Key figure in Inverness City Deal quits Highland Council to become Moray's top man for Highlands and Islands Enterprise
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The leading Highland Council official for the £315 million Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal is quitting the local authority.
Stuart Black is going two months after taking up a new senior post at the council.
He is returning to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) – an agency he left more than a decade ago.
Mr Black joined the council in 2008 and has been responsible for major projects including the delivery of the Inverness West Link road.
At the start of September he was named as the council's first executive chief officer in transformation and economy – with a £91,196 salary.
It is an integral role as the council attempts to assemble a new senior management team and reduce layers of management. Prior to the creation of that position, he was director of development and infrastructure.
But now he has decided to become area manager for HIE in Moray.
He said: “I am delighted to be taking up this role, leading the Moray team, particularly at a time where there are significant opportunities, including those arising from the Moray Growth Deal and significant investment in the area by the Ministry of Defence and Boeing.
“The area has many global brands helping drive the economy, from whisky, food and drink, textiles and engineering, there are significant opportunities for growth and innovation in all these sectors.
“There are also challenges of course, including uncertainties over Brexit and attracting new talent to the area to ensure that businesses will have access to the skills they need for the future.
“I look forward to working with the team and our partners, particularly Moray Council. Collaboration is the most effective means of strengthening the economy and community resilience of the Moray area.”
Related article: More senior appointments to executive leadership team at Highland Council
