Wick Harbour Authority Secures HIE Funding for New Strategy Manager Role
Highlands and Islands Enterprise provides up to £52,500 to support a new post focused on developing the harbour's masterplan and commercial opportunities.
By Eilidh Munro
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a busy industrial harbour with cranes and containers under a cloudy sky.
Wick Harbour Authority (WHA) is set to appoint a new strategy manager after securing up to £52,500 in funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to support the new role.
The new post holder will be instrumental in helping WHA deliver its emerging harbour masterplan and outline business case, thereby strengthening capacity and developing new business opportunities. This initiative marks a significant step in WHA’s ambition to become more commercially focused and to secure new activity at the harbour, particularly opportunities linked to offshore wind and the wider renewables sector.
The port strategy manager will be responsible for building relationships with existing and prospective harbour users, identifying investment opportunities, and progressing projects that can support the harbour’s long-term growth. Wick Harbour is recognised as an important regional asset, serving fishing, shellfish landings, commercial cargo, and energy-related activities. Since 2018, it has also served as the main operations and maintenance base for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm, which has generated substantial investment and high-value employment in the area.
This new position builds upon previous work supported by HIE and NRS Dounreay to develop a long-term strategic plan for Wick Harbour. It will provide WHA with dedicated capacity to translate this strategic work into deliverable projects, attract investment, and pursue further operations, maintenance, and other commercial opportunities.
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"Wick Harbour is a strategically important asset with real potential to support further economic growth in Caithness and the wider North Highlands. Implementing the harbour masterplan requires dedicated commercial capacity and that’s what this new role is about. The strategy manager will develop commercially viable projects and engage proactively with potential customers and partners. It will help WHA build on Wick’s established role in the renewables supply chain, pursue new business and create wider benefits for local companies, workers and communities. I’m very pleased we’ve been able to provide support and look forward to working with the new manager once they’re in post."
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"This support from HIE is a significant step forward for Wick Harbour. The port strategy manager will give us the focus and expertise to take forward our plans, strengthen our commercial approach and convert future opportunities into practical activity at the harbour. Wick has already demonstrated its value as an operations and maintenance base. We now want to build on that track record, diversify activity and ensure the harbour continues to make a strong contribution to the economy of Wick, Caithness and the wider region."
The job advert for the Port Strategy Manager position is now live on the WHA website, with a closing date of 13 November.
