Inverness and Cromarty Firth Freeport appoints women to key growth roles
TWO experienced professionals have been tasked with key roles on the back of the freeport status won by the Cromarty Firth.
The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) says the appointments will drive investment and development opportunities in the region.
Alison Wilson takes on the newly created role of investment and development manager while offshore wind specialist Amy Parry joins the freeport board.
• £10m Port of Nigg offshore wind development investment agreed by HIE
• Port of Cromarty Firth to trailblaze construction of floating offshore wind turbines
Wilson brings over 25 years of experience in economic development. Previously director of economic development and advancement at University of Highlands and Islands, she played a significant role in building partnerships and collaborations, driving development opportunities and advancing the university’s philanthropic presence with stakeholders.
She also led UHI’s involvement in key regional growth projects, including ICFGF, and investments in renewable infrastructure.
She has also worked with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, contributing to business and financial services, inward investment and industry engagement.
She is a holder of the National Women of Influence Award from the Customer Contact Association. With her extensive experience in relationship-building across industries, government bodies and charitable foundations, she will play “a crucial role” in the green freeport’s growth strategy, helping to attract investors at local, national and international levels.
"The green freeport is a transformative opportunity for the region, driving investment and creating lasting economic growth," she said. "Joining the team at this crucial stage, I look forward to working with partners to ensure its benefits are felt across the Highlands and beyond for years to come."
Parry is a senior project manager at BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership, where she leads the Broadshore Hub floating offshore wind projects in the Moray Firth.
With over a decade of experience in marine environmental science and renewable energy project management, she brings expertise in the offshore wind sector, expected to undergo significant growth within the green freeport.
Her experience in supply chain collaboration, community engagement and skills development will be fundamental in positioning ICFGF and the Highlands at the heart of the UK’s energy transition.
She said: “The Highlands is poised to become a leader in offshore wind, and the green freeport will play a pivotal role in realising this potential. I’m pleased to bring my experience to ICFGF to help build a thriving offshore wind supply chain, drive investment, and ensure that local communities and businesses fully benefit from the opportunities this sector will create.”
Calum MacPherson, chief executive of ICFGF, said: “We’re incredibly lucky to welcome both Alison and Amy to the green freeport. They have a proven track record in their respective fields and will be able to add a unique perspective to our operations as we move into this next important phase of our evolution. We’re delighted to have them as part of ICFGF and to work with us on our overarching ambition of placing the Highlands at the heart of the new energy revolution.”
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