The Scottish Institute for Business Leaders (SIBL) will launch a new Highlands and Islands branch with a day-long event hosted by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited at its Inverness Airport headquarters on 14 September.

SIBL was established two years ago based at the Stirling University Innovation Park to focus on the needs of CEOs and private sector business leaders across Scotland. However, the value of its offering was quickly recognised by the public sector and after due diligence SIBL is now the preferred leadership development forum for Fife Constabulary and RAF Leuchars and works extensively with the NHS and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.  The group benefits enormously from the diversity of its members.

SIBL’s reputation is built on a proven track record in leadership development. Its monthly meetings focus on the needs of the members in relation to practical business effectiveness and success.

SIBL Group Chairman Drew Pryde explained: “Working at the top of an organisation can be an isolating experience and SIBL provides a forum in which members can share their thoughts, views and experiences and learn new ways of addressing issues and problems in peer group workshops.  It is about real business leaders working on real issues in real time.

“This is not primarily a networking forum but a learning organisation that aims to meet and expand the development needs of those individuals whose leadership and success is fundamental to the wellbeing and future of their organisation or business.

“Our members take a proactive role in identifying their needs and addressing these through a mixture of discussion, workshops and problem solving. We also ensure that regular Masterclasses with high calibre international speakers are tailored to the challenges that are relevant to the members.”

SIBL aims to bring together like minded people from the region who are committed to economic development at a personal level and can see the benefits of drawing on the support of their peers, share and develop best practise in leadership and benefit from taking time out from their own schedules to reflect on their work and direction.

Mr Pryde said: “Our members find that SIBL’s monthly meetings offer them the opportunity to take a step back and see things in a new light while sharing their experiences within a trusted peer group. This provides them with experience they can take back and apply in their own working environments.  The basic rationale for members is why have one non-exec when you can access ten, all providing an external view and working on your behalf without an axe to grind.”

Already well established in Central Scotland, SIBL now wants to open up new opportunities for business people in the North of Scotland. The meeting on 14 September will include a presentation from management and development guru Paul Bridle.

Paul speaks internationally on leadership and effective organisations. This year he is the Presidentof the International Federation for Professional Speakers. He is a Fellow and past President of the Professional Speakers Association in the United Kingdom. His main work is now devoted to helping organisations develop and get the best out of their people. He travels the world speaking at international events and conferences and working with organisations to help them improve their performance. See the www.paulbridle.com website for more information.

Gordon McPhee, human resources manager at HIAL and SIBL member said: “This is an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about SIBL’s work and find out what they can gain from becoming involved. We already have considerable interest from both the public and private sector and I would urge anyone else who may be curious about SIBL to get in touch with the organisation’s Regional Director Les Morgan as soon as possible.”

The event runs from 0830 to 1645 on Wednesday 14 September and includes breakfast and lunch. For further information contact Les Morgan on 01309 641364 or 07770 903266.