New enterprise agency to be run from four offices, including ones in Hawick and Selkirk

A new enterprise agency being set up in a bid to boost the economic fortunes of the Borders and neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway won’t be run from a single headquarters but will instead be based at four offices dozens of miles apart, it has been revealed.
South of Scotland Enterprise chairman Russel Griggs during a visit to Selkirk last year.South of Scotland Enterprise chairman Russel Griggs during a visit to Selkirk last year.
South of Scotland Enterprise chairman Russel Griggs during a visit to Selkirk last year.

South of Scotland Enterprise – due to be launched on Wednesday, April 1 – will operate from hub offices in Hawick and Selkirk, plus another two to the west in Stranraer and Dumfries.

That four-way split is intended to ensure it is accessible to people throughout the two regions, and it will be backed up by further spoke operations scattered even more widely.

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Taking charge of the new agency and its £28m-a-year budget will be chairman Russel Griggs and interim chief executive Nick Halfhide.

Mr Griggs said: “We are committed to continuing our engagement that we have already undertaken through the South of Scotland Economic Partnership, strengthening existing relationships across the south of Scotland and beyond as we make real our vision, which is to establish the south of Scotland as a centre of opportunity, innovation and growth.

“As part of that, there are many strands of work under way.

“We have appointed a highly-experienced leadership team, as well as other staff to support our core values, which are to be bold and inspiring for the area.

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“This is an exciting time for the region, and we look forward to further announcements over the coming weeks.”

Mr Halfhide added: “We are committed to enhancing the collaboration which continues to be successful under the South of Scotland Economic Partnership.

“Following engagement and consultation, we have made some key decisions around our vision, which is to work with the people and communities across the South of Scotland to grow the economy.

“We will be providing investment, expertise and mentoring to inspire the region to think bigger and unlock significant opportunities for all.”

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“Of course we will need time to evolve and grow, the same as any other new organisation, but we are making great progress and will be in a great place to continue our consultation with communities from April 1.

“We look forward to involving everyone in shaping our operational plan in order to allow us to help anyone and any organisation who can support the economy of the south of Scotland, no matter how big or small they are or how they are constituted.”

The management team being led by Mr Halfhide, previously director of sustainable growth at Scottish Natural Heritage, also includes director of operations Bryan McGrath, formerly chief officer for economic development at Scottish Borders Council; strategy, partnership and engagement director Karen Jackson, previously employed directly by the Scottish Government; finance director Anthony Daye, joining from Skills Development Scotland; and enabling services director John Evans, hitherto chief executive of Edinburgh-based charity Visualise.

The agency’s Hawick office will be at Tower Mill and its Selkirk one at Ettrick Riverside.