08/06/2012
Two of Scotland’s most successful entrepreneurs, Sir Tom Hunter and Jim McColl will today be part of a major event in the Scottish Parliament. The seventh annual Business in Parliament conference will debate how we can inspire the next generation of business people in Scotland.
Leading entrepreneurs, business people and academics from across Scotland will tell the event how entrepreneurialism can deliver sustainable economic growth at all stages of a business – whether this be at start-up, when exporting, or when the business is in transition.
Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP said
“I’m delighted that the Scottish Parliament can today provide a platform for debate by bringing together over 200 leading names from the world of business, politics and the public sector.
“The seventh annual Business in Parliament event provides an exciting and unique opportunity to discuss and debate the role of entrepreneurialism in delivering sustainable economic growth in Scotland.”
Sir Tom Hunter said:
“Scotland’s future is in all of our hands; we need to stand up and be counted and deliver for the future of this proud, proud nation.
“Do what we have always done and we will be defeated; innovate; experiment; aim high, aim long and I do believe we can reinvent the modern world.”
The event is jointly organised by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government and contributors to the event include:
- Presiding Officer 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;
- Head of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Professor Sara Carter OBE;
- Director of Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland, Geoff Leask;
- Vice President Sales, International Beverage, Malcolm Leask.
Murdo Fraser MSP, Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, said:
“At a time when our economy is in the doldrums, we need innovative thinking, bold solutions and a joined up approach to help get it moving again.
“Some of the most successful business people in Scotland today will tell us what we need to do to inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow”.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Economic Growth, John Swinney MSP, said:
“The Scottish Government, with our enterprise agencies and Local Authorities, work closely with business and industry to ensure the country continues to be a competitive place to do business, generating innovative ideas and new entrepreneurs. Scotland is recognised for its contribution to shaping the modern world through innovation and it is important we work together to build on this reputation and ensure Scotland retains its position as the most competitive environment to do business in the UK.
“The Business in Parliament Conference is a great opportunity for leading business people, academics and politicians to come together to discuss how best we can encourage, inspire and support Scotland’s entrepreneurs to realise their growth plans and contribute to Scotland’s economic success.”
Background
The Business in Parliament event has a full programme of speakers that will address over 200 delegates.