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We were delighted to welcome Kate Forbes, Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy, along with Professor Lorne Crerar, Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and Ruth Kirkpatrick, Head of Business Growth at HIE to our global headquarters in Orkney on 5th March.
During the visit, Miss Forbes talked about the importance of digital on Scotland’s future economy, as well as the significance of creating tech focused jobs in remote communities such as Orkney:
“I see the world of tech as an enormous opportunity for Scotland as a whole, and I see digital as one of the best ways of ensuring that there is inclusivity in our economic growth, meaning that everyone in every part of Scotland can thrive.
Creating jobs in remote communities is absolutely fundamental in achieving that inclusivity and it’s so exciting to see a really successful tech business in Orkney. So many other industries and sectors depend on the physical movement of goods or people, which can be especially challenging for islands. With tech, we can overcome these physical barriers, to help ensure that every part of Scotland flourishes.”
We also had a Q&A session in which employees asked their burning questions. As part of this, Miss Forbes emphasised the importance of skills development in the wider tech industry:
“We need to attract around 12,000 new entrants into the tech world every year to meet current and future demand, and to make sure people have the skills and training to meet that need – including those people currently working outside the tech industry. If we want Scotland’s economy to prosper, then we need to make sure we have support in places like Orkney.”
Founding director Stewart Morgan said: “The funding and support that we have received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise has played a huge part in helping us reach where we are today, it was great for the team to meet Miss Forbes in Custom House.”
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Author: Lauren Miller
