The steering group for the proposed Nairnshire BID have this week announced another important step forward on their journey to bring vital resource to the local economy. Experienced Project Manager Alan Rankin of Coigach Consulting has been recruited to support the steering group in their efforts to ensure that local businesses lead the way in producing a business plan and have a comprehensive understanding of how a BID for Nairnshire will deliver on a promise to enhance economic prosperity for the area.
Michael
Green co-chair of the steering group and Highland Councillor said
“I am delighted we
have secured the services of Alan Rankin to take the Nairn BID to
ballot early next year. The Nairnshire BID will provide the capacity
to deliver a local business plan promoting economic growth in
Nairnshire. Alan’s broad experience in tourism, destination
development, marine tourism and BIDs provides the BID steering group
with invaluable access and expertise. Exciting times lie ahead for
Nairnshire and Alan’s appointment is a massive step forward in that
process”
Michael Boylan co-chair
of the steering group and chair of the Association of Nairn
Businesses said
"We were in the
lucky position of having more than one company who wanted to work
with us, this shows that Nairn and the local area is starting to be
seen as somewhere with a bright future. We are delighted to
have Alan join the team, he has led previous BID set up's and has
excellent experience in a wide range of business engagement roles
that will greatly assist us. I’d also like to thank NICE for their
support in enabling and supporting the process so far"
Alan Rankin also
commented 'I am delighted to be joining the BID team and look forward
to meeting local business owners, event managers and interest groups.
There is enormous potential for a successful BID to contribute to an
exciting future for the area.“
Alan’s career
started in the retail sector and has for over 20 years worked in
senior positions in tourism and economic development. During that
time, he has worked with destination groups, developed area tourism
strategies, taken the Crieff Succeeds BID to a successful ballot and
is manager of Scotland’s Marine Tourism Strategy.
The next stage of the
BID journey will be to listen to local businesses, their ideas and
expand the steering group to ensure that there is cross sector
representation. Alan will be in post from 1st May ad will
be attending the Association of Nairn Businesses AGM in the Dunbar
Golf club on 15th May as part of his work to engage local
businesses.