New Start Highland’s Deputy CEO, Mairi Macaulay, has been recognized as the only Highland social entrepreneur on the WISE 100 list ahead of International Women’s Day this Friday. The list, produced annually by NatWest Social and Community Capital in partnership with Pioneers Post, acknowledges the most inspiring and influential women in social enterprise, impact investment, and mission-driven business.
James Dunbar, Chief Executive of New Start Highland, expressed his pride in Mairi’s achievement, stating, “This honor is wholeheartedly deserved and is a true testament to her contribution to society. New Start Highland would not be what it is today without her leadership, empathy, and hard work.”
Mairi has been with New Start Highland since 2009 and has been a vocal advocate for social change. She has pioneered the charity’s innovative delivery of vital support services, providing a pathway out of poverty and crisis for thousands of people in need towards more stable and positive lives.
Mairi’s vision for holistic support has been instrumental in New Start Highland’s success. By offering a range of services under one organization, people across the Highlands can receive essential furniture and starter packs to create a safe and comfortable home, receive support from a housing team to navigate the complex benefits system and maintain their tenancy, and access employability training to gain qualifications and work experience leading to sustainable employment or further education.
Speaking about her inclusion on the WISE 100 list, Mairi said, “I am in the company of some very inspirational women who lead impactful social enterprises up and down the country. It’s a privilege to be included in the list.”
To learn more about how you can support New Start Highland, please visit newstarthighland.org.
ENDS
Pressat Media Contact:
Marion Cordiner
marion@newstarthighland.org
07368 594 724
Notes to Editors:
About New Start Highland:
Established in 2000 by James Dunbar, New Start Highland is a dynamic and evolving organization committed to a triple bottom line where social and environmental factors are just as important as financial outcomes. Through a program of reuse, New Start Highland provides furniture and household items, with aims for social implications as well as positive environmental impacts.
The organization tackles three main social issues through its services, including furniture and household item reuse, housing support, and employment training. Since its inception, New Start Highland has saved the public purse millions of pounds.
Funding for New Start Highland’s charitable activities comes from New Start Highland Enterprises, which operates a refurbished bike outlet in Inverness and offers professional and commercial services such as order fulfillment, house clearance, removals, and storage in the wider Highland area.
