Trio of Orkney business experts to steer innovation funding across Scotland’s islands

Three Orkney industry experts have been selected to shape new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, businesses and third-sector organisations to develop and grow their ideas across Scotland’s islands.

Heriot-Watt University has appointed the experts to its Industry Advisory Board for its ‘innovation and commercialisation project’ – one of the key strands of the wider TalEntEd Islands Programme.

The TalEntEd Islands Programme is funded by the Scottish and UK Governments through the £100 million Islands Growth Deal and offers innovation funding and dedicated support to help island organisations turn ideas into reality.

The board will be responsible for reviewing applications and making decisions on funding awards, as well as ensuring applicants benefit from their experience and know-how, and expert support from the wider business, academic and innovation ecosystem.

Representing Orkney on the six-person board will be:

• Matthew Finn, managing director for the European Marine Energy Centre
• Alister Brown, senior innovation manager with Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• Margaret Keenan, senior relationship manager with the Royal Bank of Scotland

Matthew Finn said: “Orkney has shown how island communities can lead the way in testing and adopting new technologies, from marine energy to clean transport.

“This programme builds on that track record by giving businesses and community groups the funding, expertise and support they need to turn ambitious ideas into reality.”

The TalEntEd Islands Programme is delivered in collaboration with the University of the Highlands & Islands, which leads on the development of work-based learning and Robert Gordon University, which leads on the growth of entrepreneurship, across Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.

The board will be chaired by Steven Coutts, CEO of Shetland social enterprise COPE Ltd.

The other members of the board are Daniel Gear, managing director of Shetland-based Voar Energy Ltd, and Margaret Ann Macleod, CEO of Harris Tweed Hebrides and chair of Stornoway Port.

Professor Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal of Business and Enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, said: “Our Industry Advisory Board brings together a hugely experienced group of leaders who understand the opportunities and challenges of island economies.

“With their guidance, and through the blend of funding, academic expertise, and practical business support, this project will accelerate the journey from idea to adoption – helping the islands to become leaders in sustainable innovation.”

The Heriot-Watt team will focus on supporting innovators and enterprises to develop or adopt new products, services and processes that could strengthen local economies, bring lasting benefits to island communities and help realise the ambition for the islands to be among the first places in the UK to achieve net zero.

What support is available?

The programme offers innovation grants of £5,000 and £25,000, plus academic collaboration, business development support and connections into Scotland’s innovation ecosystem.

Applications for the first round of awards are now open.

How to get involved

Whether your idea is emerging or well developed, the essential first step is to email talentedwp3@hw.ac.uk.

The team will be back in touch to set up a conversation to confirm that this support is right for you.

For more information, visit https://www.hw.ac.uk/research-enterprise/innovation/funding-innovation-partnerships/innovation-support-for-island-enterprises.