Highlands and Islands Enterprise has strengthened its transport policy team with the appointment of a new transport policy officer. Tony Jarvis will be working alongside HIE's transport policy manager, Tom Matthew, in the development of transport policies and projects, covering a range of transport modes.

From Staffordshire, Tony has had a long association with the Highlands and Islands, most recently in connection with his PhD study into local development and governance in the Highlands and Islands periphery. He is a graduate of the University of London and also holds a Masters in Rural Resources and Environmental Policy from Wye College, London. His previous positions include technical and academic posts in higher education in Kent and Staffordshire.

On joining HIE he said:  "The provision of transport in the Highlands and Islands has come a long way in recent years, and this has played a major part in the area's social and economic progress.  Yet much remains to be done. There is a clear need for the development of specific policies and projects that seek to further improve the network for the benefit of our economy and communities.  It is a great pleasure for me personally to come here to work in such a key role and I look forward to working with transport providers and our partners to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

Welcoming Mr Jarvis to HIE, transport policy manager, Tom Matthew said:  "The creation of a new transport post within HIE is yet another indication of the importance that the Network attaches to this issue.  We were very pleased to be able to attract a recruit of Tony's background and calibre.  HIE were very encouraged by the recent statements on transport in the coalition agreement underpinning the new Scottish administration.  The task is now to deliver on such initiatives and to continue to make the positive case for investing in the region's transport network"