A Shetland businessman has recently returned to the islands from one of the world's most renowned business schools where he excelled at an entrepreneurs development programme.

Michael Laurenson of Blueshell Mussels in Brae, Shetland excelled at an entrepreneurs development programme at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.

The programme is made possible through the partnership Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has developed with MIT. The partnership gives local businesses access to world class business and sales training and the latest in research in management and leadership techniques.

The business plan competition was won by a team which included Michael who was one of seven businesses from the Highlands and Islands taking part in the week long programme. They were working with over 120 businesses from 30 countries across the world.

Michael has returned full of praise for the MIT experience. "Our time at MIT was a fantastic learning experience with world class lecturers who could hold an audience with every word. I took back a number of key fundamentals learned at MIT which I find myself applying subconsciously on a daily basis. It changes the way you think about things and helps you examine where you really want to go in your business. I have learned a lot of practical lessons from some very high calibre people which will undoubtedly help me to grow the business back home."

Blueshell Mussels is a family business formed in 1997 based in Brae, Shetland. They have developed world-leading cultivation techniques to supply quality mussels to leading restaurants and major supermarkets.

Bruno Berardelli, of Highland Wood Energy in Fort William and Michael Laurenson, of Blueshell Mussels in Shetland both excelled at the entrepreneurs development programme at the intensive week's training in Boston.

Laura Dingwall, of HIE said: "In coming to MIT, the businesses have been open to new ideas and finding people with the experience to help them grow beyond their current markets. It's no surprise that the skills of our businesses are coming out on top. Blueshell Mussels is an exemplar model for business in the region using the advantages of its outstanding natural environment to match modern customer demand and by investing in innovative production techniques it has been able to pursue an ambitious growth strategy and HIE is delighted to support innovation and entrepreneurship in our region."

Last week Michael also attended a two day seminar hosted by HIE and held in Inverness and taught by MIT lecturers throughout the country which he found to be an excellent experience.

Blueshell Mussels is one of 350 growing businesses and social enterprises from across the region which HIE has been building an on-going client relationship with over the past two years. The aim is to create development plans which will have positive outcomes for businesses and their communities. The closer working relationship and shared goals mean that HIE support can flow from the needs of the business.