Energy North was formerly known as North Scotland Industries Group (NSIG), and before that the Cromarty Industries Group. It serves as a lynchpin that pulls together companies involved in the gas and oil sector, wave and wind power and renewables. It provides valuable assistance in networking and coordinating the industry to ensure maximum success.
If pouring energy and enthusiasm into the energy industry is one of the best ways to drive it forward then business development manager Angela Wilson’s in the perfect job.
She joined Invergordon based Energy North in 2009 after working for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and the Inverness Courier as sales manager and classified telesales manager respectively.
She says that the energy industry is proving to be a vibrant and inspiring one to be part of: “Each day is quite different and it’s fantastic to be in a position to offer help and assistance to firms within the energy sector. We’ve represented the industry at trade missions and exhibitions in Spain, Denmark, Norway, the Middle East and the US in the past 12 months, and building on the wealth of contacts that we already have is always a primary goal.
“We have approximately 130 members and we’re always keen to hear from more-Membership cost varies and is dependent on the turnover of each company. We can guarantee that we have a business solution or support to offer any organisation involved in this sector. Some of our members are very small enterprises and it’s this sort of joined up thinking that helps them to exist and grow their own business.
“It’s really rewarding to see our businesses performing so well and often we’ll find that what started out to be a small organisation that shared half a stand at an exhibition now requires a double stand of its own. Energy North enables this collective voice to be heard, and we all know that a chorus is louder than a solo artist. When it comes to making that voice heard we have the contacts and have opportunities to raise queries and explain situations at governmental level.
“We’ve recently launched a new database called Ignite [available on website to members] which details oil, gas and renewables projects in the north of Scotland. Members can use this to search by supply chain requirements, geographical areas, or deadlines. This sort of tool is really efficient in sourcing new business and contacts for our members. It’s just one of the perks of signing up. Some of our members include industry leaders, but you can just as likely be a one person consultancy. Size is not important; we’re all about helping to meet demand and build up a robust network.”
Angela recognises the importance of fuelling the passion of the younger generation: “I was brought up in Alness and lived in Glasgow for 10 years before choosing to return to my roots. I love the beauty and rurality of the Highlands but I can see that we’re at risk of losing our young people, and particularly our young females to other industries if we don’t capture their imaginations early.
“We’re talking with local schools and colleges to explore ways to enthuse young people about what the energy sector can offer. Scotland has a fantastic track record in resources with 25 percent of wind, wave and tidal power available in Europe. If we retain our pride in this and build on it we could really bring success and stability to the industry.
There is a strong tendency for this industry to be male dominated and we definitely need to entice more females into it. A gender balance can add a great deal to any sector and it’s useful if we can create a more positive image that doesn’t perpetuate the stereotype of boiler suits and manual labour. There is a broad spectrum of jobs for the right candidates and we’ve got solid foundations on which to build a sustainable future.
“I’ve also been president of the Highland Business Women’s Club and from my experience there it is clear that women and men utilise many different skills in the workplace so it’s vital that we recognise our own unique qualities and talents and find a way to make these work in business. There is a space for a huge range of professional skills in the energy sector.”
‘From my experience… it is clear that women and men utilise many different skills in the workplace so it’s vital that we recognise our own unique qualities and talents and find a way to make these work in business’
For full details of membership benefits and an overview of what Energy North can offer your company log onto www.energynorth.co.uk , email i…@energynorth.co.uk or call the office on 01349 854968
