Pictured at the launch of Natural Enterprise, from left, Geoff Hughes, of Wood End Enterprises, Natural Enterprise chairman Brian Friend; vice-chairman Lynn Clarke, managing director Graham Biss and environmental manager Ian Boyd.
MAKING a difference to the Island’s economy and its environment is the key aim of a new organisation launched last week.
A merger of the IW Economic Partnership (IWEP) and the Island 2000 Trust has resulted in the birth of Natural Enterprise, which will take on many of the roles of the two organisations.
As well as channelling grant monies, such as the £2.7m Leader funding for the rural economy, the new merged company will provide environmental consultancy service, economic development work, and project delivery.
Natural Enterprise will also manage the Innovation Centre at St Cross Business Park, where it will be based. Thirteen full and part-time staff will work for Natural Enterprise.
While Island 2000 Trust will continue, with Natural Enterprise as its trading arm, the IWEP will disappear.
The partnership was launched at Bluebell Cafe, Briddlesford Farm, at an event supported by the NFU, Country Landowners Association, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty project and the IW Council.
The new company says its profits would be re-invested for the sole benefit of the IW.
Graham Biss, managing director of Natural Enterprise, said: "After IWEP lost its contract for economic development on the Island we had to look at a new way forward and bringing together the two bodies made perfect sense.
"When you are talking about the environment and the economy, you realise you can't look after one without looking after the other.
"And a lot of our projects will put a commercial edge on things that will have a strong community focus."
Brian Friend, chairman of Natural Enterprise, told guests: "This is a positive move for both companies that will accelerate our strategy to make a beneficial impact on the IW by addressing the combined needs of the Island’s economy and its environment."