Co-operate to grow Highlands and Islands economy

THE Highlands and Islands economy would grow significantly if there were more co-operative and employee owned companies, according to Co-operative Development Scotland.

The Scottish Enterprise subsidiary, which works in partnership with Highlands & Islands Enterprise, is urging local entrepreneurs throughout the Highlands  and Islands to explore co-ownership as part of the UK's first Co-operatives Fortnight from 19 June to 3 July.

Co-operative and employee owned business models are attracting increasing interest from businesses and policymakers across the UK seeking more productive and profitable ways of working. Research suggests a combination of shared ownership and employee participation delivers superior business performance and sustainability.

Local success stories include Highland Home Carers, Aquascot and Harris Tweed Artisans Co-operative.

Inverness-based Highland Home Carers is owned by its 160 staff and provides homecare and support services to nearly 300 clients around the Highlands.

Managing Director Stephen Pennington explains: "Social care is a very high turnover sector of the economy, but employee ownership has grounded our employees and enabled us to offer a level of consistency and quality that is second to none." 

Aquascot, based in Alness near Inverness, is an sustainable seafood business specialising in producing quality fresh and frozen salmon and trout products. The company has doubled in size since it began moving towards employee ownership in 2004.

"It's about taking control of your own affairs through employee ownership in a way that perhaps you did not believe was possible," says Managing Director Dennis Overton. "You can be part of an organisation where you have the opportunity to be influential and to engage in decision-making, and that's empowering."

Harris Tweed Artisans Co-operative was set up with the help of CDS in 2009 by 12 artisan businesses in the Outer Hebrides making products from Harris Tweed.

Co-operative member, Ann MacCallum of Hebridean Dreams on the Isle of Lewis, explains: "The co-operative really was set up as a way to help sell what we produce. All the products are made on the island from Harris Tweed and are sold through our shop in Stornoway or online. The co-operative acts as an agent for all of the member businesses."

CDS promotes co-operative and employee owned enterprise across Scotland and is widely supporting Co-operatives Fortnight.

The initiative is organised by Co-operatives UK, the membership organisation for co-operative enterprise, and will promote co-operative business models with the theme – There is an Alternative – and a website – http://www.thereisanalternative.coop/

For more information, please contact Victoria Masterson on 07733 301715 or Ian Spinney on 07973 671773.

About CDS

CDS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scottish Enterprise. The organisation was established by the Scottish Government to promote and support the development of co-operative and employee owned business models throughout Scotland. CDS supports the remit of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway. A specific focus is on growth industries, including food and drink, renewable energy, forestry and tourism. Co-operative business models have a major role to play in the growth of these sectors. 

CDS has its own Advisory Board comprising industry representatives and co-operative experts.  By working closely with key partners, CDS aims to demonstrate the improved productivity, sustainability and community benefits that co-operative models can offer. Its remit is to:

• Raise awareness of co-operative business models
• Help new and existing co-operatives to grow
• Develop markets for co-operative businesses

Some of Scotland's best-known co-operative and employee owned businesses include Tullis Russell, Loch Fyne Oysters, Highland Home Carers, First Milk, John Lewis Partnership, The Co-operative Group and Scotmid.

www.cdscotland.co.uk/