£10m boost for South of Scotland

A new partnership  will devise a fresh approach to economic development in the south of Scotland, with a £10million injection for enterprise in the area.

The Scottish Government has revealed the public and private sector partners who will make up the South of Scotland Economic Partnership, which will pave the way for a dedicated enterprise agency for the region, supported by funding announced in last month’s Budget.

The partnership features members with a wealth of business experience across sectors, sizes and locations relevant to the South of Scotland, as well as representatives from education, the third sector and the public sector.

As well as bringing together key partners to boost the economic performance of the south of the country, the Scottish Government has provided a significant investment package worth £10 million.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said:

“This new partnership for the South of Scotland will be responsible for delivering a new approach to economic growth across the region as we prepare for the establishment of a new economic development agency for the South of Scotland.

“A range of key people with business, education, public sector and third sector experience have agreed to be members of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership, and we will back their commitment with additional resources of £10m to boost economic development activities in the South of Scotland.

“The Partnership will ensure that the South of Scotland benefits from a dedicated focus in advance of the establishment of a new statutory agency.”

Mr Brown confirmed Professor Russell Griggs OBE as private sector chair of the body, and Borders Council’s Rob Dickson as the public sector lead back in November.

Professor Griggs OBE said:  “I am pleased to be working with people with such a wide range of skills, expertise and commitment to the South of Scotland.  The Partnership is now ready to bring a fresh approach to economic development to the South.  We’re ambitious for the area and determined to make early progress.”

BACKGROUND

The full membership of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership is:

Chair of the Partnership - Professor Russel Griggs, OBE

Members bringing private sector expertise

Tom Barrie, Currie Solutions

Alistair Cameron, Scotmas Ltd

John Fordyce, Three Stills Company Limited

Paula Ogilvie, Borders Book Festival and Bright Spark Partners

Tracey Roan, Roan’s Dairy

David Sulman, UK Forest Products and Scottish Timber Trade Association

Lorna Young, Indigo Words

Members bringing third sector expertise

Amanda Burgauer, Scottish Rural Action

Helen Forsyth, Berwickshire Housing Association

Fred Murray, Old Luce Community Council

Members bringing further and higher education expertise

Barbara Kelly, Crichton Leadership Group

Tony Jakimciw, Borders College

Members from public sector organisations supporting economic development in the South of Scotland

Chris Brodie, Lead Head of Skills Planning  and Sector Development, Skills Development Scotland

Douglas Cowan, Director, Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Michael Cross, Interim Director of Access, Skills and Outcome Agreements, Scottish Funding Council

Tracey Logan, Chief Executive, Scottish Borders Council

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive, VisitScotland

Iain Scott, Chief Financial Officer, Scottish Enterprise

Gavin Stevenson, Chief Executive, Dumfries and Galloway Council