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Challenging the future

Business leaders were challenged to outline what they think should be done to secure the future prosperity of the North-east of Scotland at a Question Time with a Twist session held in Aberdeen yesterday. (Thursday April 21).

A panel representing a cross-section of business sectors faced questions from an audience which included a number of local politicians and parliamentary candidates who questioned them on the region’s economy and their role in supporting its growth.

The event was organised by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce as part of North East Business Week, a new joint initiative by the Chamber, Enterprise North East Trust (ENET), the FSB and SCDI to raise awareness about priorities in the lead up to the Holyrood Election.

Chaired by journalist and writer Keith Aitken, panel members David Binnie, MD of Opito; David Riches, Commercial Director of the British Chambers of Commerce; Bob Ruddiman, Head of Energy for McGrigors; Tom Smith, Chair of ACSEF; Mike Salter, Chair of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Edel Harris, CEO of Cornerstone outlined their priorities for the future and suggested ways in which Government and the private sector can work better together.

Topics from the floor included the role of renewables in an energy mix; the ideal framework for business, what politicians can do to help generate business growth and what Aberdeen should do to position itself as a leading city which will continue to attract inward investment.

Bob Collier, Chief Executive of the Chamber said: “Key themes emerging from the Q&A session were the agreement that complacency is not an option in ensuring future development. The business community and the wider electorate is looking for good governance, not politics from its elected representatives; it should be simpler and more straight forward to do business and politicians must be more innovative and forward thinking in their policies.

“What also emerged from the meeting, both from the panel members and the audience, was that there is a great deal of civic pride within the private sector and a willingness to invest personal time in supporting our region. We urge our local authority politicians, in particular, to harness this enthusiasm and expertise to support them in what they are trying to do to benefit the city and shire.”

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