GOVERNMENT MINISTER LORD OFFORD

JOINS PRA GROUP’S CELEBRATION OF 10 YEARS IN THE U.K.

U.K. Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord joined PRA Group President and CEO Kevin Stevenson, other local leaders and employees to mark the milestone at PRA Group’s state-of-the art offices in the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre in Kilmarnock.

Over the past decade, the U.K. team has nearly doubled from its original size. With its move to HALO, PRA Group committed a further 15 years to the town and earlier this year announced a partnership with Ayrshire College.

In honour of the 10-year milestone, Stevenson recognised the 40 employees who have been part of PRA Group’s U.K. team since its inception:

“Their continued dedication to PRA Group’s shared values has been critical to fostering the success of more than 300 people PRA Group employs in the U.K. today. PRA Group’s investment in the U.K. is one of which I am truly proud, and it is because of the incredible way this team has upheld our customer-first approach and focus on the long term.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: “It’s a fantastic moment to see PRA Group mark 10 years of business in the U.K. in the same year as their move to HALO in Kilmarnock.

“The U.K. Government is proud to be a partner in the Ayrshire Growth Deal and I hope that seeing PRA Group’s impressive new U.K. headquarters here in Kilmarnock will encourage more large firms to appreciate that Ayrshire is very much open for business.” www.pragroup.com

Anderson Strathern appointed to Inverness and Cromarty Firth

Freeport company following key role in successful bid

Anderson Strathern, one of Scotland’s most innovative, independent law firms, has been appointed as solicitor to Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Limited, the company which will manage the green freeport after it was announced as one of two successful bidders last week.

The aim of the freeports is to boost international trade, investment, regeneration and growth in their geographical areas, while contributing to the country’s journey to net zero.

During a visit to Scotland on Friday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the bid by the “Opportunity Cromarty Firth” consortium, along with the Forth Green Freeport bid, had both been successful.

The consortium included the Port of Cromarty Firth, Global Energy Group, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Port of Inverness, as well as academia, regional businesses and public sector. Anderson Strathern joined the partnership in July 2021 to provide legal support and input into corporate governance issues, the formulation of the project and the final formal bid.

Neil Amner, Director and specialist in transport and environmental law at Anderson Strathern, said: “Having been involved with this exciting project since summer 2021, we have been anticipating this announcement for a long time, but it has been worth it - it really is a major boost for the firm as well as for the Inverness and Cromarty area.

“We can’t wait to get started with the considerable amount of legal work involved in getting this new initiative off the ground. Being able to help shape the future of one of Scotland’s first green freeports is a fantastic opportunity for us.” www.andersonstrathern.co.uk