THE Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) has announced a number of key appointments to its board which it says are designed to bring a new dynamism and focus to the organisation, and to create a practical blueprint for Scotland’s economic future.
The new board members include Clyde Blowers CEO Jim McColl; Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Karen Betts; Royal Bank of Scotland chief economist Stephen Boyle; former Scotland Office minister Lord Andrew Dunlop; Cornerstone chief executive Edel Harris; Ray Riddoch, UK managing director and VP Europe, of Nexen Petroleum UK; and VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead.
The SCDI says the appointments are among a raft of changes that reflect to its members ambition and an investment in people and technology. These have followed the appointment of its new CEO, Mark Bevan, in May.
President Lady Susan Rice said: “The SCDI holsd a unique place in Scottish life looking at how businesses, the public sector and government can all work together to secure sustainable economic growth.
These new appointments, and the decision of these leaders from across Scotland to help guide the organisation, shows the strength we have in convening those who want to shape this country’s future.”
Bevan added: “SCDI’s board has demonstrated exceptional strength in identifying the need for change in Scotland, for a need for all of the actors in our economy to become architects of our economic future and to put our economy to work for everyone who lives here.
“Following my appointment in May, we undertook a thorough review with the assistance of our members and supported by McKinsey and Company. The conclusion of that review, is that the SCDI has a unique role to play as Scotland’s economic and social forum and that there is an urgent need to act.
“This means drawing from our near 90-year heritage and setting a level of future ambition commensurate with Scotland’s leading lights across the private, public and not for profit sectors.
“I am delighted to announce a number of high level appointments from across civic Scotland to complement our existing board.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here