Chris O’Brien, managing director of the Nevis Range Mountain Experience, Lochaber, is shortlisted for Business Leader of the Year at the 2022 Highland Business Awards.
In his role as Managing Director of Nevis Range, Chris oversees all business operations from large partnership opportunities with global brands to day-to-day customer-oriented matters.
He was previously Destination Manager for The Outdoor Capital of the UK.
In this position, Chris built on the already strong reputation of Fort William and Lochaber as a highland tourism hotspot.
He developed, according to the firm, the destination’s tourism-dependent industry in a way that benefitted visitors and local stakeholders alike.
This was done by developing high-impact marketing campaigns and strategies in partnership with VisitScotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and local businesses.
Chris O’Brien has developed relationships with influential people across the board from local business people and influential figures in Scottish government and tourism management.
These relationships, say the firm, allow Chris to champion the Highlands as a tourism gem and ensure the people of Lochaber and the wider Highlands have their voices heard by those who can enact change.
Chris also firmly believes in managing a business that is fair in all its practices, that is why Nevis Range is a living wage employer regardless of age.
Nevis Range is also proud to be a fair work employer. Fair work is work that offers all individuals in an organisation an effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect.
It balances the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers. Following the Fair Work framework generates benefits for individuals, organisations and society overall.
Chris said: “It’s a true honour to be nominated for this award.
“I can’t thank my team enough for the tremendous effort that they have put in during these incredibly challenging times.
“The pandemic presented us with an opportunity to change, and my team grasped the chance with both hands.”
