07.11.2014
The Chief Executive of Virgin Money, Jayne-Anne Gadhia, will today deliver the key-note address at the Scottish Parliament’s annual business conference.
Now in its ninth year, ‘Business in the Parliament’ addresses the major issues that matter to Scottish businesses and today’s conference will tackle how to shape Scotland’s economic future.
Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer, the Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP, will chair the debate, said:
“As the nation’s Parliament, we are uniquely placed to host this event. It is right that Holyrood should be a forum for businesses and politicians to engage and debate how best to shape Scotland’s economic future.”
Ms Gadhia is expected to tell the conference:
"Clearly the time has come to move on from the referendum debate. Whatever your views, we now need to look forward to the next chapter of our country’s story, building upon the relative economic stability the UK is fortunate to enjoy.
“Our shared task and responsibility is to make enhanced devolution work, not just politically but in terms of generating economic growth and building prosperous communities.”
Murdo Fraser MSP, Convener of the Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, will outline the purpose of the conference and how business and politicians can work together.
He is expected to say:
“Engagement is very much our purpose today - to bring those involved in the politics of business closer to those embroiled in the business of politics.
“Profit needn’t be a dirty word. It should mean growth, jobs and investment. It should mean consideration of societal needs as well as economic needs. It should mean being attuned to the needs of communities as well as markets.
“It is in all our interests for Scotland to become a better place to live and work.”
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP said:
“The Scottish Government recognises the importance of rebalancing and reindustrialising the Scottish economy. We are working with business to support a culture of entrepreneurial ambition and innovation by attracting inward investment and growing exports.
“This conference brings together a diverse range of individuals and businesses from across all of Scotland with different experiences, talents and ambitions. 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.”
The event is jointly organised by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government and contributors to the event include:
- Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP;
- First Minister, the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP;
- Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, Murdo Fraser MSP;
- Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth John Swinney MSP;
- Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism;
- Brendan Dick, Managing Director, BT Scotland
- Jo Macsween, Joint MD, Macsween of Edinburgh
- Jane Wood, Scottish Business in the Community
Background
The sessions in the Debating Chamber will be broadcast live on Parliament TV.
More information (and full programme) about the Conference and previous events can be found at: http://www.businessintheparliament.org.uk/