A major exclusive poll of Scottish business leaders features in this latest edition of Business HQ Monthly.
The views offered, on a range of questions on matters including the relative performances of the Scottish and UK governments and whether Sir Keir Starmer’s administration will mitigate the detrimental effects of Brexit, make for interesting reading.
So do the views on whether the Labour government has got off to a good start on business and the economy, and on a couple of other big questions.
It was fascinating to analyse the numbers when they came in from the poll, conducted with the Institute of Directors in Scotland, as I composed this month’s big read.
Catherine McWilliam, nations director for the IoD in Scotland, offers her insights on the findings and on broader issues affecting the business community in this month’s edition. Elsewhere, Scott Wright interviews the chief executive of a major Scottish manufacturer, which supplies installation solutions to the global network sector.
Tony Rodgers, who has overseen the bold international expansion of Emtelle, has some forthright views on what he perceives to be a lack of a meaningful industrial strategy in the UK.
Read more
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How has First Minister move affected business view of SNP Government?
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Poll: How do business leaders rate chances of independence vote within decade?
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Scots manufacturing chief slams lack of industrial strategy
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Scotland's largest shopping centre to be sold at fraction of previous value
- Golf in Scotland: Grassroots sport can be better by half
Kristy Dorsey observes that visitor income and volunteers are the backbone for many of Scotland’s estimated 170 nine-hole golf courses, which offer their “own charm” in a bit of a “quirky, Scottish way”. She speaks to two clubs, Abernethy in the Highlands and Isle of Skye, which have seen substantive increases in visitor numbers in recent years.
Meanwhile, Sarah Campbell interviews a business owner who set out to bring a taste of “coffee mecca” to a Scottish island and is now celebrating the launch of his new micro-bakery and viennoiserie this spring.
Economist Stephen Boyd, of IPPR Scotland, writes that the early skirmishes in the run-up to next year’s Scottish Parliament election indicate economic growth is likely to be a key issue.
Graham Bruce, managing director of Richardson & Starling, reflects on issues including the challenge of an ageing housing stock as the business marks its 90th anniversary this year.
Brodie Gillan, a knowledge exchange associate at the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, writes about the challenges facing the hospitality sector.
Ailsa Sheldon reports on the Scottish producers and restaurateurs getting into the gut health and fermentation game.
Fashion entrepreneur and regular columnist Antoinette Fionda-Douglas writes that “gender equality cannot wait another 131 years”.
Scott Wright, meanwhile, looks at those who have had a good month, and those who have not.
The Herald’s business writers once again share their expert perspectives on key business and economic developments as they reflect on what t
hey have been writing about during the past month.
Business and life coach Ed Haddon and tech entrepreneur Ian Ritchie give their insights in their regular columns.
I hope you enjoy this month’s edition, and find it valuable and informative.
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