GRANT CAMPBELL: Environmental and health commitments are there, but engagement with Highland businesses is required

March has been a busy month for business events, and it has been great to meet so many of our members on my travels throughout the region.

With so many sectors and industries represented within our membership, we have been supporting a wide range of the regional challenges through our policy work and engagement with both UK and Scottish governments.

It was pleasing to hear from the SNP leadership candidates on their priorities at the Inverness Courier Leadership Debate.

While the region is blessed with an unprecedented level of opportunities for social and economic prosperity, we still face considerable challenges to unlocking the full potential due to a shortage of skilled people, ageing or unsuitable infrastructure, digital connectivity limitations in rural areas and inadequate healthcare provisions. These were all areas that the candidates acknowledged as regional priorities, and we look forward to working with the new First Minister to progress this agenda.

Businesses continue to face challenges from the pandemic. The wellbeing of staff has been in sharp focus at recent events. Our members have people at the core of their purpose, and it has been great to learn how they are developing and supporting their staff where mental health or the new ways of hybrid working are presenting challenges within organisations.

Members within the food and drinks industries continue to see growth and demand for their products around the world but have had their recent challenges with new initiatives such as the Deposit Return Scheme and alcohol advertising causing uncertainty. Everyone is committed to environmental and health ambitions for our planet and people, but only through meaningful engagement can the right solutions be delivered.

Later this week, SCDI’s International Business Committee is leading a trade mission to Brussels. The delegation will convene representatives from higher education, finance, energy, legal and the food and drink industries from across SCDI’s pan-Scotland membership to consider how we can reignite trade relationships with organisations in the EU and remove barriers for trade and investment.

Grant Campbell is SCDI’s regional manager for the Highlands and Islands.

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