Inverness-based marine and aquaculture support business Gael Force will be able to progress with global expansion ambitions thanks to Royal Bank of Scotland support
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INVERNESS headquartered aquaculture business Gael Force Group is set to go ahead with ambitious growth plans thanks to support from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Originally established in 1983 by Stewart Graham in Stornoway as a creel manufacturer, the business now employs over 200 staff based in Scotland, England and Canada and is focussed on expanding into global markets, while at the same time increasing local jobs and opportunities in its home area.
Key to these plans is a multi-million pound aquaculture research and development investment to deliver improved fish health, reduced predation, and create a greener, more carbon friendly way of producing farmed fish.
To enable the necessary investment, the Royal Bank of Scotland has offered a flexible support package including working capital loans to allow a multifaceted approach to growth.
Group finance director Robert Foster said: “For almost 40 years, we have been driven to partner with our customers, whether it be the established salmon farmer or the hard-working local fishing community – so we know the importance of lasting, trusted relationships.
"It’s something we have in common with the team at Royal Bank of Scotland. They understand our vision and our shared sentiment for sustainable growth, and we are confident this is the beginning of a fruitful and lasting partnership.”
Barry Fraser, relationship director at Royal Bank of Scotland, said “As a business and as partners of COP26, Royal Bank of Scotland places a huge importance on sustainability – and the growth plans set out by Gael Force Group reinforced how keen we are to support them on this journey.
’The company has delivered consistent growth since being established in 1983, and we are looking forward to working with the management team to help deliver their strategy in the years to come.”
The business has also led an initiative and made significant charitable donations of seed money and resource into the development of plans for a world-leading visitor centre in the Group’s former hometown of Stornoway, to commemorate the Iolaire tragedy of 1919.
It is hoped the Iolaire Centre will act as a catalyst for the town’s regeneration plan and harbour development, a key economic driver for the wider island community.
