18.02.2008
More than 200 business men and women from across Scotland will meet this week at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the challenges to achieving sustainable economic growth.
The two-day long conference, a partnership event facilitated by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, runs from 21 to 22 February and aims to engage the business sector and politicians in policy debate and to focus on key outcomes to grow the Scottish economy. The title of this year’s Business in the Parliament Conference is “opportunity challenge – achieving sustainable economic growth”.
Tavish Scott MSP, Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee said:
“I am delighted that for the fourth year the Scottish Parliament is hosting this conference in partnership with the Scottish Government.
“This is a great opportunity for politicians to engage directly with the business community and hear its views on the challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainable economic growth.
“It is imperative that we also encourage an open and creative dialogue where we can focus on the key aim of growing the Scottish economy.”
Each MSP has been invited to nominate a business leader from their constituency or region to attend the conference thus ensuring that businesses of all sizes from across the length and breadth of Scotland are represented. Representatives will have the opportunity to question Ministers during an hour long Open Forum session within the Debating Chamber. The session will be broadcast live on the web.
John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth said:
“Engaging, listening to and working with business is crucial to making Scotland a wealthier and fairer place. Government alone cannot meet this crucial challenge – Scotland needs to involve all sections of society, including business, if this country is to achieve increased sustainable growth. I look forward to hearing what business people want to say to Government and to MSPs, and to develop further the momentum we are building around our key goal.”
The following business leaders will address the conference:
- Ian Marchant, Chief Executive, Scottish and Southern Energy and chair of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group
- Susan Rice, Chief Executive, Lloyds TSB Scotland and member of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group
- Professor John Kay, visiting professor at the London School of Economics and member of the Council of Economic Advisers
- Karol Rzepkowski , Managing Director, No Catch Cod, Shetland Isles
Ian Marchant, Chief Executive, Scottish and Southern Energy and chair of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group said:
"These are challenging times for businesses of all kinds, and one of the biggest challenges of all is climate change. With consultations taking place on a proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill, the conference provides an ideal opportunity to bring businesses and MSPs together to discuss the really key issues. I also hope the conference encourages MSPs to maintain a business-friendly approach to policy-making in Scotland and businesses to respond constructively to the legitimate issues of concern to MSPs."
Susan Rice, Chief Executive, Lloyds TSB Scotland and member of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group said:
“One of the key concerns of sustainable economic growth is how we use resources - we have to ensure that Scotland is not living beyond its means, both now and in the future. Bringing businesses and politicians together, at the Business in Parliament Conference, is a good way forward if we are to address the business, social and environmental costs of our economic growth.”
The Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson MSP will welcome around 200 delegates, including business representatives and more than 50 MSPs, at an evening reception on the first night of the conference.
The following day, delegates will hear from a range of speakers and participate in a series of discussion sessions focusing on topics such as the energy industry, tourism, food and drink, financial services industry, electronics markets industry and the life sciences and biotechnology industries.
On Friday morning the First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP will make an opening address to the conference.
In addition to those nominated by their local MSP, the business representatives will include members of the following organisations:
- Confederation of Business Industry (Scotland)
- Federation of Small Businesses (Scotland)
- Scottish Chambers of Commerce
- Scottish Council for Development and Industry
- Institute of Directors (Scotland)
- Scottish Trades Union Congress
A full delegate list will be available on the day.
The conference will close with a speech by John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.
The conference programme is as follows:
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Thursday 21 February, 2008
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6.30pm
7.00pm
8.00pm
10.00pm
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Guests arrive
Reception – Hosted by Alex Fergusson MSP, Presiding Officer
Dinner
Close
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Friday 22 February, 2008
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8.15am
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Arrival and registration
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9.00am
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Welcome – Alex Fergusson MSP, Presiding Officer (Debating Chamber)
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9.10am
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Opening Address - The First Minister, The Rt. Hon Alex Salmond MP MSP
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9.20am
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Views from the Committee - Tavish Scott MSP, Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
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9.30am
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Views from the business community
- Ian Marchant, Chief Executive, Scottish and Southern Energy and chair of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group
- Susan Rice, Chief Executive, Lloyds TSB Scotland and member of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group
- Professor John Kay, visiting professor at the London School of Economics and member of the Council of Economic Advisers
- Karol Rzepkowski, Managing Director, No Catch Cod Ltd, Shetland Isles
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10.20am
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Discussion Sessions (Committee Rooms)
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12.20pm
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Feedback and Open Forum (Debating Chamber)
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1.15pm
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Closing speech – John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth |
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1.30pm
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Closing Remarks - Alex Fergusson MSP, Presiding Officer
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Discussion Sessions
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Session
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Minister/MSP host
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Chair
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1 – “Achieving sustainable economic growth in the life sciences and biotechnology industries”
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Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning
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John Brown, Chairman, Scottish Biomedical
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2 – “Achieving sustainable economic growth in the energy industry”
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Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism
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Keith Mitchell, Clyde Blowers
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3 – “Achieving sustainable economic growth in the financial industry”
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John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth
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Owen Kelly, Chief Executive, Scottish Financial Enterprise
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4 – “Achieving sustainable economic growth in the tourism, food and drinks industries”
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Tavish Scott MSP, Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee and Maureen Watt MSP, Minister for Schools and Skills
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Allan Burns, Chairman, Scotland Food and Drink
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5 – “Achieving sustainable economic growth in the creative industries (including electronics markets, digital content and technologies)”
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Bruce Crawford MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business
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David Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Critical Blue Ltd
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6 – “A discussion on the proposed Climate Change (Scotland) Bill”
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Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change
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David Sigsworth, Chair, Scottish Environment Protection Agency
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7 – “Challenging management conventions in business and government, with practical presentations from two experts”: Mr Stuart Ross of Ross International and Mr John Seddon of Vanguard and visiting professor at the LERC, Cardiff University
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David Whitton MSP, Member of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee and Adam Ingram MSP, Minister for Children and Early Years
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Not applicable
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