Roy is HIE's spaceman

Roy Kirk has moved from his role as area manager to become project director for the new spaceport, and he will lead development of the satellite launch facility.

A new acting area manager, Eann Sinclair, has been appointed in his place.

Mr Kirk has been with HIE for more than 10 years, after moving from West Lothian to Caithness.

He was initially an inward investment manager before being appointed area manager in 2008. Over the past two years he has been leading on efforts to attract the spaceport investment to Sutherland.

Eann Sinclair has had a number of HIE roles, including head of strengthening communities. For the past decade he has been programme manager ofthe Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.