Moore says new board will break down business barriers
The membership of a new business group established by the Secretary of State to raise issues and help provide solutions on the Scottish economy is announced
The membership of a new group established by the Secretary of State to raise issues and help provide solutions on the Scottish economy has been announced today.
The Scottish Business Board (SBB) will meet for the first time in Edinburgh this Monday.
It will consist of 18 members drawn from a wide cross-section of Scotland’s sectors, including energy, oil and gas, defence, professional services, life sciences and tourism. The Secretary of State will chair the board, which will have support from the Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Michael Moore said:
“The Scottish Business Board has the expertise and knowledge to make a real difference to the way we tackle the issues facing the Scottish economy and get the most both from and for our companies across Scotland. I am delighted so many senior and experienced people will sit on the SBB and I look forward to getting down to the serious work ahead of us next week. They have a huge amount of individual ability and, together, we can bring their skills to bear on the strategic and practical issues we face.
“I am clear I do not want this to simply be another talking shop for business. We are going to focus on finding the barrier that exist for Scottish business and work out the best ways around or through them. We have an essential task ahead of us and I am keen to get on with the job.”
Neil Bruce, CEO, AMEC;
Billy Allan, CEO, ASCO;
Robin Watson, UK MD, Wood Group
Allan Cook, Chairman, Selex Galileo;
Paul Nelson; CEO, Allied Vehicles;
Neil McManus, CEO, Spirit Aerosystems
Peter Budd, Director, Arup
Kirk Murdoch, Senior Partner, McGrigors;
Graham Galloway, MD, Commercial & Business Banking, Scotland, RBS;
Alasdair Gardner, MD Corporate Banking, Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group
Audrey Baxter, Chairwoman & CE, Baxters Food Group;
Shaheen Unis, Founder & MD, Mrs Unis Foods
Peter Gordon, Chair of William Grant & Sons
Mike Capaldi, Commercialisation Director, Edinburgh Bioquarter
Paul Durrant, strategic Business Development Director, Abertay University
Peter Lederer, MD, Gleneagles Hotel
Andy Willox, Owner, Goldstar Cleaning Services (Scottish policy Convenor for FSB Scotland);
Dr Lesley Sawers, CEO, Scottish Council for Development and Industry
The SBB will meet a minimum of three times a year, and draw on the wealth of expertise available to help him represent Scotland’s interests in discussions on economic and trade issues at the UK level. It is intended to provide a sounding board for how the Scottish economy is responding to UK and Scottish government policies.
The SBB’s activities will feed into the UK Government’s Growth Review and provide an active forum for businesses to discuss issues directly with the Cabinet minister responsible for Scotland.
It will also receive independent economic advice. An annual trade forum for a wider audience will also be set up and minutes of the meetings will be made available publicly through the Scotland Office website.