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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| HIE losing '850 years' experience | HIE losing '850 years' experience |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A shake-up of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has led to the loss of experienced staff, according to a MSP. | A shake-up of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has led to the loss of experienced staff, according to a MSP. |
| Up to 60 staff were understood to have taken voluntary packages following the Scottish Government's decision to cut staff from 550 to about 350. | |
| Changes to its management structure have also now been unveiled - a move the body said would make it more effective. | Changes to its management structure have also now been unveiled - a move the body said would make it more effective. |
| However, MSP Peter Peacock said key employees have chosen to leave. | However, MSP Peter Peacock said key employees have chosen to leave. |
| He said: "They have not been twiddling their thumbs for the last number of years, they have been doing serious work for the Highlands economy and its development. | He said: "They have not been twiddling their thumbs for the last number of years, they have been doing serious work for the Highlands economy and its development. |
| "You are seeing go out the door of HIE something like 850 years of staff experience." | "You are seeing go out the door of HIE something like 850 years of staff experience." |
| Reorganisation agreed last year saw a number of staff at Careers Scotland - which was integrated with HIE - move to a new body. | Reorganisation agreed last year saw a number of staff at Careers Scotland - which was integrated with HIE - move to a new body. |
| Meanwhile, several changes to HIE's management structure will be made from April - including its eight current operational groupings being reduced to five. | Meanwhile, several changes to HIE's management structure will be made from April - including its eight current operational groupings being reduced to five. |
| However, area teams, working under the generic HIE name, will be maintained in each of its local enterprise company areas. | However, area teams, working under the generic HIE name, will be maintained in each of its local enterprise company areas. |
| 'Highest expertise' | 'Highest expertise' |
| To assist closer working with local authorities, operations will be managed by three regional directors, each reporting to operations director Douglas Yule. | To assist closer working with local authorities, operations will be managed by three regional directors, each reporting to operations director Douglas Yule. |
| HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said: "These management changes are absolutely the right ones to equip this agency with the best structure to take forward the government economic strategy. | HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said: "These management changes are absolutely the right ones to equip this agency with the best structure to take forward the government economic strategy. |
| "The Scottish Government has made it clear that HIE should focus wholly on our areas of highest expertise - sustainable economic growth and strengthening communities." | "The Scottish Government has made it clear that HIE should focus wholly on our areas of highest expertise - sustainable economic growth and strengthening communities." |
| He added: "HIE staff are highly skilled and committed to the success of this region and I know that we are all looking forward to being part of Scotland's ambitious economic future." | He added: "HIE staff are highly skilled and committed to the success of this region and I know that we are all looking forward to being part of Scotland's ambitious economic future." |