Louise Sinclair, vice chair of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and general manager at Sinclair Bay Subsea, reflects on the change at John O’Groats
Earlier this month, we were joined by our members for the 17th annual general meeting of Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
This year, our AGM was held in John O’Groats, a village that has undergone an extraordinary transformation over the past 15 years.
From being cruelly labelled ‘Carbuncle of the Year’ to becoming a thriving visitor destination, the village’s development has been nothing short of remarkable. The enhancement of local facilities and visitor experiences has worked in synergy with the iconic status and dramatic coastline of John O’Groats, while successfully preserving its local identity and supporting businesses in the area.
We were warmly welcomed at 8 Doors Distillery by founder Kerry Campbell, one of the outstanding local enterprises that has contributed to this dynamic transformation.
Established in 2022, 8 Doors Distillery proudly holds the title of mainland Scotland’s most northerly distillery. With a contemporary interior and panoramic views across the Pentland Firth, this modern, forward-looking distillery has turned a neglected site into a flourishing local business, celebrating both heritage and innovation.
Growth, investment and innovation were key themes in the establishment of the distillery and are indeed vital to the future of our region. However, many businesses in our area continue to grapple with rising costs, labour and skills shortages, and regulatory pressures.
At both a local level and as part of the wider Scottish Chambers network, Caithness Chamber has played a pivotal role in holding governments and policymakers to account on economic and business policies, ensuring that the voice of the north Highlands is heard as part of the national conversation.
This work is ongoing, and we remain committed to holding key decision-makers in Inverness, Holyrood and the newly elected UK parliament to account, ensuring our region’s priorities remain high on the agenda.
Our commitment to creating a narrative of opportunity for our region’s young people is also fortified by our work with Developing the Young Workforce North Highland, delivering over 400 events and activities for young people from primary school through to S6 this year alone.
A special thank you goes out to the business leaders and industry experts who have acted as role models, and generously given their time and expertise to show our young people that anything is possible.
This year’s AGM celebrated the remarkable achievements and dedication of the team at Caithness Chamber. We continue to provide practical advice and support to our members through informative events, business-to-business connections, and mentoring initiatives, strengthening our community and local economy.
Each year, we strive to elevate our impact, and with the ongoing support of our members, partners, and stakeholders, we are confident that together, we will build a more resilient, entrepreneurial, prosperous and sustainable economy for the future.
Attracting talent to the far north
View from the top by Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce
This year, our AGM was held against the backdrop of having just celebrated 50 years since the first chamber of commerce was established in Caithness. At the 50th annual dinner, we reflected on how far the Chamber has come since 1974 and indeed since the “new” chamber was established some 16 years ago.
With a staff of 11, it has become the foremost business organisation in the north Highlands, punching above its weight and delivering value for our members, the community and the region as a whole.
Our Chamber has had a successful year, welcoming new members and actively engaging with businesses through a variety of events. We launched a new series of business networking events, offering invaluable opportunities for members to establish connections and raise their business profiles.
We’ve also been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and support shown for our new Members’ Insight initiative, where members have generously shared their knowledge and expertise with their peers.
Talent attraction and access to skilled labour remain critical challenges for businesses across all sectors in our region. In a proactive response, we are pleased to have welcomed Lindsay Matthews as our talent attraction specialist for the Recruit North Highlands initiative, in partnership with the Focus North collaboration.
Working closely with local businesses to identify skills gaps, Recruit North Highlands will elevate the north Highlands as a premier destination to live, work, study and invest. Lindsay will provide tailored support and guidance to prospective candidates considering a move to our region.
We are also thrilled that the Caithness Business Fund is playing a vital role in nurturing young talent in the north Highlands through both the FutureSkills and Caithness Business Fund apprenticeship grant schemes.
Throughout the 2023/24 year, the Caithness Business Fund provided support for 13 businesses with grants towards the employment of an apprentice within their team, with three of these awarded through the new FutureSkills initiative, launched in February 2024 with thanks to a significant investment boost from NRS Dounreay, the NDA and West of Orkney Windfarm.
It’s fantastic to see the impact of this investment on our local community as these young people take their first steps into the world of work.
Caithness Chamber is a testament to the dedication and collective efforts of our members, staff and supporters. We remain committed to fostering a dynamic and resilient business environment. By continuing to support one another and advocating for the unique strengths of our region, we can ensure the north Highlands thrives for generations to come.
Overall, it has been a rewarding year and once again it has been a great privilege to work with our members, who consistently demonstrate the value of community and proven that in both life and business, we are stronger together.
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