The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network map is changing, with strategic alterations to the boundaries of two local enterprise companies.

Economic and community development in the Badenoch and Strathspey area will become the responsibility of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE) from July 1. Moray will continue to be served by the local enterprise company currently known as Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE).

HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said redrawing the boundaries would enable the local enterprise companies to better focus their efforts in the areas they serve.

He said: "As the Highlands and Islands of Scotland continue to develop, the needs and aspirations of different parts of the area served by the HIE network change.

"We are responding to that and altering the structure of the Network to be better placed to meet the challenges and opportunities in these two important areas.

"Economic and social development along the buoyant A9 'corridor' from the south to Inverness will come under a single local enterprise company for the first time since the original Network map was drawn in 1991. This will also enable us to increase our focus on Moray, an area which, along with a strong and long-established identity, has its own unique set of economic challenges and opportunities."

The move was welcomed by Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise, Jim Wallace.

Mr Wallace said: "The economy of the Highlands and Islands is continually evolving and it is important that the HIE network is attuned to these changes.

"This redefining of the Network boundaries will help to better address the economic challenges faced by Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey as well as exploit the significant opportunities that exist in these areas."

INE chief executive Stuart Black, who will continue to head the restructured local enterprise company, said: "There are growing economic links between the area currently served by INE and Badenoch and Strathspey which underline the good sense in this redrawing of the boundaries.

"We look forward to building on the good work carried out in the area by MBSE and working with the people of Badenoch and Strathspey to help ensure the success the area has enjoyed in recent years continues in a sustainable way."

The Aviemore office will be retained.

The local enterprise company in Moray will be headed by Douglas Yule, current chief executive of MBSE.

He said: "This redrawing of the boundaries will enable us to concentrate our efforts solely on Moray at a time when the area is facing unprecedented economic change."

The boundary change will also mean that Careers Scotland services in Badenoch and Strathspey will be provided from Inverness and Aviemore rather than Moray.
The redrawn boundaries of two local enterprise companies will better reflect the local authority areas and parliamentary constituencies in which they operate.

The move, which was also suggested by a number of respondents to HIE's recent strategy consultation, has been welcomed by both The Highland Council and The Moray Council.