30.10.2015
Over 200 leading business figures will gather at the Scottish Parliament today to discuss opportunities for growth in Scottish business.
Now in its 10th year, Business in the Parliament will see politicians together with senior business representatives gather to discuss topical issues such as unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs, exporting, skills and learning and also how to tackle the practical issues that can hinder business growth.
Scottish entrepreneurs Rosemary Eribé, founder and Managing Director of ERIBÉ Knitwear and Lesley Eccles, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of FanDuel will both address the conference. ERIBÉ Knitwear is one of Europe’s largest hand-knitting companies based in the Scottish Borders. FanDuel is a global leader in fantasy sports entertainment founded in Edinburgh.
The Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, Murdo Fraser MSP, First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP will also address the conference, which is being chaired by the Presiding Officer, Tricia Marwick MSP and held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said:
“This conference is guaranteed to generate a wide variety of views by bringing together the world of politics and business in this unique event. This offers politicians an opportunity to listen to over 200 of Scotland’s leading business people on what they can do to help businesses in Scotland to succeed.”
Convener of the Economy Committee Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“This conference will bring together businesses at all stages of development from start-ups to well established businesses with multi-million turnovers. One thing all businesses want to achieve is creating opportunities for growth and this conference will offer the opportunity to speak to like-minded business people and politicians about unlocking their potential.”
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:
“The Business in Parliament Conference is a great opportunity for business people and politicians from across all of Scotland with different experiences, talents and ambitions to come together to explore the key issues which will drive our future economic and business success.
“Everyone attending shares a common goal, we all want a Scotland that grows and prospers. It is important that we work together, rise to the challenges and maximise the opportunities for business here in Scotland.”
Background
The programme for the event will also include a range of workshops led by a number of senior business leaders in Scotland.
The morning session being held in the Debating Chamber will be webcast live and will be available to watch from 9am on Friday 30 October.
Hosted jointly by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, the event is supported by all the main business organisations in Scotland (CBI Scotland, Federation of Small Business, Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Institute of Directors, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Women’s Enterprise Scotland, Young Enterprise Scotland and Scottish Financial Enterprise) as well as the Scottish Trades Union Congress and the Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange.