The North Highland Initiative (NHI), the physique behind the profitable North Coast 500 driving route, is searching for a brand new chief to information the charity over the following three years.
The NHI is in search of a brand new non-executive chair and part-time chief govt to succeed David Whiteford OBE, who was chairman of NHI for 12 years, having taken over from Lord MacLennan in 2009.
The charity was established in 2005 as a direct results of His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay’s involvement in bringing collectively the farming neighborhood, native companies and the tourism trade to attempt to deal with a few of the challenges going through rural communities within the far north of Scotland by creating a robust regional identification for the world.
It operates throughout the counties of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross and Cromarty, serving to companies and communities turn into sustainable. Its three key areas of exercise are meals and farming, tourism and neighborhood assist and management.
Throughout his time as chairman, Mr Whiteford led the charity in its concentrate on constructing neighborhood, the constructed atmosphere and tourism within the north Highlands, together with the event of the Mey Choices Highland foods and drinks model and serving to to safe the long run future for household farms and crofts in some of the fragile components of Europe.
The group’s achievements embrace securing a beef and lamb contract with main grocery store, Sainsbury’s, supporting and making a collection of occasions to have a good time tradition, heritage, foods and drinks and non-food merchandise all through north Highland space, together with the Highland Army Tattoo at Fort George and numerous farmers markets.
NHI additionally instigated the transfer of Mey Highland Video games from Mey to John o’ Groats, growing the variety of attendees from round 300 to over 3000, together with the primary ever worldwide Para Highland video games involving a group from Assist for Heroes.
It has additionally introduced worldwide recognition to the area as one of many co-founders of the North Coast 500 (NC500) idea in 2014. The affect of NC500 has been transformational for north Highland tourism, creating greater than £20 million extra tourism spend per 12 months.
Along with Westminster Estates, NHI has co-sponsored Countryside Studying Scotland to undertake a faculties growth challenge serving to college youngsters turn into conscious of the land-based employment alternatives that exist inside their communities within the north Highland area.
NHI was additionally instrumental in a significant neighborhood broad neighborhood session on the long run for Brora, in addition to an initiative to create and enhance well being and wellbeing for locals and guests alike on the John O’Groats Path.
Mr Whiteford, mentioned: “I’m extraordinarily proud to have led the North Highland Initiative over this time and I’m grateful to the various people and organisations who’ve helped to make it a hit.”
Since retiring from NHI on the finish of March, Mr Whiteford has taken up the function of group chairman of the newly fashioned Highland Coast Motels which incorporates Kylesku Lodge; the Royal Marine Lodge, Brora, and the Royal Golf Lodge, Dornoch.
The NHI choice panel is now searching for a brand new non-executive chair and a part-time chief govt, each with a deep understanding for the North Highlands and a ardour for its communities and their continued success, along with a capability to work intently with its companions throughout the North Highlands.
NHI board member David Hughes mentioned: “We’re extraordinarily grateful to David for his dedication, dedication and management of NHI during the last 12 years and need him each success in his new function at Highland Coast Motels.
“Beneath David’s management, NHI has made vital progress during the last decade and we’ve got lots to be happy with. We’re now trying ahead to the following ten years and would welcome purposes from anybody who feels they’ve what it takes to steer the charity into the following part of its growth.”
Folks inquisitive about making use of for the place of non-executive chair and part-time chief govt of North Highland Initiative ought to apply in writing, sending CV and canopy letter to Lorraine MacDonald, North Highland Initiative, 13 Harbour Terrace, Wick, KW1 5HB by Monday, August 16.
For extra details about the North Highland Initiative, please go to www.northhighlandinitiative.co.uk
