Award winner can return to post if new venture fails
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A PUBLIC sector tourism chief has been awarded £10,000 of taxpayer’s money to pursue her own business venture – with the option of returning to her job if it does not work out.
Thurso-based head of tourism for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Rachel Skene picked up the five figure sum as winner of the Innovation Challenge at the Caithness Chamber of Commerce’s 40th anniversary dinner earlier this year.
But the Caithness Courier can reveal that if she fails in her first year, she will be able to return to her role in the Scottish Government’s economic and community development agency where she currently gets paid between £29,850 and £38,000 a-year.
HIE area manager for Caithness and Sutherland Roy Kirk explained to the Courier yesterday that Ms Skene’s imminent departure would be treated as a sabbatical rather than a permanent departure.
“Rachel will be taking sabbatical leave,” he said.
“We’re very excited for her and wish her the very best in her venture.”
“If, as we all hope, her business takes off then that will be fantastic but if for any reason she wishes to return to HIE then she will have that opportunity to do so.”
A HIE spokeswoman clarified that the ‘return to work option’ was not unique to Ms Skene and that each application for sabbatical leave was considered on an individual basis.
“HIE supports the concept of employee sabbaticals as part of a commitment to supporting staff in achieving their maximum potential through a range of developmental activities,” said the spokeswoman.
“We have a policy which sets out the conditions and procedures if any member of staff wishes to apply to take unpaid leave for study or other developmental activities for a significant period, up to a maximum of 12 months.”
Mr Kirk said that the decision to allow a ‘return to work option’ was done in the interest of being helpful to both the economy and to employees.
“We want to be supportive not only to the economy but also to employees,” he said.
“The decision to start up a new company takes a lot of courage so therefore we want to be seen to be helpful.
“She is showing a lot of commitment in taking this venture forward and going with it.”
In addition to the grant, Ms Skene received a £10,000 working capital loan and 12 months’ business mentoring from Dounreay managing director Roger Hardy.
She prevailed over five others in the final of the competition designed to encourage business growth in the north Highlands.
The challenge – which was also backed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Babcock Dounreay Partnership – was designed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in Caithness and north Sutherland. The competition consisted of two phases, the idea and the pitch.
During the idea stage, entrants were required to submit an innovative idea for a product or service which could be developed within the Dounreay travel-to-work area. Six were then selected to go forward to the pitch stage, where entrants delivered a 10-minute presentation to a panel of expert judges.
Despite repeated attempts, Ms Skene was unavailable for comment yesterday but Mr Kirk said he had a rough idea of her winning business idea.
“She is looking to use modern technology both in the internet, quick response codes and other ways to create a brand of some of the exciting design products that we have in the North Highlands,” he said.
“My understanding is that she will take that and ultimately help sell them in different parts of the world.”
Mr Kirk added that they would soon be advertising for a replacement head of tourism. Current tourism projects would continue to progress meantime.
“I’m very happy to confirm that the projects that Rachel has led will continue,” he said.
“Other colleagues in the area office and indeed from Inverness will be helping to support the various tourist initiatives that are still very dear to her heart.”
Thurso Highland Councillor John Rosie said the new business development would be watched closely.
“She is going to be the recipient of a considerable amount of public money,” he said. “I’m no expert in this field but obviously people are going to watch this closely and see how it develops.
“We will of course hope that it develops successfully both for her personally and for Caithness.”
Ms Skene has been far north head of tourism with HIE for three years. Prior to that she has worked in various industries including operating her own freelance textile business for eight years.
