Weekly Update, 22nd April 2013

Energy/ Business Services:

Scrabster Harbour Trust has this week announced an agreement with NorSea Group, a major Norwegian oil & gas services company, that is expected will lead to major investment and new job prospects for the local economy. NorSea operates nine supply bases along the coast of Norway, but this will be its first Scottish base. NorSea Group work with Scrabster Harbour Trust “to bring in new business and develop Scotland’s most northerly mainland port as a one-stop supply base servicing the oil and gas industry.” NorSea CEO John E Stangeland also says that the company is “very optimistic about opportunities which may arise from the emerging marine renewables sector as the company’s skills, expertise and operational model will be well suited to meet the needs of this sector.” CNSRP Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver has welcomed the news at http://www.cnsrp.org.uk/2013/04/24/cnsrp-welcomes-new-investment-at-scrabster/ highlighting the forward vision of the Scrabster Board and the confirmation it provides that the area is “the right place, the right time” for the energy sector. (See also communications below).

The Crown Estate has this week launched a new website that aims to function as a knowledge base to support industry collaboration in the wave and tidal industry.  http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/news-media/news/2013/new-wave-and-tidal-knowledge-sharing-hub-launched/

HIE has this week launched an interactive map that highlights the number of people working in the energy sector across the Highlands & Islands. www.hi-energy.org.uk/map.htm

Enabling Activities:

I met this week with Jennifer Irvine, the Wick-based Development Officer for Business Gateway, and discussed the continuing strong demand for Business Gateway services in the north, both in terms of new business start-ups and existing company growth.

Communications:

As part of an ongoing process of helping communicate progress with the delivery of aspects of our economic transition programme CNSRP’s partners work together to generate news stories for local, regional and national media. I also speak on a regular basis to individuals and organisations across the area to update on progress. This week:

• Following the news this week that Icetech Freezers Ltd has gone into liquidation, Skills Development Scotland is leading a multi-partner response that will offer support and advice to affected workers, aiming to move them back into employment as quickly as possible. An event for those affected will be held on Friday 3^rd May.
• Local welcome for the news that Scrabster Harbour Trust has signed an agreement with Norsea is covered in this week’s John O’Groat Journal, and includes a comment from CNSRP Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver.  http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/News/NorSea-deal-to-create-jobs-at-Scrabster-24042013.htm
• Wick-based KP Technology is celebrating a second success in the Queen’s Award for Industry, following an award in 2008. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/News/Hi-tech-firm-wins-second-Queens-Award-24042013.htm
• Caithness Chamber of Commerce’s recent attendance at the “Best of Britain & Ireland” Exhibition continues to bear fruit: the most recent example is coverage of the area’s tourism assets in Coach Monthly, the magazine read by the coach tourism industry. http://coachmonthly.com/Coach%20Monthly%20Issues/CM-April-2013/?utm_source=Caithness+Chamber+of+Commerce+Newsletter&utm_campaign=3a7867b2d6-Chamber+e-News+2013-04-04&utm_medium=email#/80/