Get to know our new CEO - Mark Sutherland 🚀

Meet Mark Sutherland, the new CEO of Impact Hub Inverness. We've asked him a mix of work-related and just-for-fun questions so you can get to know the person behind the role.

What attracted you to the role of CEO at Impact Hub Inverness?

"Social Enterprise has always been an area of interest for me, as I've long held that business can be done in a more beneficial way for society as a whole, so being able to get involved with Impact Hub Inverness has been a real privilege. I've been around the business community of the Highlands and Islands since 2003, and having grown up in Inverness & Caithness, I've seen the impact of strong social enterprises first hand, and the incredible work that Impact Hub Inverness has done over the years to help support Social Enterprises across the North and internationally was just too exciting an opportunity to miss out on."

How do you see the role of social enterprise evolving in the Highlands over the next few years?

"The sector has continued to grow in recent years, and I can only see that trend continuing. Unfortunately, pressure continues to grow on services across the nation, and this is particularly acute in rural areas such as ours, so social enterprises born out of necessity will continue to be the backstop to us having less services locally. I think that this is also a very positive move, and with the right funding and support, who better to benefit local communities than the communities themselves."

What experiences from your past roles do you think will be most valuable in this new position?

"I could go into great and boring detail about the wobbly career I've had that's led to a plethora of skills and experience in leadership to drive Impact Hub Inverness and the social enterprise sector forward. But in reality, the most valuable thing I've picked up along the way is chatting to, and having a real interest in people, and their stories. That interest and enthusiasm to speak to people has helped me build a community in various roles and a variety of guises that is always of benefit."

What does success look like for you in this role - both for yourself and the organisation?

"Success for me would most definitely be a thriving Highlands and Islands economy where communities are supported by businesses that benefit them directly. For Impact Hub Inverness it would be to continue being at the heart of that development work, supporting communities and businesses to be more socially focused."

What's one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

"I'm a fully qualified 2x guide bar chainsaw operator, which means I can cut down some pretty chunky trees."

You're hosting a dinner party - what three people, living or dead, are you inviting?

"Robin Williams, Emily Blunt, Mhairi Black."

What's your go-to-snack when working late?

"Due to solidly emplaced work boundaries, (I'm a reformed workaholic), I very rarely work late. However...I am a chronic grazer and my go to overtime snack is crackers in all their various guises, carrs melts, plain wheat crackers, mini cheddars, those epically addictive garlic and herb crackers from B&M, you name the cracker, that will 100% disappear if left unattended in my presence."

If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be and why?

"Why would you instantly want to become an expert in anything? The fun is in the learning!

I suppose, I wouldn't be adverse to becoming an expert in predicting lottery numbers."

What's your favourite place in the Highlands to unwind or get inspired?

"There are so many! Glen Affric definitely holds a special place in my heart, it's just stunning. The Secret Beach near Inverness and Fort George are places that hold some really special family significance and are definitely places to unwind, but feel more connected to family. The place that absolutely is the whole nine yards for me in terms of unwinding and inspiring at the same time though, is the area around Loch Sarclet in Caithness, where my family's croft was."