A technology business is expanding to the Scottish Highlands but its boss is insisting it’s good news for the Isle of Man because he believes it will create greater opportunities for economic growth.

And ultimately he says it could even lead to the development of a new economic sector centred around the so-called ’internet of things’.

The Manx Technology Group (MTG), which specialises in developments such as the internet of things, software development and managed IT, has chosen the Moray area near Inverness for a base.

About 35 people work for the firm at Minerva House, Ballafletcher Road, Douglas. The expansion is expected to eventually create up to 20 new posts at Enterprise Park, Forres, which has been welcomed by a body called the Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE).

Manxman Joe Hughes, chief executive of MTG, spoke about the expansion into Scotland in a special presentation to MHKs last week and he said it had been particularly well received.

He told Business News it is great news for the island because of the ’collaboration’ with businesses in the Highlands.

He predicted it will strengthen MTG’s position in the island. Business News has reported this year on how Mr Hughes has stressed the company’s strategy has been to ’develop, harness and showcase technology’ in the island ’before sharing our expertise and experiences elsewhere in the world.’

Mr Hughes said: ’MTG has been providing technology solutions from our headquarters in the Isle of Man for more than 20 years.

’To support the next phase of our expansion, we considered a number of locations that would suit the needs of our growing business.

’A key consideration was an environment that encouraged international growth, somewhere we could readily access and nurture talent, and a supportive location that fostered innovation, collaboration and partnerships with industry and government.

’I am pleased to say that, with easy access to Inverness, Elgin, Aberdeen, and the rest of the Highlands region, Moray ticked all the boxes.’

He explained that he and

members of his team were able to get to Inverness airport by around 10am on a working day after catching the early flight to Manchester and then flying on to the Highlands.

Mr Hughes said MTG would also be forging closer links with CENSIS, a Glasgow based not-for-profit innovation centre imvolved in imaging and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

He added: ’Working with HIE, and following introductions to organisations such as Scottish Development International, Skills Development Scotland and CENSIS - it became clear that the Highlands and Islands region has a lot to offer.

’I’m delighted to welcome our new team in Forres and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve for MTG, Scotland and the Isle of Man.’

He also stressed the strong ’Celtic links’ between the island and the Scottish Highlands.

’We have received a very warm welcome and there are friendly links because of the Celtic connections. The bottom line is that this can only be good news for the island.’

Vicky Grant, HIE’s head of inward investment, said: ’Moray has a well-established reputation for technology expertise, including from military presence over many decades. The Enterprise Park Forres, which is also home to other technology firms including the Orbex rocket factory, provides an excellent location for MTG.

’We are delighted to welcome the company to the Highlands and Islands region and look forward to working with them as they establish their Scotland base.’ The 100-acre Enterprise Park Forres has been developed by HIE to provide a range of business units each designed for office, lab or industrial space.

It is said to offer space for innovation and business growth. MTG is locating in the Horizon Scotland building, which is at the heart of the development and has established the co-location of like-minded businesses.