HIE is the successor body to the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB), which was launched on 1 November 1965, and was responsible for distributing government grants for economic and cultural development of the Highlands.[4] The first chair of the HIDB was Professor Robert Grieve.[5] Retired diplomat Sir Andrew Gilchrist was its chairman from 1970 until 1976.
In 1991 HIDB was replaced by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which also took over responsibilities from the Training Agency to form HIE. Iain Robertson, appointed as Chief Executive of the HIDB in 1990, continued to chair the new body. The new organisation aimed to be more decentralised, with decision making and budget control being develoved to a network of 10 Local Enterprise Companies, each with their own CEO.[6][7]
A major reshaping of the organisation in 1993 saw the number of divisions reduced from seven to five.[8] In 2008 a further major restructure occurred, with careers advice and national training programmes transferred to a new national body- Skills Development Scotland.[9]
Highlands and Islands Enterprise's approach to economic and community development centres on working to build sustainable economic growth in all parts of the region. They are guided in this by the Scottish Government Economic Strategy, and by the Scottish Economic Recovery Plan.
HIE operates across 13 offices throughout the Highlands and Islands including 10 Area Offices, from Benbecula to Forres and Lerwick to Lochgilphead.
HIE's purpose is to deliver the Scottish Government's Economic Strategy which aims to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. The strategy sets five strategic objectives, for Scotland to become:
Wealthier and fairer
Smarter
Healthier
Safer and stronger
Greener
The HIE Operating Plan outlines the investment priorities for its annual budget in line with the national economic strategy.
The Scottish Government's skills strategy, Skills for Scotland, also informs HIE's remit.
The skills strategy highlights the importance to economic growth of equipping people with skills, expertise and knowledge, and ensuring their full and productive use.
While Skills Development Scotland is the leading body in this field, HIE continues to have a strong interest in aspects of skills in the region. In particular, it supports workforce development. HIE also helped to create learning infrastructure and assisted UHI Millennium Institute in becoming the University of the Highlands and Islands. HIE are now based on the new university campus at An Lochrann.