Johnston Carmichael has joined the bid to create a Freeport (or Scottish Government ‘Green Port’) in the Cromarty Firth.

Scotland’s largest independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers joins the dynamic partnership of private, public and academic sector organisations including the Port of Cromarty Firth, Global Energy Group, Inverness Harbour Trust, The University of the Highlands and Islands, and The Highland Council on the Opportunity Cromarty Firth steering group.

Their ambition is to establish the Cromarty Firth as one of the UK Government’s planned ten freeports, following the Scottish Government’s backing of the initiative and providing Scottish ports the opportunity to achieve ‘Green Port’ status, focusing on attracting international investment, regeneration, innovation, fair work, sustainable and net zero priorities.

If successful it is anticipated that a Cromarty Firth green port would stimulate further economic activity and attract inward investment in innovative renewable energy technologies, equipping local people and businesses with skills and technologies to bring transformational regeneration to the Highlands with benefits across the country.

Having grown from their beginnings in Moray, Johnston Carmichael has developed into one of Scotland’s leading accountancy and professional services firms. They are PKF International members, a global network of legally independent accountancy businesses, with members covering over 150 countries. With offices based throughout Scotland and within the Highlands, in Inverness and Elgin, Johnston Carmichael is synonymous with the region.

Mark Stewart, Partner and Head of Energy, Infrastructure and Sustainability at Johnston Carmichael said:

“Opportunity Cromarty Firth has already shown that it has the backing of the Highlands’ leading organisations and it is with great pride that we join this steering group to help make this ‘Green Port’ vision a reality. We believe that the Cromarty Firth is uniquely positioned to offer the perfect location to support and enable job creation and economic growth which could bring transformative change across not only the Highlands, but Scotland as a whole.

“The freeport model includes a unique package of tax reliefs, including Enhanced Capital Allowances, designed to attract international investment and manufacturing. This provides the UK with a major opportunity to maximise activity and trade with overseas markets.”

Bob Buskie, Chief Executive of Port of Cromarty Firth - speaking on behalf of Opportunity Cromarty Firth - said: “We are delighted that Johnston Carmichael has joined the Opportunity Cromarty Firth steering group and we welcome them as we concentrate our efforts on giving the region the best possible platform to become a freeport and achieve ‘Green Port’ status.

“Their unrivalled accountancy and tax expertise will be essential to maximising the key advantages stemming from the freeport business model in order to deliver a sustainable pipeline of jobs and supply chain opportunities to the Highlands. The attractive business rates and tax benefits associated with freeports will help the region attract more investment and deliver on our ambitions from the significant prospects in offshore renewables.

“Through our collective assets and resources, and with the addition of Johnston Carmichael’s expertise, we will work to ensure the benefits of implementing a freeport in our region are realised.”