Inverness Chamber of Commerce welcomed 300 guests to its flagship Highland Business Dinner on Friday 16 May at the Drumossie Hotel – celebrating another landmark year for business in the Highlands.
The annual dinner is a highlight of the Chamber calendar, bringing together leaders and decision-makers from across the region for an evening of connection, inspiration and celebration.
Chamber Chief Executive Colin Marr opened the evening and welcomed guests, reflecting on the strength and resilience of the local business community.
“The Highland Business Dinner is always a highlight of our calendar, and this year was no exception,” Colin said. “It was fantastic to see so many local businesses coming together and to witness the spirit of resilience and collaboration across our business community. We were pleased to welcome Fergus Ewing MSP as part of our programme of speakers – his support for the Highland business community has been immeasurable. Our principal guest, Adrian Chiles, was entertaining, honest, and perfectly pitched for our Highland audience.”
The evening was hosted by Nicky Marr and featured a keynote speech from broadcaster and columnist Adrian Chiles, who struck a chord with guests through his signature humour and candid reflections on work, life and personal wellbeing – all while paying tribute to the warmth and character of the Highland community.
Newly appointed Chamber President Marc Wilson also addressed the audience with a passionate call to continue working together to deliver regional growth and success.
“This dinner captures what’s best about our region – ambition, innovation and unity,” Marc said. “From start-ups to global operators, the Highland business community continues to punch above its weight. I was proud to highlight some of the incredible work being done by our Chamber members, our Dinner sponsors and the wider community. Nights like this are about more than celebration – they remind us of our shared purpose and potential.”
Fergus Ewing MSP gave a powerful speech reflecting on local economic development, including the transformation of the Inverness Castle Experience – one of several major projects set to boost the region’s profile and prosperity.
Guests also heard from James Dunbar, Chief Executive of Chamber charity partner New Start Highland, whose address and short film introduced the organisation’s life-changing work supporting people in crisis across the Highlands.
James highlighted, “This year is extra special, and I’m proud in our 25th Year, New Start Highland is the Chamber’s partner charity. I find it hard to articulate my gratitude to so many people across the business community who have played an important part in our journey.
“25 years ago, we set up a service to provide furniture and homeware to those who were finding life difficult. This grew over the years to extend to housing support, bikes, cooking classes, energy advice and most importantly, I think – employability training.
“Fast forward to now, and the need for our services is not only still prevalent but increasing every day. Mental health struggles, low confidence, high anxiety, extreme pressure, long term unemployment, these are all very real issues, and not just with people exiting homeless or living in poverty. Because homelessness, poverty and mental health struggles look different from person to person.
There are people who will be at the Highland Business Dinner, who New Start Highland has supported, and from there they’ve grown to have solid careers and successful lives. That is what makes me prouder than anything else I will achieve. Not our turnover, not our ever-decreasing reliance on grant funding, but changing people’s lives.”
A charity prize draw closed the night, raising £5,120 for New Start Highland thanks to the generosity of guests and prize donors including Uile-bheist Distillery & Brewery, StrategyStory, Pentland Ferries, Caledonia Dallas, Ness Walk, Highland Learning Academy and Tomatin Distillery.
The Chamber would like to thank all those who made the evening possible, including Principal Sponsors Highland and Islands Enterprise and Nevis Range, alongside Corporate Sponsor McInnes Group and Associate Sponsor Mackenzie Construction.
Thanks also go to our valued event partners: The Drumossie Hotel, Redelk Design and Marketing, A4 Design & Print, Simpsons Florists, KBE Events Service, Story + Stage and DP Digital Media and official photographer Ewen Weatherspoon.
