Strategic Projects Manager Gordon Ackroyd and Development Assistant Kieran Roberts travelled down to North Arm, for a field meeting with new Falkland Landholdings Ltd General Manager Neil Judd.
The visit was to see at FLH’s sheep business “in context”, and the chance to talk about this in depth with Neil and the farm’s manager Steven Dickson - and to watch the shearing getting under way.
With a number of crucial sheep sector projects high on the Development Corporation’s agenda, this was a terrific opportunity for FIDC to form ideas, to help forge cooperative working – and to explain FIDC’s current projects.
FIDC’s new Director of Wool Innovation Greg Green will arrive in the coming weeks to work on value-adding and new approaches to supporting the industry - which includes the wool handling and warehousing. This critical infrastructure also comes under the Rural Development Strategy remit, in which FIDC is also currently promoting grant support for capital improvement on farms, renewable power, and Camp workers’ accommodation.
Also of great interest to FIDC in the wide-ranging North Arm discussion was how the animals’ genetics, and sheep numbers, will act as drivers at FIDC’s FIMCo subsidiary, in the longer term.
FIDC Projects staff thank Neil and Steven for an informative and enjoyable visit.
The Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) is pleased to publish its 2018-2019 Annual Report and Governance Statement.
The report gives an attractive and illuminating account of the Corporation’s work of the past year, supporting economic development through enterprise - and of the people involved.
Print copies are widely distributed to clients and stakeholders, and a digital version is available on FIDC’s website.
Click the link below to download a digital copy.
pdf
FIDC Annual 2018 2019
(1.46 MB)
The Board and staff of FIDC congratulate Dr Andrea Clausen on her appointment to the post of Director of Natural Resources, with the Falkland Islands Government, and thank her for commitment of time and insight to the FIDC Board over the last five years.
As a result of this change, FIDC is now seeking a new member for its Board of Directors.
Our Board oversees and informs governance decisions, ensures delivery on the Corporation’s business plan, and subsequent programmes and initiatives.
This is an exciting time to be involved with the Islands’ enterprise economy. The Corporation has a skilled and experienced team in place, a clear business plan and a commitment to develop the economy in a period of significant opportunity.
This position as Co-opted Member, for a term of up to 4 years, is now available.
The commitment requires attendance at six meetings each year for which a small expenses fee is paid, though deeper involvement is encouraged.
To find out more about the opportunity, please contact FIDC, tel. 27211 to arrange an informal discussion with the Chair of the Board.
Interested parties should submit expressions of interest in writing - setting out their relevant knowledge, skills and experience - by no later than 4th November 2019, by email to Sue Faria, Board Secretary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Addressed to:
FIDC Board Secretary
Falkland Islands Development Corporation
Shackleton House
Stanley
Falkland Islands
FIDC has completed a full HR improvement project, for its subsidiary Falkland Islands Meat Company.
With its mix of full time professional staff, plus part-timers and the regular influx of seasonal workers – and a requirement to meet demanding health and safety regulations - FIMCo and FIDC were very keen to see the very best Human Resources practices embedded in the business.
An initial HR ‘audit’ revealed the scope of work needed at the start of the year. More recently, following a competitive tendering process, a contract was awarded to HR industry professionals Sally Hart and Jackie Taylor.
The aim of this project has been to have a coherent HR capability within the business but without adding a management burden. Sally Hart and her team set to work on recruitment, retention, reward and performance for a profitable enterprise.
Today, new training guides, a comprehensive staff handbook, plus employee and manager ‘toolkits’ and other staff resources are available to ensure FIMCo is, as Sally puts it “a great place to work, a safe place to work, a successful business” and the focus – in line with Michael Ledwith’s Business Improvement programme - is on “getting the work done”.
FIDC is a strong advocate for robust HR practices for all its client business, and will be adding an ‘HR Basics’ workshop to its suite of enterprise training courses in the coming months.
For further details, look out for information here on the web and our social media.
Over the last year Ruth Stewart has been working towards starting her foot health and nail care business. Ruth made the decision to take the big step into starting her own business after working as a Health Care Assistant on and off for the past 19 years, where she became aware of the need for a foot health care service in the Falklands.
Ruth investigated the route to become a qualified Foot Health Practitioner and received funding from the CDS to help her with the training costs of becoming a qualified FHP. The majority of her studies were undertaken here in the Falklands by distance learning with The College of Foot Health Practitioners in Birmingham, only needing to go overseas for the practical training. Now Ruth is fully qualified and also registered with the Alliance of Private Foot Health Practitioners in the UK. Alongside her studies, Ruth continued to work closely with the Business Development Team at FIDC, receiving advice and support to build her business case, as well as financial support to purchase the specialist equipment needed.
Previously the only foot health care in the Falklands had been a visiting Podiatrist Mr Duran who comes twice a year for two weeks. Ruth aims to provide a domiciliary foot health care service to the community. This service will complement the service provided by the visiting Podiatrist.
Regarding the support that she has received along this journey to starting her own business, Ruth said “I have been very fortunate, and I am very grateful to have received advice and financial assistance from FIDC and the CDS. As a single parent I could not have done this without that support. Therefore my thanks go to FIDC and the CDS staff and committee members, for all the assistance I have received.”
Here at FIDC we are sure that Ruth Stewart Foot Health and Nail Care will be well received and will prove to be a beneficial service to the community and we will continue to offer Ruth business advice and mentorship.
Working towards a highly successful, diverse and sustainable economy for the Falkland Islands