Katrina Wiseman
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are the economic community development agency for the north and west of Scotland. They support businesses, communities and social enterprises throughout the region to grow, innovate and thrive. Their stated purpose is to build and sustain a greener, fairer and more resilient region that benefits everyone; with a vision “for the Highlands and Islands to be a leading net zero region with a dynamic wellbeing economy that benefits its growing population and makes a valued contribution to Scotland”.
HIE have a regional office in Shetland, where they support industries, communities and social enterprises across a wide range of sectors, including Energy, Tourism and Creative industries. They provide funding and investment to projects throughout the isles, as well as expertise and training to support organisations with innovation.
Find out more about Highlands and Islands Enterprise in Shetland on their website.
Katrina Wisemand - Area Manager, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Katrina has been Shetland Area Manager since 2021 and has worked for HIE since 2003. She has an MA (Hons) in Geography and an MSc in Local Economic Development, and has led the strengthening communities, regional development and business growth remits in the Shetland Area Team. Katrina was employed under the HIE funded graduate placement with AB Associates Limited prior to beginning her career with HIE.
In the next three years, Katrina would like to see the Partnership achieve significant progress in meeting climate change and net zero targets, and also economic growth in the islands within the green energy sector. Katrina also hopes that by working together, the Partnership can support an increase in our working age population, progress solutions to housing aspirations, and find ways to reduce the impacts of fuel poverty in the community.
Katrina feels that the Partnership can best serve the community by actively listening to needs and requirements of businesses, communities and organisations and focus on collaborative actions to address challenges and opportunities currently faced in remote island communities.