Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Canny investment makes Highlands a prime location

Post Thumbnail

Economic recovery and “canny” investment has ensured that the Highlands is now a “prime” location for successful business, a business leader has claimed.

Eleanor Neilson, president of the Inverness Chamber of Commerce and a director of marketing company Dynam, also hailed “significant” growth in membership of the business organisation in the last year.

Ms Neilson addressed over 350 members of the business group and their guests at the chamber’s flagship annual Highland Business Dinner.

The special guest speaker for the evening was Micheal Portillo, broadcaster and former Conservative cabinet minister.

In her speech Ms Neilson gave a summary of the chamber’s achievements in the past year, including the launch of a new programme, Inverness Chamber International, designed to help members take advantage of export opportunities.

In the last year, the number of companies that export in the Highlands & Islands has increased by 50%, she noted.

The group also achieved British Chamber of Commerce Accreditation, enabling it to offer additional membership benefits.

Ms Neilson said: “Our efforts have resulted in significant growth, with Inverness Chamber membership currently standing at over 400.”

Stewart Nicol, Chief Executive of the chamber, said that the group has enjoyed membership increases most years but 2013’s 40% boost showed particular progress.

He added that last night’s event at the Drumossie Hotel was “stretched to capacity” due to unusually strong demand for tickets.

She said: “It’s now clear, with the Highland economy in recovery, and after several years of canny investment in infrastructure and new industry, that the Highlands is becoming established as a prime location for successful business.

“Our area has proved to be a magnet for progressive industries and innovative new businesses, delivering landmark achievements in renewable energy, life sciences, marine biotechnology and business services.

“These emerging sectors, together with successful tourism, food and drink and creative industries, are helping to build and enrich the region’s diverse economy.”