, with inflation, interest rates, and labour shortages preventing growth and delaying investment. For too many businesses, the priority is firmly stuck on survival.

“Whilst business confidence is starting to pick up from the low levels of 2022, this renewed optimism is not translating into sustained performance and output from firms necessary to get our economy firing again.

“If Scotland is to maintain its competitiveness domestically and internationally, direction and impetus is needed from government north and south of the border in upcoming budget statements. These must outline clear steps to support business which instil confidence for investment and help stimulate growth.”

On inflation and interest rates:

“Our data shows that firms are becoming more concerned of rises in interest rates, which are designed to suppress consumer spend and make borrowing more expensive, both of which significantly impact firms.

“Looking ahead, we would urge the Bank of England to provide clarity on the future direction of interest rates or begin to allow time for the lag between rate hikes and the full effect on spending to be fully observed, so that there is less risk of causing unnecessary economic damage.”

On investment:

“Scottish firms and indeed firms across the UK are actively pausing investment decisions.

“Businesses urgently require upcoming fiscal events to provide some respite for those struggling to survive and incentives for those looking to expand.

“To that end, we urge the Scottish Government to use the progress made through the New Deal for Business to demonstrate that it can listen to business and take action that will support growth, such as maintaining a fair personal taxation regime, reviewing non-domestic rates, and reducing regulation.”

On the upcoming Autumn Statement:

“Scottish firms will be looking to the upcoming Autumn Statement for the UK Government to play its part in unlocking investment. Pro-business measures are urgently needed. For example, reinstating the reduction in VAT for hospitality and tourism, putting in place a five-year rolling guarantee on the full expensing tax allowance, and removing the 10% tax hike on Scotch Whisky now in effect as announced in the Spring Budget.”

On the labour market:

“While recruitment difficulties have broadly stabilised for firms, they are still significant and labour continues to be the leading source of cost pressures as a result of wage settlements and pressures.

“These challenges demonstrate the importance of further measures to support firms recruiting and help people back into work.

“Policymakers must do more to help businesses invest to tackle the skills crisis and, at the same time, find ways to ease sectoral labour supply pinch points, through training programmes and opening up the immigration system to plug the gaps in the workforce.”

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View from the Board. Stephen Sutherland, Chairman of Caithness Chamber of Commerce & Director JGC Engineering and Technical Services.

Connectivity is vital for north Highlands to prosper.

At the beginning of this month, we held our Annual General Meeting reflecting on the activity of the Chamber during the past year.  For the first time we were in the Royal Thurso Hotel and several of our members, myself included, reminisced on many happy times there in days gone by, and we were delighted to be back.  There was a warm welcome from the General Manager and staff, and it was refreshing to hear of forthcoming plans and upgrades to the hotel.

As we settle into Autumn, with its stretched shadows and crisp embrace, the year too reaches its final stretch. The changing seasons mirror our own need to evaluate and adapt, and at our AGM we reflected earnestly on the extremely challenging and increasingly harsh business environment.

Despite the challenging political landscape, we have never shied away from raising the issues that matter most to our business community to decision-makers in Holyrood and Westminster either directly or working with our Scottish Chambers of Commerce colleagues. We challenged government over ill-thought-out and burdensome regulations such as the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and alcohol advertising restrictions; and we have continued to champion the Wick/Aberdeen PSO, for which we fought so hard.

At our Annual Dinner in September, a keynote address given by Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, again praised the creativity and resilience of the North Highland businesses community. The speech echoed concerns felt across our region, with threats to connectivity and failures to harness the vast economic potential voiced loudly.

Looking ahead, our membership remains our priority and as a Chamber community, we will continue our commitment to face rising challenges head-on, advocating for the North Highland business community.

We are continually grateful for the support of our membership as we close off another Annual Review and you can rest assured, we will not rest on our laurels, despite the challenges we all face.

We are a resilient business community and as our strapline says we are stronger together.

Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce.

Working together gives voice to our region.

Reflecting on the past 12 months, it is clear we have experienced an extremely challenging and increasingly harsh business environment. The damaging legacy of the pandemic, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, spiralling interest rates, material, labour and energy costs, alongside the increased cost of debt, mean many businesses are fighting to stand still amid significant and ongoing economic uncertainty.

Resilience is again the reigning theme when we look at how our members have dealt with the multitude of challenges we have encountered in this past year, a testament indeed to the extraordinary dedication, ingenuity, and resourcefulness of our business community. We have learnt that we are stronger when we work together and that’s particularly important for a business membership and economic landscape as diverse as our own.

Centred at the heart of the North Highland business community, Caithness Chamber of Commerce is here to support businesses at all stages of their journey.

It had been a busy year during 2022/23 for the Caithness Chamber, we were delighted that our membership continued to grow, and we now represent and support over 226 businesses across all sizes and sectors.

In August 2022 we were delighted to welcome two new Diamond Premier Partners, West of Orkney Windfarm and Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm. We have been working closely with each over this past year to forge early supply chain engagement to help maximise opportunities locally and prepare for these transformational projects which will inform investment in our future skills, economy and infrastructure.

We added to our exemplary fund management portfolio with the appointment of the Chamber as Fund Administrator for the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund (CNSF).  Contracts like this help to sustain the Chamber and allow us to deliver more for the business community.

Entrepreneurship and business support were also at the forefront of our activities. I was delighted to support Thurso High School Young Enterprise Team “Social-Eyes” whose creativity and innovation secured them a spot in the UK Finals with their scavenger hunt bingo game.

We also continued to deliver a diverse portfolio of support to businesses through our business support and mentoring programme funded by Dounreay, advising on topics such as funding applications, marketing and tendering.  It was encouraging and positive to see businesses invest in apprenticeships during the year with the support of the Caithness Business Fund.  A significant commitment to invest in the future and the next generation.  As we moved into a new financial year in June, we have seen this trend continue.

Lobbying and campaigning remain a key aspect of the Chamber, being the ‘Voice’ of business in the reported year was no different.

Connectivity is a major factor in securing economic growth, attracting new opportunities, and employment and sustaining flourishing communities for our region and future generations.

With no proposed major investments in our roads or rail infrastructure on the horizon which offer meaningful reduction in journey times in the short to medium term, or alternative solutions which connect our region physically to markets and opportunities, our airport is an essential component to keeping us connected. With funding from government for the PSO from Wick at serious risk, we find ourselves again lobbying and campaigning to secure a vital piece of infrastructure.

However, despite the challenges, it has been a rewarding year. It has been a great privilege to work alongside our members to ensure the voice of the North Highland business community is heard and I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of our members.

Read the Caithness Chamber Annual Review 2022 / 23

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The best of Scottish business was celebrated at a reception at Edinburgh Castle last night.

Attended by over 100 senior business leaders, the event showcased the immense contributions made by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce network in supporting businesses to grow and invest in local communities and highlighted Scotland’s place on the world stage in securing net zero opportunities and expanding international prospects.

First Minister Humza Yousaf praised the work of the network and said collaboration between business and government will boost investment, exports and entrepreneurship.

He said:

“The Scottish Government I lead is absolutely committed to unleashing the country’s enormous economic potential. We are using the powers at our disposal to contribute to boosting international investment and unlocking the wealth of investment opportunities we have in Scotland – measures such issuing our first ever bond to finance key infrastructure support that ambition.

“Scottish Chambers of Commerce and its wider network plays an important contribution to seizing Scotland’s economic and investment opportunities, particularly through the support it offers to local businesses and helping promote the significant exporting opportunities many businesses across Scotland have.

“I look forward to continuing to engage with the many Scottish businesses which are investing and innovating in Scotland, as well as supporting our commitment to an economy that is fair, green and growing.”

Stephen Leckie, President of Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“I was delighted to welcome businesses from every part of Scotland to the Scottish Business Reception at Edinburgh Castle. From the cities to the Highlands and a wide cross-sector of companies from energy, manufacturing, tourism, retail, finance, space, education and more, the event was a great celebration of Scotland’s business community.

“From expanding our international trade and exporting opportunities and accelerating our solutions to reaching net zero, the Chamber Network in Scotland and across the world are leading from the front and we look forward to collaborating with the Scottish Government to achieve our shared ambitions.”

Ian Kinnaird, Drax’s Scottish Assets Director, said:

“This event showcased the breadth and depth of talent that exists in Scotland’s business community, and Drax was very proud to support it.

“Scotland has all the right attributes to become a global leader in renewable energy and with the right government support, we can continue to harness the power of wind and water to deliver a sustainable future for our environment and our communities.

“That’s why at Drax we are progressing plans to invest more than £500 million in the UK’s first new pumped storage hydro plant in a generation at our existing Cruachan facility, near Oban. It will not only make our power grid greener and more secure, but it will provide a huge boost to the local economy.”

We were delighted to once again celebrate the Highland Business Awards, organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce.

Hundreds of guests gather in the Kingsmill Hotel, Inverness to celebrate and hear incredibly inspiring stories from businesses across the Highland Region.

Caithness Chamber of Commerce CEO Trudy Morris was part of the awards judging panel, and we were proud to sponsor the Award for Resilience, which was awarded to Loch Ness by Jacobite. Operating successfully within the current climate is increasingly challenging, so sponsorship of the Business Award for Resilience is incredibly poignant.

Among the array of awards, Inverness-based mechanical and renewable business, RI Cruden was crowned Highland Business of the Year and Alasdair Ferguson of Ferguson Transport & Shipping was awarded the prestigious title of Business Leader of the Year.

The full list of Highland Business Awards’ winners 2023:

Innovation

Highland Home Carers

Resilience

Loch Ness by Jacobite

Environmental Sustainability

RI Cruden

Global Growth

Oakwood Cooperage

Digital Initiative

Inverness Taxis

Workforce Upskilling

Highland Campervans

Employee Wellbeing

teclan

Community Engagement

GlenWyvis Distillery

Employer of the Year

Drumossie Hotel

Young Employee of the Year

Jacques Huysamer – Gael Force Group

Business Leader of the Year

Alasdair Ferguson – Ferguson Transport & Shipping

Highland Business of the Year

RI Cruden

Trudy Morris, Chief Executive, Caithness Chamber of Commerce.  Leverage your strengths by amplifying your businesses unique selling points.

In the current climate, all aspects of running a business can feel like a risk. The latest Quarterly Economic Indicator published by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce in June, highlights that persistent economic uncertainty is forcing businesses to put investment decisions on hold. Signalling a challenging prospect for medium and long-term growth, and overshadowing performance across the business community.

The ability to respond swiftly to a volatile and complex business environment, with the intention not only to survive but to thrive is a key factor to success when times are tough – but the ever-present challenge remains, how do you stay relevant in a world that is constantly changing?

It can be tempting to experiment with lots of new ideas, products or services in difficult times in the hope that something works. Or on the opposite end of the spectrum feel stuck and overwhelmed by the pressures of uncertainty and the mere fight to keep the lights on.

Experimentation and risk can of course be rewarding, but to maximise potential for success it’s important to know what you stand for, where your strengths lie, and of course, where you outperform competitors.

Separating your business from the pack is a key factor for success, but how do you ensure your business stands out from the crowd?

My advice is to hone in on your bespoke selling points, your core ethos and what makes your business unique. Every business has an individual story that sets it apart. Use this to leverage your strengths and amplify your authentic business voice; emphasising your vision, values, and journey to create a connection with customers that resonates beyond transaction. A compelling narrative can captivate your audience, drive sales and help build loyalty.

In the North Highlands, we tend towards humility, keeping quiet about our talents and accomplishments – as the saying goes “to hide our light under a bushel”, but our thriving and resilient business community has plenty to celebrate and shout about! In a crowded marketplace, and today’s rapidly changing world – it’s more important than ever that your business stands out, confidence in your story is key to this!

We are delighted to be working with communications specialists, Nicky Marr and Kate Hooper, on a one-day intensive workshop this September which will explore exactly this.

Supporting our members and the local business community to succeed and thrive is a key objective of the Caithness Chamber, and we offer a diverse range of support to businesses in the North Highlands. From events and access to funding, through to our business support programme and continued advocacy work, we offer a unique opportunity to access expert knowledge, advice and network opportunities. Times may be uncertain, but Chamber membership is something you can rely on.

Fiona Levack, Business Development Manager, Caithness Chamber of Commerce. Stand out from the crowd and tell your business story!

Part of my core role at the Caithness Chamber is to develop our programme of events, tailored to the needs of our members. From our annual dinner to our supply chain events and business development and skills-sharing events, there is never a dull moment! Recently I have had the pleasure of working with two Highland businesswomen, each with many decades of experience in media, who have joined forces to develop ‘Tell your business story with confidence’, a workshop for North Highland businesses.

I took the opportunity to talk to them about what their interactive workshop will cover and how will it benefit our business members.

Kate Hooper, who is a former Senior BBC Producer and co-director of Inverness-based StrategyStory, explained: “There are four key elements; Connecting with business audiences, working out your business story, getting your pitch sorted, and Telling your business story with confidence.”

Kate has teamed up with broadcaster, writer, coach, and event host Nicky Marr to create and deliver the session.

Kate said: “We are combining our different experiences in media and communications to bring a unique day which gives business leaders ‘time out’ from the day-to-day running of their businesses, to focus on how they reach and convince potential clients, customers, and stakeholders of the merits of doing business with them.

“We get it. You’re already working more than full time on your business, so there’s little time to lift your head and think, strategically, about how to reach new audiences.”

“This day will give a business a full day to think about their business story and focus on how they will use that story to reach new customers, attract new markets, and ultimately boost the bottom line.”

Nicky added: “Working out how to communicate clearly and concisely what a business does, and the impact it can have on others, is an entirely different set of skills from what a business might usually do. Taking a day out to think through their approach and story could be the best investment a business could make this year”

Delegates will leave with a beautifully crafted business pitch and new-found confidence and presentation skills, which they can put to immediate use.””

To find out more visit: https://www.caithnesschamber.com/events/tell-your-business-story-with-confidence-with-nicky-marr-and-kate-hooper/

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce calls for extension of the Wick-Aberdeen PSO, during keynote address during the 49^th Caithness Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

In the speech to Caithness Chamber of Commerce members and the North Highland business community, Dr Liz Cameron CBE, called for:

• An extension of the Wick-Aberdeen Public Service Obligation (PSO) to provide certainty of connectivity for businesses and residents of the North Highlands.
• The business community, public sector, and others, to get round the table to agree on a minimum of 10 years support to develop and build up this commercial asset for the long-term.
• Government to ensure that equality and fairness are enshrined in major policy areas such as connectivity, energy, and housing, recognising the North Highlands as a major powerhouse of Scotland’s economy.

Commenting, Dr Liz Cameron CBE, said:

“In my visit to Caithness and the North Highlands, l was inspired by the creativity and resilience of local businesses who have consistently felt isolated in more ways than one in recent years. Threats to connectivity, housing shortages, failure to make full use of its vast economic potential, are all concerns voiced by businesses in the region.

“It is clear that these businesses deserve leadership and partnership which ensures that the diverse economy, and future of their communities continue to attract, retain and build on fantastic enterprises and investment.  We call upon the key players to get around the table and make it happen. This part of the world is ready to be a central powerhouse for many future industries, but it needs action taken now to ensure that it won’t be left behind with no repeat of the mistakes of the past.”

The lifeline air service between Wick John O’Groats and Aberdeen airports is operated under a Public Service Obligation (PSO) between The Highland Council and Eastern Airways. The return of scheduled air services culminated on April 11 2022, with the first flight to Aberdeen leaving Wick Airport since March 2020.

Caithness Chamber of Commerce, with funding from Dounreay, developed the original business case for the PSO from Wick John O’Groats Airport, and alongside key stakeholders has continued to play a pivotal role in the partnership efforts to safeguard, develop and grow the service.

Grave concerns have been raised following indication from Transport Scotland to stakeholders that commitment made for the final year of financial support for the service, until April 2026, will now need to be re-justified beyond the previously agreed stipulation of increase in passenger numbers.

Providing access to vital business, leisure and healthcare opportunities, the service is predicted to carry over 11,000 passengers during the 2023/24 funding period, forecasting a forecasting a rise of between 20 and 25% on 2022/23 figures.

Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said:

“Air connectivity is vital to businesses and communities across the North Highlands and it remains clear that this is an essential component in the overall transport connectivity to and from the region.

Connectivity is a major factor in securing economic growth, attracting new opportunities, employment and sustaining flourishing communities for our region, and indeed imperative for retaining our future generations.

Our region is one of the most diverse economies in Scotland and we deserve both the equity and the stability to be able to maximise and build upon the opportunities presented to us. Air connectivity is crucial to this, the PSO must reflect confidence in the long-term vision of our region.”

During her visit to Caithness, Dr Liz Cameron CBE met with Drew Murray of Far North Aviation, which has provided aircraft handling services at Wick John O’Groats Airport since 1991 including refuelling for the significant levels of ferry flights which layover at the airport.

Liz also spent time with joint managing directors Gavin and Scott Bremner of Ashley Ann at the state-of-the-art kitchen manufacturing facility and trade showroom in Wick. A major local employer with an overall workforce of over 200 staff, Ashley Ann’s bespoke designer kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms are exported across the UK through its nine retail showrooms, independent and kitchen retailers and directly to property developers and house builders.