Business / Former council leader chosen to help steer green innovation funding across Scotland’s islands
Steven Coutts is to lead the industry advisory board for Heriot-Watt University’s ‘innovation and commercialisation project’.
A FORMER council leader is set to lead a new board guiding green innovation funding for young entrepreneurs and businesses in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.
Steven Coutts, who is now chief executive of social enterprise Cope, has been selected to chair the industry advisory board for Heriot-Watt University’s ‘innovation and commercialisation project’.
The project is one of the key strands of the so-called TalEntEd islands programme toward net zero solutions which received £5.9 million funding under the 10-year Islands Growth Deal.
In 2020, while Coutts was the political leader of Shetland Islands Council, the governments in London and Edinburgh committed £50 million pounds each to support growth projects in the three Scottish islands groups.
Also representing Shetland on the six-person board will be Daniel Gear, managing director of Lerwick-based Voar Energy Ltd.
The board will be responsible for reviewing applications and making decisions on funding awards, as well as ensuring applicants benefit from expert support.
The programme offers innovation grants of £5,000 and £25,000, and applications for the first round of awards are now open.
Coutts said: “Island communities have always been resourceful and innovative, but often the challenge is turning good ideas into something that can be scaled up and sustained.
“This project gives people across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides the tools, funding and expertise to do just that.”
The other members of the board are:
- Alister Brown, senior innovation manager with Highlands and Islands Enterprise in Orkney
- Matthew Finn, managing director for the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney
- Margaret Keenan, senior relationship manager with the Royal Bank of Scotland in Orkney
- Margaret Ann Macleod, CEO of Harris Tweed Hebrides and chair of Stornoway Port
Deputy principal of business and enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, Professor Gillian Murray, added: “Our industry advisory board brings together a hugely experienced group of leaders who understand the opportunities and challenges of island economies.
“With their guidance, and through the blend of funding, academic expertise, and practical business support, this project will accelerate the journey from idea to adoption – helping the islands to become leaders in sustainable innovation.”
Anyone with an emerging or already developed idea or innovation is asked to first contact the team by e-mail talentedwp3@hw.ac.uk to set up an initial assessment and discussion.
More information about the TalEntEd Islands Programme can be found here.
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