No of Sutherland Starts April 2011 to Date: 21 (11% of Highland)
Number of Sutherland Client Registrations since April 2009: 267
Number of Sutherland business starts since April 2009: 95
The Author
(photo: Clive Grewcock)
What does a Regional Development Officer do?
I'm David Knight and I'm one of several Business Gateway Regional Development Officers based around the Highland Council and Moray areas. I've been in post since April 2009; before that I was the Regional Manager for The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT).
It's my role to assist potential, new and existing enterprises to find the most relevant form of support; through direct business advice, formal training courses, funding, specialist advice and referral to partner organisations both locally and further afield. It's also important for us to arrange and support networking opportunities for the area's businesses.
As part of my Gateway work, I also have the remit for supporting youth enterprise and creative industry initiatives; working with partners across the Highlands to assist young people and the creative sector to develop business ideas and ventures.
Business Gateway
Business Gateway in Highland is managed by Highland Opportunity Limited, an Enterprise Trust owned by the Highland Council.
About Business Gateway
The Gateway was launched officially in Highland & Moray in September 2009 and offers a first point of call to all enterprises for support in starting or developing a business.
It is a Scottish Government initiative, managed here by Highland Opportunity and the Highland Council, and strives to reflect and respond to local needs and ambitions.
We can provide one-to-one support, training, access a team of special advisers, and we can direct clients to the most appropriate sources of funding and specialist support.
Gateway in Highland & Moray prides itself on being open and readily available to discuss any venture, even at the earliest stages. We are a relatively new organisation in Highland and we are continually developing new support initiatives for Highland businesses. We therefore welcome any constructive feedback from clients and partner organisations on how we can take this development process further. Feel free to contact us.
Highland Opportunity
The Enterprise Trust for the Highlands
The Highland Council
The Prince's Youth Business Trust Scotland
Helps young people across Scotland to start and develop their own businesses