As we continue our countdown to the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2025, we turn our focus to the valued sponsors who make this celebration of excellence possible. Today, we spotlight Royal Bank of Scotland, Scotland’s largest business bank and a long-standing partner to communities, individuals, and enterprises across the nation.

About the Company

Royal Bank of Scotland is the biggest bank for business in Scotland and across the country it supports individuals, families and communities through our retail teams and our community projects. We support one in five families in Scotland and one in three businesses so we really are part of the fabric of Scotland. As an institution we’ve been supporting customers for nearly 300 years.

Why They Sponsor HITA

Leisure and tourism is the largest sector by customer numbers that we support in the Highlands & Islands and it’s vital to the Highlands and Islands economy, so it is really important we work together with the right partner to celebrate all that is great in the sector. At Royal Bank of Scotland we want to help our customers achieve their goals, turning possibilities into progress and we are keen to champion potential and help our communities, customers and businesses thrive therefore to me HITA impacts so positively to all these areas, it makes for a great partnership.

Category Sponsorship

We are supporting the Climate Action Award category. We hear directly from our customers about their climate ambitions and want to play our part in helping them achieve their goals. By supporting this category we can shine a light on some of the great work businesses are already doing which in turn might inspire others.

Supporting Businesses and Tourism in the Highlands and Islands

From dedicated relationship managers for the region to mobile branches or digital and telephone services, Royal Bank of Scotland has dedicated teams who can support customers across the area. Importantly, many of our colleagues at Royal Bank of Scotland are part of the communities which they serve. It makes for a unique situation. They are eager to engage with clients directly at their premises and possess a wealth of local and business knowledge to assist them effectively.

Role in the Local Economy and Community

We see it playing a pivotal role with one of the main avenues being an economic enabler.

For instance the tourism sector plays a vital role in jobs creation, injecting funds into the local economy. It also supports numerous other businesses that provide services to the industry such as accommodation providers and local tourist guides. It also has the potential to attract significant investment to the area. For some local communities, tourism also provides a sense of pride in their area. It encourages historical preservation, and also celebrates local culture and traditions through community festivals or larger events.

Like many sectors, there is constant change which can create challenges but opportunities too. I am continually impressed by how businesses unite to find solutions and take advantage of those opportunities. We are committed to supporting those who want to embrace these opportunities.

Industry Trends and Innovations

The growth in experiential travel, how people are now looking for experiences, I think that opens up many more opportunities for the Highlands and Islands.

Looking Forward to HITA 2025

I always look forward to hearing about the outstanding achievements of those businesses that have been nominated, the excellence they consistently offer always amazes me and it’s great to be able to celebrate with them all.

Alignment with Company Goals and Values

For me the alignment comes from that focus on the customer experience and then the raising of standards, this partnership helps us recognise those businesses that really understand their customers and embrace the possibilities open to them.

Upcoming Initiatives or Events

On the day of the HITA Gala dinner we have a lunch event planned with Seb Burnside Nat West Group’s Chief Economist.

The week beginning 15th of September is One Week in September, a week of fundraising activities across all our physical locations in Scotland, from book sales to bike rides and much much more all for CHAS.

Find Out More

Royal Bank of Scotland Online – Bank Accounts, Mortgages, Loans and Savings
Our support for Scotland | NatWest Group

Three Words to Describe the Company

Purposeful, Supportive, Collaborative

Message to the Finalists

“On behalf of everyone at Royal Bank of Scotland, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all finalists at this year's Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards.

Being shortlisted for these awards is a remarkable achievement, and no matter the outcome, you should take pride in how far you've come. We recognise the immense dedication and effort that goes into managing businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. This year, we have been truly impressed by the calibre of applications received. The stories shared exemplify a genuine passion and commitment to the sector, as well as to your customers and teams.

A huge well done to all those shortlisted, and we wish you every success on October 3rd!”