Jess joins business programme
A Fort William businesswoman has joined 20 other young entrepreneurs from the Highlands and islands on a year-long support programme.
Outdoor instructor Jess Philip, who also runs Dipper Paddle Boarding, is taking part in the latest programme.
IMPACT30 is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and delivered by business skills training consultancy Skillfluence.
The fully-funded business growth programme for people aged 35 and under who are in key decision-making roles offers bespoke support from industry specialists.
This is the eighth group to start the programme since it launched in 2018. IMPACT30 provides innovative training designed to challenge, support and inspire participants to build successful businesses.
Jess said: “I love the idea of having a community of other businesses, which will be great for networking and sharing ideas.
“I want to attract more international paddlers, so I’d like to develop a strategy for the next few years with the help of the programme.”
IMPACT30 forms part of the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH), which is funded with £11 million from UK Government, £1.2m ERDF and £2m from HIE. NIH is part of the Inverness and Highland City Region deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
The IMPACT30 programme was originally offered to enterprises in the Highland Council area. HIE has provided additional funding to ensure the programme is now offered to organisations across the Highlands and islands.