PSYBT Chief Executive Meets Young Businesses

Major General Mark Strudwick, Chief Executive of The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust made good use of his time in Lewis last week by meeting several young entrepreneurs who had received assistance from the PSYBT. Mark had been in Stornoway for the PSYBT / Royal Bank of Scotland Business Awards, which were held in An Lanntair. Mark met the winner, Aonghas Campbell of “A Campbell Electrical Services” and runner up Karen Macdonald of “Blue Heron Creative Services” at the Awards and then later at their workplace. Mark was very impressed with the quality of both businesses, seeing great potential in their respective futures.

Along with the Western Isles PSYBT Regional Manager, Jane Campbell, Mark also visited several businesses throughout the island that had received support and financial assistance from the PSYBT. These included Kevin Murray, “Alba Engineering Design Ltd.”, Simon Dunne, “Soundtracks”, Donald Eadie, “Fonn”, Ilene Afrin, “Body and Sole”, Leila Angus, “Brighter Still Photography” and David Ross, “RPS Express Ltd.”, which are all based in and around Stornoway. They then met with Emma Mackenzie, “Pairc Pottery” in Gravir, Angus Chisholm, a Slater/Roughcaster presently working in Laxay, Aileen Hunt, “The Bernera Shop”, in Breaclete, and Richard Davies & Gillian Dykes, “Wild West Foods (UK) Ltd.“ in Timsgarry, Uig. In June 2002 - initially for a trial period - PSYBT increased the eligible age-range to 30 for applicants in the Western Isles. The upper age limit stands at 25 for the rest of Scotland. Due to the success of the pilot, this arrangement continues indefinitely. It is hoped that the success of the trial will persuade the PSYBT Board to make this a permanent feature of the eligibility criteria for the Western Isles in due course.

Commenting on his latest highly successful visit to the island, Mark said, "I enjoyed meeting some really interesting businesses. I learnt a lot from the experiences of the young people we met and am totally convinced that the age trial has been a huge success".

Pictured above is Mark Strudwick with David Ross, “RPS Express Ltd.” outside David's business premises on Shell Street, Stornoway. David recently set up this small parcel service with the assistance of a PSYBT loan. He operates a daily service between Stornoway and Inverness, with assistance from his brother Paul and cousin James. Since starting up his own business, David has also secured the Index catalogue contract and will also be offering a similar Ikea service shortly.

PSYBT in the Western Isles offers start-up funding and advice to young people aged between 18 and 30, with a business idea of their own. For further information contact: Jane Campbell, PSYBT Regional Manager, Business Advantage, Town Hall, Stornoway, on 01851 707475.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk