Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) has appointed Ross Cairns as its first business relationship manager for the north of Scotland area.
The appointment comes on the back of CSIC’s new £10.98 million Phase 2 funding programme and funding commitment of £500,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), where the role will be based.
Cairns has held senior industry roles and has more than eight years’ experience as a lecturer and programme leader delivering the construction degree programme.
His specialist areas include digital visualisation, BIM and innovation and he has been chair of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Highlands and Islands branch.
Steven Hutcheon, Head of Technology & Engineering at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “We are delighted to fund this post over the next five years as it will facilitate transformational projects to deliver greater innovation and economic impact for the construction sector across the region.”
Lucy Black, Head of Business Relationships at CSIC said: “This collaboration with HIE supports our commitment to expand our range of services and activities throughout Scotland as part of phase two of our strategy.”
“Ross has a vast experience across both industry and academia and I am confident that he will play a vital role in leading, developing and implementing a range of public sector, industry and academia partnerships to create transformational change and growth in the construction sector.”
Cairns said: “I firmly believe there are fantastic opportunities for the construction sector to innovate.
“We will be delivering an events programme to ensure as many construction businesses as possible across the region can access the latest research and the chance to work together, with a variety of partners, to drive projects forward that will support industry growth and modernisation.”
