Business Gateway - Specialist Teams

In Business Gateway Highland & Moray we've just formed a few specialist teams from within our ranks looking at key sectors to the Highland econonomy.  I'm on the "Creative Industries" and (unsurprisingly, some might say) the "Food & Drink" teams.

The aim is not to substitute for any of our hard-working partner organisations but just to find a way of finding out what's going on in each of these sectors, identify the key players and then passing this information on to our colleagues and clients. Similarly, each team can pass on details of Business Gateway activities to the relevant suppoprt agencies; hopefully avoiding duplication and gaps.

The Creative Industries group had brief meeting yesterday and we were pleased to welcome Gordon Brown of "Brown's Gallery" who gave us some pointers about existing support provision, his own concerns and his work with North Highland Connections.

If anyone out there connected with the Creative Industries (or Food & Drink sector) wants to make any comments about how Business Gateway can help or just wants to keep us posted on any events and activities, please don't hesitate to contact me.

HIE Food & Drink Strategy Forum - 21 June 2012

HIE has organised a Food & Drink Strategy Forum to be held at Cowan House, Inverness on 21 June 2012.

"Organised as part of the Smart Exporter programme, this free to attend forum is designed to highlight the importance of developing an international strategy and raise awareness of the support available to companies, giving them the best chance of achieving their international ambitions. 

Benefits to companies attending this forum: 

• Understanding the importance of preparation and planning before embarking on international growth 
• Sharing experiences, concerns, challenges and opportunities with like-minded business leaders from the food and drink sector 
• Learning about the support available through Smart Exporter...."

For more information: Link

Lucy is Young Ambassador of the Year

Lucy Midgely-Smith (left) Collects Her Award

Lucy Midgely-Smith has been named as "Young Ambassador of the Year" at the 2011 Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards.  Lucy (a student who, incidentally, probably makes the finest cocktails in the North) has been trained well by her parents - who own the Crannag Bistro in Bonar Bridge.

For the full list of winners, follow this link

Food & Drink Seminar, Dingwall, 24 August 2010

UHI HI Links is holding a lunchtime seminar at Tulloch Castle, Dingwall on Tuesday 24th August.  It is aimed at the Food & Drink sector and those businesses looking for help on developing new products and marketing.  Keynote speakers will be from Food Innovation (University of Abertay) and Food Marketing (Scottish Agricultural College).

Registration is from 1130am. A light lunch will be served at 1.15pm.

For more information please contact Charlotte Ball, tel: 01463 279368