Rural Leadership Programme expanded to Highlands and Islands

Group photo from Rural Leadership Programme
Norette Ferns
Thursday 25 May 2017 - 10:19

The Rural Leadership Programme is being expanded to the Highlands and Islands.

Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have joined forces, giving people involved in rural businesses in the Highlands and Islands the opportunity to join the popular 13-day programme.  

The Rural Leadership Programme is delivered on behalf of Scottish Enterprise by SAC Consulting and is aimed at business managers and employees from rural businesses who have a desire to develop their leadership skills and grow their business. These include farmers, vets, estate managers, tourism managers, and managers from processing and supply businesses.

Commenting on the news Julian Pace, Head of Rural at Scottish Enterprise said:

"Rural industries are constantly facing new challenges, having to adapt to new technology and public policy, both in the UK and internationally. That’s why we’re opening this year’s programme to Highlands and Islands businesses as it’s essential that our rural leaders, wherever they are in Scotland, are equipped with the necessary skills to help them realise their ambitions.

"This programme provides rural businesses with the skills and networks to help them overcome barriers, challenge the status quo through continuous innovation and meet like minded people who can play a part in ensuring that our rural industries continue to make a vital contribution to the Scottish economy."

Douglas Cowan, Director of Strengthening Communities at Highlands and Islands Enterprise said:

"Supporting participation in the Rural Leadership Programme is complementary to our other Leadership development offerings. Opening up this fantastic opportunity to become a pan-Scotland programme ensures business leaders acquire, develop and apply a broad range of personal leadership skills that are important for the sustainability and development of a prosperous rural Scotland.

"We’ve had a high level of interest from businesses in the Highlands and Islands area and we’re urging enterprises to come forward to register their desire to be part of this excellent leadership programme."

Andrew Stirling, a previous Rural Leadership Programme participant and owner of Stirfresh said:

"I came away from the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme in 2013/14 realising that my wife and I had a good, diverse farming business - washing, packing and processing our freshly grown produce - but that we could take our 430 acre farm based at Lunan Bay a lot further."

Companies wishing to register their interest or ask questions about the programme should contact Julia Latto, Scottish Enterprise Project Manager on julia.latto@scotent.co.uk

Please note: this article originally stated that the Rural Leadership Programme was being expanded into the Highlands and Islands for the first time. This is inaccurate, as the programme was previously been available in the area in the past.

In our short video, Michael Halliday shares his experiences of the Rural Leadership Programme, as well as support from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society Scotland:

Assistance for Rural Leaders from ScottishRuralNetwork on Vimeo.

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