HIE appoints new head of innovation and technology

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed a new regional head of innovation and technology.

Based in An Lòchran, Inverness, David Howie is responsible for a dynamic portfolio that includes all HIE activities on innovation, technology and advanced engineering.

This includes the agency’s developments around the Northern Innovation Hub; an HIE-led project funded by the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.

Mr Howie joins HIE after five years with the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS), where he has led a team delivering around 60 projects a year across the north of Scotland.

He trained as a scientist, gaining a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Stirling and a graduateship of the Royal Society of Chemistry from Napier University, Edinburgh.

Mr Howie began his career in the paper industry, working in product development with Tullis Russell in Fife before moving into management. In 2003, he joined Inverness Medical (which became LifeScan Scotland), initially leading the engineering team before focusing on technology transfer and new product introduction.

Announcing his appointment to HIE, director of business and sector development David Oxley, said: “David’s blend of skills, experience and passion for the job will be invaluable in establishing a whole new approach to innovation and technology. His role will be vital in delivering our priorities for growing businesses in the coming years and I am greatly looking forward to working with him.”

Taking up the role, Mr Howie added: “This is a great time to be joining HIE. There’s a huge amount of innovation work already achieved in recent years, and a strong pipeline of emerging projects. I very much look forward to working with the team, our clients and partners to build on this in the years ahead. I am particularly excited about the opportunities for the region, including those linked to digitisation and Industry 4.0.”