We listened and responded to concerns

“The arrangements will protect and enhance their unique service”

Over the last few months we have listened closely to a wide range of views, including those of The Press and Journal and others in the Highlands and Islands, and have heard that more can be done within the existing HIE board structure to drive forward positive change.

These views, together with the recent recommendations from HIE’s chairman Professor Lorne Crerar, have led to our decision that the HIE board should remain and we will not bring forward legislation to change the name, functions or structures of HIE or the other agency boards.

The Enterprise and Skills Review process is, and was always intended to be consultative, and we will continue to listen to parliament and others as we progress this work to enhance our enterprise and skills system.

We need to create a system of enterprise and skills support that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The HIE, Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland boards will remain.

The strategic board will include chairs from each agency, and will help our agencies transform the services, skills and the support necessary for business and individuals across Scotland to be successful. As I have previously promised, HIE will continue to be locally-based, managed and directed, and the new arrangements will protect and enhance their unique service.

Our central aims remain unchanged. We want our agencies to work closely together to drive forward a step change in productivity and to deliver strong, vibrant and inclusive growth.

Introducing a strategic board will assist the four agency boards to align their services through greater collaboration, innovation and common purpose. We will also introduce a new vehicle for the south of Scotland as we recognise there are different enterprise and skills needs in that area. We have been listening to businesses and recognise the vital contribution HIE and the three other agencies make to our economy, and we must not lose sight of this review’s aims to further the impact of the investment we make on economic and skills development in Scotland.

By enhancing our enterprise and skills services we are boosting the economy and working towards our ambition of ranking among the top quartile of OECD countries in terms of productivity, equality, wellbeing and sustainability.

I would like to thank The Press and Journal and your readers for getting involved.

Despite tough, external challenges, the Scottish economy continues to perform and we remain committed to building on these efforts.

TALKING POINT: Keith Brown thanked P&J readers for taking part in the debate over HIE and its base – seen in montage – in Inverness