HIE make Orkney appointment

Orkney’s head of operations at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been appointed as the agency’s new area manager for the islands, and is taking up the role in the new year.

Graeme Harrison, who lives in Kirkwall, first experienced Orkney life in 1984 when he came to the islands while working for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

He has been with HIE since 1992 and said he is delighted to be taking on the top job from Ken Grant, who is moving into a specialised Oil and Gas role within the agency.

Alex Paterson, HIE chief executive, said: “Orkney is one of our most diverse and successful local economies in the Highlands and Islands, notable for longstanding achievements in culture, creative industries, tourism and food and drink, and more recently for powering ahead as a true world leader in marine energy.

“In Graeme, we have appointed an area manager who fully understands the entire range of opportunities and challenges currently facing the islands, and is committed to helping build a positive future for Orkney.

“He and his team are already doing a great job, and will play a central role in moving economic and community growth in Orkney to the next level.”