North Highland Initiative seeks new chief executive to guide region#s post-pandemic recovery
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The North Highland Initiative (NHI), the body behind the successful North Coast 500 driving route, is looking for a new leader to guide the charity over the next three years.
The NHI is seeking a new non-executive chair and part-time chief executive to succeed David Whiteford OBE, who was chairman of NHI for 12 years, having taken over from Lord MacLennan in 2009.
The charity was established in 2005 as a direct result of His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay’s involvement in bringing together the farming community, local businesses and the tourism industry to try to address some of the challenges facing rural communities in the far north of Scotland by creating a powerful regional identity for the area.
It operates across the counties of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross and Cromarty, helping businesses and communities become sustainable. Its three key areas of activity are food and farming, tourism and community support and leadership.
During his time as chairman, Mr Whiteford led the charity in its focus on building community, the built environment and tourism in the north Highlands, including the development of the Mey Selections Highland food and drink brand and helping to secure the long term future for family farms and crofts in one of the most fragile parts of Europe.
The group's achievements include securing a beef and lamb contract with leading supermarket, Sainsbury’s, supporting and creating a series of events to celebrate culture, heritage, food and drink and non-food products throughout north Highland area, including the Highland Military Tattoo at Fort George and various farmers markets.
NHI also instigated the move of Mey Highland Games from Mey to John o’ Groats, increasing the number of attendees from around 300 to over 3000, including the first ever international Para Highland games involving a team from Help for Heroes.
It has also brought international recognition to the region as one of the co-founders of the North Coast 500 (NC500) concept in 2014. The impact of NC500 has been transformational for north Highland tourism, creating more than £20 million additional tourism spend per year.
Together with Westminster Estates, NHI has co-sponsored Countryside Learning Scotland to undertake a schools development project helping school children become aware of the land-based employment opportunities that exist within their communities in the north Highland region.
NHI was also instrumental in a major community wide community consultation on the future for Brora, as well as an initiative to create and improve health and wellbeing for locals and visitors alike on the John O’Groats Trail.
Mr Whiteford, said: “I’m extremely proud to have led the North Highland Initiative over this time and I’m grateful to the many individuals and organisations who have helped to make it a success.”
Since retiring from NHI at the end of March, Mr Whiteford has taken up the role of group chairman of the newly formed Highland Coast Hotels which includes Kylesku Hotel; the Royal Marine Hotel, Brora, and the Royal Golf Hotel, Dornoch.
The NHI selection panel is now looking for a new non-executive chair and a part-time chief executive, both with a deep understanding for the North Highlands and a passion for its communities and their continued success, together with an ability to work closely with its partners across the North Highlands.
NHI board member David Hughes said: “We’re extremely grateful to David for his commitment, dedication and leadership of NHI over the last 12 years and wish him every success in his new role at Highland Coast Hotels.
“Under David’s leadership, NHI has made significant progress over the last decade and we have a lot to be proud of. We’re now looking forward to the next ten years and would welcome applications from anyone who feels they have what it takes to lead the charity into the next phase of its development.”
People interested in applying for the position of non-executive chair and part-time chief executive of North Highland Initiative should apply in writing, sending CV and cover letter to Lorraine MacDonald, North Highland Initiative, 13 Harbour Terrace, Wick, KW1 5HB by Monday, August 16.
For more information about the North Highland Initiative, please visit www.northhighlandinitiative.co.uk
