HIE pledges to help north through the coronavirus crisis

BUSINESSES and communities across the north will continue to receive the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) throughout the coronoavirus crisis, the development organisation's interim chief executive has promised.

Writing on the HIE website, Carroll Buxton says that HIE realises this is a worrying time for its clients and the wider community, but reassures clients that the organisation is working with its partners and government to do everything it can to support the region during this crisis.

"Like virtually every other organisation in the country, we are adapting the way we work in line with these changing needs and government recommendations," she continues.

"We are committed to maintaining access to frontline services. Clients are encouraged to continue to contact their HIE account manager as usual, by phone and email. We will do all we can to keep providing a high-quality service.

"Our staff are all highly experienced in using technology for remote working and can access our key systems without being in the office. Most of us therefore are now working from our homes whenever possible, to avoid travel and having to share work spaces."

HIE has suspended all regular business travel and all its events scheduled for this month have been postponed or will be delivered virtually. Future events planned for the next 12 weeks will be reviewed.

To help the client and community, HIE is directing businesses and social enterprise to the latest information on the Scottish and UK Government responses to the outbreak, as well as specific guidance for employers and businesses and advice on health and travel, which is available at findbusinesssupport.gov.scot

Ms Buxton added: "The changes in how we work and how we provide many of our support services will ensure continuity and help reduce the negative impact that the current emergency will inevitably cause.

"With sensible measures kept under review we can continue to provide valuable support during what is bound to be a challenging time for our businesses and communities throughout the Highlands and Islands."

To read the full message, visit, www.hie.co.uk/latest-news/2020/march/19/what-to-expect-from-hie-in-the-weeks-ahead/?returnUrl=%2Flatest-news%2F%3FcurrentPageId%3D1542%26page%3D1%26showAllResults%3Dfalse

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