Partnership

Opportunity North East (ONE)

Opportunity North East is helping to shape a stronger future for North-east Scotland by backing business growth and economic diversification, with The Wood Foundation supporting its work as a founding funder and long-term partner.

Visit ONE website

Backing enterprise across North East Scotland

ONE is the private-sector economic development catalyst for North-east Scotland. It works with regional and national partners to support business growth in areas where the region has strength and future potential, including digital tech, food and drink, agriculture, life sciences and tourism.

For The Wood Foundation, this partnership is rooted in place. The North East has been central to the Foundation’s story from the beginning, and ONE provides a practical route to support the region’s long-term economic future.

Championing entrepreneurship

Seven years of enterprise

Founded in 2015, ONE was created to accelerate economic diversification across North-east Scotland. Its work supports ambitious businesses and entrepreneurs to grow, innovate and access new markets. Through sector-specific programmes and transformational projects, ONE helps companies strengthen their position at home and internationally.

That work matters because the future of the region depends on a broad, resilient economy. ONE is helping create the conditions for high-value businesses to grow and skilled jobs to be created.

Our commitment

A long-term partner, not just a funder

The Wood Foundation’s relationship with ONE goes beyond financial support.

ONE’s model is closely aligned with the Foundation’s approach to philanthropy: practical investment, strong partnership working and a focus on long-term change. Sir Ian Wood has played a central role in ONE’s development as its Chair, helping shape its ambition and continued focus on the region’s future.

The Foundation’s support has helped ONE build momentum, attract wider investment and deliver projects that respond to the economic priorities of North East Scotland.

Investment in action

The Wood Foundation helped establish ONE in 2015 with a long-term funding commitment to support economic diversification across North-east Scotland.

That backing has given ONE the stability to invest in ambitious projects, attract further support and deliver work designed around the region’s future economy.

£64 million

Funding commitment from The Wood Foundation to ONE over 10 years
£35 million

of ONE project funding committed from The Wood Foundation’s philanthropic support
£94 million

additional funding leveraged from public, private and philanthropic partners
£20 million

Further support announced for ONE as part of The Wood Foundation’s latest investment in the region

The impact of the partnership

The Wood Foundation’s support has helped ONE deliver practical programmes and projects that strengthen North-east Scotland’s economy.

Through ONE, businesses have been supported to grow, sectors have been given focused investment and the region has benefited from new routes into innovation and market development.

150

digital tech businesses supported to increase employment

£10 million

new revenue generated by digital businesses involved in ONE programmes

£200 million

additional turnover reported by food and drink manufacturers

500

new jobs created across food and drink businesses

£30 million

productivity gains delivered through digital transformation in agriculture supply chains

Researchers and academics supported through life sciences programmes

£2 million

Secured for the North East Adventure Tourism project, supporting new mountain biking, cycling and water sports infrastructure

Explore other key partnerships

The Wood Foundation works with partners whose ambitions align with its long-term commitment to Scotland’s future.