Archive for year: 2023

Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) has forecast wide ranging incentives and multi-generational benefits offered by the initiative will lead to the creation of more than 10,000 new jobs in the Highlands and a further 6,000 across the UK.

The organisation has also predicted over £3billion of fresh investment will be attracted as Green Freeport status helps realise the area’s potential to become the largest European hub for the development of the offshore wind industry and associated renewable energy technologies.

ICFGF Chief Executive, Calum MacPherson, said the figures demonstrated the “huge opportunity” the initiative presented to address the challenge of working age depopulation in the Highlands and to accelerate economic growth and innovation, as well as growing and decarbonising the offshore energy industry in the UK.

ICFGF was established as a company earlier this year, following the announcement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in January that Inverness and the Cromarty Firth would be the location of one of two Green Freeports in Scotland.

The company’s Outline Business Case for the development of the Green Freeport is due to be submitted to the Scottish and UK governments this week.

The document sets out details of locations totalling around 550 hectares and owned by 12 landowners, which would become “tax sites,” where preferential tax and customs rules apply. Mr MacPherson said that, in total, the land, which include areas on the shores of the Cromarty Firth, in the Highland capital and at Ardersier, amounted to the “largest green energy development site in the UK.”

Job creation figures were calculated by independent specialists, who interviewed landowners and potential investors for a detailed economic impact study, which forms a key part of the Outline Business Case.

They forecast that, if tax site designation is granted for the minimum five years available, their development will lead to the creation of 10,250 new jobs in the Highlands over the next 25 years and a total of 16,500 across the UK.

Operational roles on the tax sites, construction employment and indirect supply chain impacts are included in the figures.

ICFGF believes that, with broader initiatives in the area connected with the growth of green energy, the levels of job creation could be even higher.

Mr MacPherson said: “Following the ScotWind leasing round announcement last year, 20 offshore wind developments, representing a combined investment of almost £30bn, are currently being

planned, with the majority of them close to our region. Green Freeport status for the area, which has been supported from the outset by the green energy industry, presents us with the ability to maximise the lasting benefits to the Highlands, Scotland and the UK from that unprecedented opportunity.

“The latest Census figures once again underline the alarming decline in the working age population of the Highlands. We now have a huge opportunity through the Green Freeport initiative to address that issue, creating not just jobs, but sustainable careers that will benefit the area for many years to come.

“Thousands of hours of work from our consortium partners have gone into creating our Outline Business Case and I am delighted that, together, we have been able to produce what I am confident is an extremely strong proposition.

“Since the award of Green Freeport status, the ICFGF consortium has grown and the joint effort to get us to this vital stage has demonstrated unprecedented levels of co-operation among those involved from the private and public sectors and academia. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Scottish and UK governments as we further develop this transformational initiative.”

The Outline Business Case was today (Tuesday Oct 3) considered at a meeting of The Highland Council, which has the role of “accountable body” for the public funding aspect of ICFGF.

The Council has identified the Green Freeport project as a pillar of its planning and economic development strategy over the past three years due to the potential benefits it will bring.

Following the special meeting of the Highland Council, Leader of the Council Raymond Bremner said: “The Green Freeport will be transformational for the Highland region. The business case demonstrates the enormous potential for economic growth and job creation which can reverse population decline in the area.

“This development signals a real beacon of hope and opportunity for our young people to stay, to live and work in the Highlands, with the prospect of a range of careers and jobs, never before seen to this extent in our lifetimes.

“The Highlands are set to become a global centre for renewable energy and with that, an ethical economic prosperity which will secure a brighter, safer and greener future for generations to come.”

The Outline Business Case also sets out ICFGF’s proposals to address training and workforce requirements and drive innovation through its PowerHouse applied research centre. The PowerHouse, which is supported by a number of international offshore wind developers, was established to support ICFGF in becoming a global centre of excellence in offshore renewables and green hydrogen.

ICFGF is backed by the Port of Cromarty Firth, Global Energy Group, Port of Inverness and Ardersier Port owners, Haventus, alongside The Highland Council, UHI and more than 30 regional, national and international businesses, public sector organisations and academic bodies.

The Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport are currently recruiting two new and exciting roles to join our growing team and support the initiative to create green energy and bring jobs to the region.

Office Manager

The Office Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the ICFGF office while also complete Executive Assistant duties for the CEO in their various tasks and responsibilities. The successful candidate will be the backbone of the ICFGF office, responsible for maintaining a productive and organised work environment.

The full job description can be accessed here: ICFGF OFFICE MANAGER.

If you are interested in applying for the Office Manager position, please contact Kim, Kayleigh or Laura at HR Dept Highlands on [email protected] or call 01463 548129.

PowerHouse Project Manager

The PowerHouse is the skills development and research innovation vehicle of Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Ltd focusing on offshore wind and green hydrogen. The PowerHouse works with the offshore wind and green hydrogen industries to support the rapid expansion in renewable projects off Scotland’s shores and the Project Manager is responsible for managing and growing this skills development, collaborative R&D, knowledge exchange and STEM outreach hub. The Project Manager coordinates the PowerHouse steering group which is made up of representation from industry, public sector, UHI and other HEIs and research institutions.

The full job description can be accessed here: POWERHOUSE PROJECT MANAGER.

If you are interested in applying for the PowerHouse Project Manager position, please contact Kim, Kayleigh or Laura at HR Dept Highlands on [email protected] or call 01463 548129.

The UK Government’s Levelling Up Secretary, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, has hailed the potential of the new Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) during a visit to the Port of Nigg.

The Secretary of State said he was “incredibly impressed” by the way partners, which include organisations from the private and public sectors and academia, were working together to establish the Green Freeport.

During his visit, Mr Gove, who was accompanied by Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP, Jamie Stone, met a number of ICFGF representatives, including Green Freeport Chief Executive Calum MacPherson, Roy MacGregor, Chief Executive of Port of Nigg owner the Global Energy Group, and Highland Council leader, Raymond Bremner.

Mr Gove said: “There is a sense of coherence and ambition that is particularly impressive.

“Manufacturing has to be part of the Highlands’ future.”

The Secretary of State added that the Green Freeport would create new jobs, attract investment and lead to high quality opportunities for young people in the area.

Human resources consultancy The HR Department Highlands is among the first three firms appointed to supply services for the new Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF).

ICFGF also today announced the appointment of leading Scottish accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael, as well as public relations and communications agency Morrison Media, both of which have offices in the Highlands.

The appointments were welcomed by ICFGF Chief Executive Calum MacPherson, who formally took up his role with the organisation this month.

Based in Inverness, The HR Dept Highlands was launched in 2021 by Kim Hunter and provides outsourced employment law and human resources support to small and medium-sized businesses throughout the north of Scotland.

Ms Hunter said: “The award of Green Freeport status for Inverness and the Cromarty Firth has meant the spotlight is firmly on the area and all the communities and businesses within it.

“The excitement for us, as a people-focussed business, is the investment and job creation it can bring. That is so important to this area.

“We are very proud to have been awarded supplier status by ICFGF and are looking forward to working with them to deliver their people strategy.”

Established in Moray over 85 years ago and with a network of offices in 14 locations, including Cradlehall Business Park, Inverness, Johnston Carmichael is Scotland’s largest independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers.

The firm has been engaged to provide outsourced finance services to ICFGF, supporting the organisation with recurring monthly services including payroll and management accounts, as well as annual statutory accounts and compliance.

Kirsty Reynolds, Director and Head of Outsourced Finance Services at Johnston Carmichael, said: “We are pleased to have been selected to deliver this contract and we firmly believe that the area is in a unique position to support and enable job creation and economic growth which could bring transformative change across the Highlands and Scotland as a whole.

“As members of the Opportunity Cromarty Firth (OCF) consortium since 2021, we were happy to see its bid succeed earlier this year. We’re now looking forward to working with the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport team to help capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Morrison Media, which opened an office in the Highlands in 2021, provided communications and public affairs support to the OCF consortium from its launch and throughout the successful campaign to win Green Freeport status for Inverness and the Cromarty Firth.

Managing Director, John Morrison, who founded the company in 2012, said: “It was tremendous to be part of a winning team that brought together businesses, the public sector and academia in a way that had never been done before in the Highlands to create this fantastic opportunity for the area.

“It was a campaign that really focussed the attention of decision-makers on the attributes, capabilities and massive potential of the region.

“We are absolutely delighted that, with the award of this contract, we will be continuing on this exciting and vital journey as the Green Freeport is established and developed.”

The three companies were appointed following competitive tendering processes.

Mr MacPherson, said: “As we continue the process of setting up the Green Freeport, we are very pleased to be able to announce the appointments of these three companies, all of which have an established presence in the Highlands.

“Each has well proven and highly regarded expertise in their own fields, as well as in-depth knowledge of working in this unique region of the UK and we look forward to working with them.

“Since January’s announcement that Inverness and the Cromarty Firth had succeeded in its bid for Green Freeport status, a huge amount of work has been going on behind the scenes and a great deal of progress has been made. We look forward to making further announcements over the coming weeks.”

Inverness-born Mr MacPherson, who previously held a number of senior roles with Robertson Group, took up the post of ICFGF Chief Executive on Monday.

Haventus, the owner of Ardersier Port, has joined the growing list of Green Freeport consortium members that includes the Port of Cromarty Firth, Port of Inverness, Global Energy Group, The Highland Council, the University of the Highlands and Islands, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Inverness Chamber of Commerce.

Haventus has begun the redevelopment of the 450-acre Ardersier Port site, transforming the former McDermott Yard into a leading energy transition facility and unlocking the site’s potential to enable the deployment of major offshore wind projects and the wider energy transition opportunity. Redevelopment of the port will create local employment and support the supply chain, contribute to net zero and provide wider benefits to the port’s local communities and the Highland economy.

Haventus is backed by an initial £300m investment by Quantum Energy Partners, a US investment firm that provides private capital to the global energy industry.

Haventus CEO, Lewis Gillies said: “Haventus is delighted to become a member of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport consortium. Green freeport status will deliver a range of investment incentives for port users, designed to facilitate international trade and stimulate local economic growth.

“At a point in time when we have the most exciting energy opportunity for Scotland and the UK since the discovery of North Sea oil and gas, it was important for us to become a member of the Green Freeport, which will deliver significant benefits for businesses and communities in the region. We look forward to working with our consortium partners to deliver these.”

Speaking on behalf of Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, Chair Jim Smith welcomed Haventus to the consortium. He said: “We are delighted that Haventus has joined the consortium. It brings a fifth port facility into the Green Freeport and aligns with the Freeport’s objectives of facilitating offshore windfarm construction and accelerating Scotland’s transition to net zero. Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport is perfectly positioned to become a thriving hub for the renewables industry. Green Freeport status will build a pipeline of sustainable jobs that will benefit not only Scotland, but the wider UK.”

The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Ltd (ICF) is a company limited by guarantee and was borne out of Opportunity Cromarty Firth, the consortium which led the successful bid to become a Green Freeport. The award by the Scottish and UK Governments is set to “revolutionise” the Highland economy and stimulate major new manufacturing activity locally and elsewhere in Scotland and the UK.

The company is backed by port owners Port of Cromarty Firth, Global Energy Group, Port of Inverness, Highland Deephaven and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, alongside more than thirty regional, national and international businesses, public sector organisations and academic bodies.

ICF believes the creation of the Green Freeport will maximise local and Scotland-wide benefits from a pipeline of renewable energy projects, placing the Highlands at the heart of the drive towards net-zero and creating tens of thousands of jobs. This will also help reverse decades of depopulation in the region; giving young people the choice to stay and work in exciting green careers in the Highlands.