Regional Economic Partnership
The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (REP) has been established with a collective ambition to deliver economic success across the Highlands and Islands.
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Our role and remit
The Partnership has a key role in developing a regional vision for delivery of the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation.
A partnership approach
The Regional Economic Partnership membership includes public, private, third sector and academic representatives. It's currently chaired by the Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr Paul Steele.
Working together for the Highlands and Islands
The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (REP) brings together public, private, third sector and academic perspectives in a partnership committed to delivering prosperity and opportunity across the whole of the Highlands and Islands.
The partnership has been established to take forward and co-ordinate partners’ actions to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth and build resilience throughout the region.
It is one of 8 REP partnerships which, together, cover the whole of Scotland, each seeking to create and deliver opportunities in their own region.
Our role and remit
The REP has a key role in developing a regional vision for delivery of the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET).
The partnership is active in taking forward the region’s big economic opportunities and tackling challenges across the Highlands and Islands.
We have links to the Convention of the Highlands and Islands (COHI), chaired by the Deputy First Minister, which brings together regional organisations and the Scottish Government.
Find out more about our role and remit in our Terms of Reference.
The area covered by the REP
Published on 22/11/2023
492,823
population
51
of Scotland's landmass
99
of Scotland's community owned land
21
live on an island
Our region
The Highlands and Islands is a diverse landscape with unique geography, demography and culture. It covers more than half the land area of Scotland and is home to a diverse range of businesses, vibrant communities and enterprising people.
The region is at the forefront of Scotland’s journey to net zero by 2045.
Work themes
The REP is working on a number of themes that include:
- developing a regional vision for delivery of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation
- population – people attraction and retention
- regional skills – future skills for green recovery
- transport – infrastructure and service provision to deliver effective and resilient transport links
- transformational opportunities – major investments driven by region wide collaboration
- funding and resources – a regional voice in engagement with Scottish and UK Governments, and co-ordination of regional funding.
Working together for our region
The region covered by the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership includes:
Published on 22/11/2023
22,530
registered businesses
1,277
social enterprises
241,000
people employed in the region
25,862
is the median annual salary
Membership
The REP membership includes public, private, third sector and academic representatives. It is currently chaired by the Leader of the Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner. Current REP member organisations are:
