Midsteeple Quarter appoints first Enterprise Manager
Midsteeple Quarter’s mission to encourage entrepreneurship in Dumfries High Street has been boosted with the appointment of its first Enterprise Manager.
Jakob Kaye has started the exciting new job, which will be critical in helping to unlock the creativity and innovation which will create a better, fairer future for the town centre.
The role will bring our enterprise spaces to life, support enterprise tenants and develop a hub at The Standard - our soon-to-be-completed showpiece development on the High Street - for aspiring young entrepreneurs.
Jakob, who has lived in Dumfries for 11 years, brings with him a wealth of experience which will prove pivotal in achieving the community benefit society’s ambitions.
As well as his most recent work for Citizens Advice Scotland, he has previously worked as a development officer for Nith Valley Leaf Trust, as well as running his own tree nursery business.
In a role which chimes closely to the ethos for The Standard, he has also been managing director of Antenna Studios in London, which operates with community at its heart and offers studio spaces for short and long-term rental for those working in the creative and other industries.
Midsteeple Quarter Enterprise Manager Jakob Kaye
On his new post, Jakob said: “This is a dream job for me. I am really excited to get started.
“I have a real passion for enterprise and see so much potential in what Midsteeple Quarter is developing in Dumfries. There’s a good energy here which will do some real good for the town centre.”
Midsteeple Quarter is the custodian of six community-owned buildings in Dumfries town centre. Its vision is to redevelop them into affordable rental and enterprise spaces, starting with The Standard.
“There are so many entrepreneurial people in the community who are just looking for a leg-up. Midsteeple Quarter can help with that. The conversations I have already had with people have been really positive,” Jakob added.
“Passion attracts passion. People can see the passion that Midsteeple Quarter has for the town and really want to work with that.”
The new Enterprise Manager role has been made possible thanks to funding from the Holywood Trust.
Kathryn Hill, Midsteeple Quarter’s Interim Executive Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jakob to our team at what’s a really exciting time for us as we look to take our work to another level following completion of The Standard.
“Our thanks go to the Holywood Trust for their support with this. We know this is a role which will make a real difference to the help we can give to encourage new enterprise and prosperity in our community.”
If you have an enterprise idea that you would like to discuss, you can email Jakob on enterprise@midsteeplequarter.org.