Enterprise and Skills Board revealed

The advisory panel of business and economic representatives tasked with creating a fresh strategy for enterprise and skills support in Scotland has been unveiled.

The Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board, which will meet for the first time on 13 December, will work to maximise output from public sector investment in these areas.

It features members with a wealth of business experience encompassing a broad range of sectors, sizes and locations, with further representation covering education, research, trade unions, local authorities and the new South of Scotland enterprise agency.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown welcomed the announcement as a significant step forward in adopting a new approach to the delivery of skills and business support.

He said:

“The Strategic Board for Enterprise and Skills will ensure that we are really maximising the benefits of our investment in Scotland’s businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs.

“We are rightly proud of our reputation as a nation of innovators. The support provided through this investment is greatly valued and it is important that it is properly co-ordinated, and focused on the needs of users.

“The members of the board have been chosen specifically for their expertise, both in their industrial and geographical areas.”

The board is chaired by Nora Senior, who recently completed terms as Chair of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and President of the British Chambers of Commerce.

It will align and co-ordinate the activities of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council.

Ms Senior, who is UK chair of global communications firm Weber Shandwick,‎ said:

“It is time for a different way of looking at the enterprise and skills agenda,  adopting a fresh approach  and responding to changing economic, business and innovation needs.

“With such an ambitious remit, it is essential for the board to feature a range of voices with a depth of knowledge and experience of Scotland’s economy. The calibre of members we have invited on to the board is hugely impressive,

“I am confident that together we can build on the strengths of our system of enterprise and skills support, strengthen the links with other skills organisations and wider community to further drive inclusive growth and innovation across the country.”

Background

The full panel of the Strategic Board –

• Wendy Alexander – University of Dundee
• Karen Betts – Scottish Whisky Association
• Liz Cameron – Scottish Chambers of Commerce
• Mike Cantlay – Scottish Funding Council
• Sara Carter – University of Strathclyde
• Lorne Crerar – Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• Audrey Cumberford – West College Scotland
• Jeanette Forbes – PCL Group
• Russel Griggs – South of Scotland Economic Partnership
• Poonam Gupta – PG Paper Company
• Steven Heddle – COSLA
• Bob Keiller – Scottish Enterprise
• John McClelland – Skills Development Scotland
• Gerry McCusker – Dog Digital, Chair of BIMA Scotland
• Scott McLarty – Spirit Aerospace
• Grahame Smith – STUC