An estimated 10,000 jobs have been created and safeguarded by South of Scotland Enterprise in its first five years.
The figure is one of a number of statistics highlighting the significant impact of the Scotland’s newest economic and community development agency.
South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) officially went live in April 2020 after being established by the Scottish Government in recognition of the unique circumstances of the region, and the need for a fresh approach to drive inclusive growth across the area.
First Minister John Swinney last week visited the award-winning Trimontium Museum in Melrose and Durty Brewing in Innerleithen – two organisations supported by SOSE.
Other figures from SOSE’s first five years include:
- Immediate impact – played pivotal role during COVID-19, distributing over £26million to a total of 626 businesses, social enterprises and community groups with analysis showing almost 90% that received support are still operating
- Investment unlocked – every £1 invested by SOSE results in £5 investment in the region, equating to around £250m over five years.
- Investment – SOSE has approved direct grant funding of over £50m to 800 businesses, organisations and community groups, as well as making significant capital investment in projects across the region
- Inward investment – inward investment enquiries have increased by over 400% from businesses looking to invest in the region
- Support – SOSE has become the visible go to place for economic development enquiries – dealing with over 5,000 enquiries from 3,800 different organisations
- Developing entrepreneurship – as a pilot for the Scottish Government’s Pathways programme, over the last eight months SOSE has supported the creation of 100 new businesses
- Innovation and economic growth – SOSE has supported and highlighted new sectoral opportunities like hydrogen and natural capital with focused activity and specific funds
- Regional voice – SOSE have ensured that the opportunities and challenges of the region are better understood by government – responding to around 100 national and regional consultations
First Minister John Swinney said:
“Since its inception, South of Scotland Enterprise has had a truly transformative impact on businesses and communities across Southern Scotland.
“SOSE has worked tirelessly with local business owners, organisations and community groups to help their projects flourish.
“It has helped galvanise the region, ensuring that Southern Scotland remains an attractive place to visit, to live and to work.
“The Scottish Government is proud to support SOSE’s efforts and I look forward to seeing how the agency goes from strength to strength in the future.”
Chair of SOSE, Russel Griggs OBE, added:
“When we launched in April 2020, we made a promise to the people of the South of Scotland that we would be bold, different, ambitious and would listen.
“We are proud of the support we have provided – from COVID-19 support to creation and safeguarding of jobs to development of entrepreneurship and innovation – and believe it highlights the importance of the South having its own dedicated enterprise agency.
“Moving forward, we will ensure we are adaptive, forward thinking, innovative and responsive to the needs of our fantastic region.”
Chief Executive of SOSE Jane Morrison-Ross said:
“In the time since SOSE was launched, we have all faced a series of unprecedented challenges – the COVID pandemic, the cost of living crisis and geopolitical instability.
“But throughout this turbulent period, the businesses and communities in our rural area of Scotland have shown a vision, ambition and determination.
“SOSE’s job in that time has centred on being the catalyst to spark progress – and collectively we have made a significant impact, highlighted by figures such as the 400% increase in inward investment enquiries.
“While there are continued challenges, there are also exciting opportunities ahead for our region, which is, coast to coast, perfectly placed in the middle of the UK.
“Our aim is to continue to work closely with partners, businesses and communities to seize these opportunities, and create the rural economic powerhouse we know the South of Scotland can be.”
SOSE provided £400,000 towards the £1.4million refurbishment of Trimontium Museum in Melrose, which won Best Visitor Attraction in South Scotland at the 2023 Scottish Thistle Awards and the National Award for Accessibility in 2024.
The facility tells the turbulent story of one of the largest Roman fort sites north of Hadrian’s Wall and is the only museum in Scotland dedicated to the Roman and Iron Age era.
Trimontium also received significant support from a number of funders, including Scottish Borders Council’s recent contribution of £64,000 through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Dr John Reid, Chair of Trimontium Museum, said:
“The help Trimontium Museum has received from SOSE has been transformational.
“We have been able to create our fabulous, much-needed, and now much-used, educational facility.
“SOSE’s assistance has also helped lay the foundations for our new virtual reality lab which is proving really popular with visitors and educationalists.”
