Public sector agencies have a specific remit that drives their work and what they can do to help. Sometimes though, we may just need a bit of a clarification around the remit and if this is the right organisation to approach for help.

This is a great opportunity to hear first-hand from two key staff about the work done by two national organisations – Creative Scotland and VisitScotland – and just what they can do to support businesses in the Highlands and Islands. So, if you are working in creative industries or tourism, or have a business that relies on tourists please take the chance to join us for what will be an invaluable session.

We are asking for as many questions as possible in advance to provide as much useful information as possible during this session. Questions should be submitted to ashleylawrie@xponorth.co.uk by Wednesday 23 September at 12pm.

This is the first of a series of ‘Meet the Agency’ sessions with Bòrd na Gàidhlig on Thursday 1 October followed by Historic Environment Scotland and Museums Galleries Scotland on Thursday 8 October and concluding with University of the Highlands and Islands and Skills Development Scotland on Thursday 15 October.

Speakers: Helena Ward, Creative Industries Manager, Creative Scotland

Chris Taylor, Regional Partnerships Director, VisitScotland

Chair: Dr Simon Cuthbert-Kerr, Head of Creative Industries, Screen and Media Unit, Scottish Government

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Helena Ward, Creative Industries Manager, Creative Scotland

Helena manages Creative Scotland’s work in the creative industries, focussing on the sectors of design, architecture, craft, fashion and textiles. As well as sector development, her work covers advocacy, brokering and investment. Creative Scotland also work in partnership on this support for the creative industries with other national public sector agencies.

Before joining Creative Scotland, Helena was a manager at TRC media for five years, working primarily with Channel 4 and the BBC on talent development and access to international markets. Prior to this, Helena managed the creative industries economic support at Scottish Enterprise Glasgow for six years. She also spent a couple of years in fundraising at Barnardo's Scotland in Edinburgh. Helena started her career in account management in the advertising industry working in London at BSB Dorland and Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, and then in Edinburgh at The Leith Agency and Faulds Advertising.

Chris Taylor, Regional Partnerships Director, VisitScotland

VisitScotland works to promote Scotland globally as a visitor destination. By informing and inspiring visitors and providing support for thousands of tourism businesses in Scotland, VisitScotland helps to give visitors a great experience, provides opportunities for businesses to grow and works with partners to help manage tourism responsibly. Before joining VisitScotland, Chris worked at Highlands & Islands Enterprise, leading their tourism and food & drink teams and prior to that, at the Cairngorms National Park Authority. He is passionate about tourism in Scotland and is always keen to find new ways to support the tourism industry. He lives on the Black Isle, just north of Inverness, and enjoys spending as much time as possible in the outdoors, exploring Scotland.

Dr Simon Cuthbert-Kerr, Head of Creative Industries, Screen and Media Unit, Scottish Government

Simon Cuthbert-Kerr is Head of the Creative Industries, Screen and Media Unit at the Scottish Government. He is an experienced policy maker who has worked on a range of different subjects in his time with the Scottish Government, including land reform, public health, constitutional issues and adult protection.