A leading Scottish political insider has joined Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce to support its policy and lobbying work.
Fergus Mutch will work with the Chamber as a Policy Adviser to ensure the region’s business voices are heard at the highest levels of government.
Between 2015 and 2020, Fergus was the SNP’s Head of Communications and Research during an intense political period covering five elections and the Brexit referendum.
He joins the Chamber at a critical time, as businesses in the region recover from the economic impact of Covid-19 and plot their way through the energy transition.
Ryan Crighton, Policy Director at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Fergus brings a depth of knowledge of the political landscape, both in the North-east of Scotland and across the UK.
“He has established himself as a regular columnist and commentator on Scottish politics, often proving a ‘critical friend’ of the government, in particular over support for the oil and gas industry in the transition to net zero.
“Over the last two years the Chamber has spoken up loudly on behalf of business, pointing out the damaging impact on many companies of public health policies. As we emerge from the pandemic period, it’s vital that we return to a position where we can help to design good policy rather than calling out bad. Fergus will provide a crucial bridge for that work.”
Fergus was born and brought up in Old Aberdeen and went on to study law at the University of Glasgow and University College London.
In 2012, he recognised there were exciting political times ahead and made the jump, working for the First Minister Alex Salmond through the 2014 referendum.
Now a Braemar resident, Fergus is most at home up a hill in walking boots or ski boots. As a keen piper and musician, he keeps a hand in the creative sector as a trustee of arts venue St Margaret’s Braemar.
Fergus said: “Business and governments need to work together to maximise the potential of economic recovery and take full advantage of the opportunities of energy transition.
“The solution to that shared challenge must be built on trust and solid policy foundations and I’m delighted to be supporting the Chamber in that task with such a critical period ahead for the North-east.”