Today 200 Business people from all sorts and sizes of companies from all over Scotland publicly declare that they are voting YES – they see it as “the business and jobs opportunity of a lifetime for this and future generations”.
“We are involved in business and entrepreneurship at different levels in Scotland and around the world. We believe independence is in the best interests of Scotland’s economy and its people.
An independent Scotland will recognise entrepreneurs small and large as the real wealth and job creators of the nation’s economic future. It will encourage a culture in which innovation, endeavour and enterprise are nurtured. It will place power in the hands of Scotland’s people to channel the huge resources of our country in the interests of those who live and work here.
We will gain the powers to give our many areas of economic strength even more of an advantage in an increasingly competitive world. There will be more opportunities for our talented and determined young people to stay and succeed here in Scotland.
We believe Westminster governments do not and never will pay sufficient attention to the interests of Scotland’s economy. The tax raids on our oil industry and pensions funds by Labour and Conservative-led governments are clear examples of a short-term focus rather than a long-term strategy. Scottish industry is so often treated as a cash cow rather than a strategically important part of a more prosperous and fairer society.
The real threat to Scotland is the real possibility of a British exit from the European common market. Scotland must look outwards to the world of opportunity that awaits us. A yes vote is the business and jobs opportunity of a lifetime for this and future generations.”
Signed in a personal capacity by the following:
Harvey Aberdein, Managing Partner, Aberdein Considine
Sandy Adam, Chairman, Springfield Properties plc
Mohammed Afzal Ali, Director, Toor Investments
Irshad Ahmed, Director, Manspeak Ltd
Andrew Aird, MD of Border Couriers
Alistair Aitchison, Director, Kilted Kangaroo
Tony Aitken, Director, AP Aitken
Kenny Anderson, Co-Founder of Anderson Construction
David Anderson, Chief Executive, AP Systems
Ann and William Angus, Proprietors of Clunie Guest House
Lesley Ann Parker, Owner of Leap Scotland Ltd
Richard Arkless, Founder of LED Warehouse
Raja Aziz ur Rehman, Owner of R & M wholesale LTD
Tony Banks, Chairman of Business for Scotland and Balhousie Care
Frances Barron, Owner of Dessert Depot
Alistair Barron, Director, Barron Wright Partnerships
Alan Beck, Owner of Alan Beck Product Design Ltd
Craig Bedworth, MD of CGB Translations
Jim Bennett, Director of SIS Scotland
Ian Blackford, MD of First Seer
Ian Bremner, MD of Youngson Insurance Consultants
John Buchan Skipper, Fairline Surveyor, Aberdeen
Patrick Byrne, CEO of Pursuit Marketing
David Cairns, Chairman of Prism Tech
Alistair Cameron, Managing Director, Scotmas Group
Gen Cannibal, Director, Pro Genus Environmental
Mary-Anne Case, Proprietor, Blackhall Framing Gallery
Allan Chalmers, Director Chalmers Commercial Finance Ltd
Neil Clapperton, Managing Director, Springbank Distillery
Laurie Clark, Founder of ASC Group Ltd
Alan Clark, Owner of Clark’s Bakery
John Clark, Owner, Belmont Communications Ltd
Graeme Coghill, MD of Aberdeen Group Ltd
Ben Cooper Owner, Kenetics
Bob Costello, Sidlaw Executive Travel
Bill Coull, CEO at Comtest Wireless Europe
Gillian Cowan, Owner of the The Jewell Room
Paddy Crerar, CEO of Crerar Hotels
Gordon Darge, Proprietor of MAK Architects
Adam Davidson, Bo Concept, Scotland
Peter De Vink, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Financial General Holdings
Alan Dickson, Director, Bradshaw’s Nursery
Elaine Donegean, MD of Wedding Wise
Andy Donnell, Owner of Lightning PC’s
Scott Downie, Managing Director of Hungry Boy Productions Ltd
Peter Drummond, Director, Peter Drummond Architects
Colin Dunn, Director, Plexus Media
Brian Durkin, Braid Wines and Altar Supplies
David Dwyer, Inspire Web Development
Andrew Fairlie, Chef Proprietor, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie
Shahid Farooq, Director, Smartways
Tricia Fox, MD, Volpa Marketing
Athole Fleming , MD of Athole Design
Paul Fletcher, Managing Partner, at Enabling Innovation
Alasdair Forbes, Primary Partner, Achvaneran Farm Partnership
Hugh Fraser, Managing Partner (Middle East), global energy law firm, former Group Head of Legal Wood Group
Kevin Gibney, Director, Get-A-Reel.com
John Gibson, Director, Broxburn Properties
Alistair Gilchrist, Founder, AJG Business Consultancy Ltd
Donald Gillies, Owner, Gillies Transport Islay
Andrew Graeme, CEO of Inchbrakie Group
Sir Patrick Grant of Dalvey, MD of Grants of Dalvey
Cynthia Guthrie, Joint MD of Guthrie Group
David Halliday, Owner of David Halliday Solicitor
David Hanley, Director, Competence Matters
Kat Heathcote, Director , Witherby Publishing Group
Gordon Henderson, Owner, Foxlane Garden Centre
Joe Henry, Founding Director, Planys Cloud Limited
Bobby Hill, Chief Executive, Hydracrat
John Hunter-Paterson, Owner of John Hunter Paterson Insurance
Dr. Arshi Ilyas, Director of Innovation Business Ltd.
Carole Inglis, Owner, Isle of Skye Fudge and Chocolate Company
John Innes, British Venture Capitalist of the Year and Venture Capital Chief Executive of the Year, former Chief Executive Amor Group
David Keegan, Director of Bothy Bikes
Kevin Key, Director, A Star Sports
Alan Knight, Director of Invisible Emperors
David Lafferty, Owner, Aqua Energy
Joe Lafferty, MD of Lifetree
Steven J Lawrence, Director, TCD Architects
Ian Lawson, MD of Pest Protection Services
Derek Louden, Financial Director& Company Sector, ITP Solutions Ltd
Alison Mabon Founder, DM Roofing
Iain Macbeath, Owner, Macbeath Architects
Dan MacDonald, Chief Executive MacDonald Estates
Professor Sir Donald MacKay, Former Chairman, Scottish Enterprise, founding director of an oil company and a bank and non-executive director, Malcolm Group
Colin MacKinnon, Owner, Strathaven Airfield
Marie Macklin, Chief Executive, Klin Group
Donald Maclean, MD, Business Cost Conusltants
Niall Maclean, Director, Geo-Rope
Lewis Maclean, MD of Maclean’s Highland Bakery
Alex MacLeod, Director, AG Tech Limited
William MacMillan, Director, Firth Plumbing, Heating and Roofing.
Graeme Macmillan, Owner, Macmillan Financial Planning
Mohammed Mahmood, Director, M & K Scotland Ltd
Mark Mair, MD of Skibo Technologies
Khalil Malik, Director, K Malik & Co Accountants
Nasim Malik, Managing Director, GFS Mortgages
Derek Mallon, Business for Scotland
Brandon Malone, Solicitor Advocate and law firm partner
Jack Marshall, Director, Tapside Coffee
Sir George Mathewson Chairman, Toscafund and former Chairman and Chief Executive, Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Jim McColl, Chairman and CEO of Clyde Blowers plc
Gerry McCusker, Owner, Dog Digital
Helen McDonough, Owner, Kennedy + Co Hair
Ian McDougall Owner, McDougall Johnston
Gordon McFarlane, Owner of Uplift Media
James McGoochin, Director, J.M. Builders.
Ron McGregor, Co-Founder McGregor Garrow Architects
Duncan McKellar, Owner, McKellar Sub Sea
Fiona McKenzie, Director and Co-Founder, Centre Stage Music Theatre
Sheila McLean, Director, Muriel Management Ltd
Brian McManus, Managing Partner Pisces Engineering Services
Ian and Thea McMillan, Directors, Chambers McMillan Architects Ltd
Isabell McNicoll, Owner, Business Time Saver
Les Meikle, Owner, Wise Property Care
James Meldrum, Proprietor of Mel Décor
Robert Miller Director , McAdam King Glasgow
Morag Milligan, Operations Manager, Milligan’s Coach Hire
David Morrison, Director, Sangobeg
Barry Morrison, Owner of Barry Morrison Timber Harvesting Ltd
Stephen Mulhern, Owner of Lendrick Lodge
Brian Munro, Owner, Pat Munro Construction
Jil Murphy, Co-Founder Thin Red Line Design
Alan Murphy, Owner of Inverness Cash Registers
Ron Murray, Founder, Safety Scotland
Yvonne Murray Director, Northern Roots Events
Omar Nabi, Director, Ahmad & Nabi McMulan
Muhammad Naveed, Managing Partner, Clyde Accountants
Mian Naveed Qasar, Chief Executive, Vision International Ltd
Alan Neill, Director, Neill Technical Services
Bruce Newlands, Director , Kraft Architecture
Richard Nicol, Chief Executive Commsworld
Douglas Norris, MD Of Datec
Mairi Oakley, Owner of Darach
Eunice Olumide, Entrepreneur
Eddie O’Neill, Owner, Translations for Industry
Gillian & Kevin O’Neill, Founder of 29 Studios
Sandy Orr, Co-Founder, Mint Hotels
Mike Peddie, Owner of Secret Scotland
Dr. Mireille Pouget, Director of Erin
Professor Nathu Puri, Founder, Purico
Jamie Rae, Chief Executive, Craignish Development Group
Frank Ralph, Shorline Motors and Property Limited
Mohammed Ramzan, Chairman, United Wholesale Grocers
Anne Rendall, Vine Marketing Group
Nighet Riaz, Owner of Riaz Property
Andrew Richardson, Owner Tax Assist Accountants
Mark Riddell, MD of M3 Networks
Jan Robertson, Manager of Willow Bank House
Andrew Robertson MD, 1st Eco Tech Ltd
Michelle Rodger, Founder of Tartan Cat Communications
Vivienne Rollo, Owner, Kishorn Seafood Bar
Bill Samuel, Private investor
Jim Savage, Director, Chemikal Records
James Scott, Former Executive Director, Scottish Financial Enterprise
Adrian Searle, Co-Founder of Freight Books / Freight Design
Ashfaq Shaq, Director, A Shah & Co Ltd
Kenneth Shaw, Owner, Canape Wines
Mark Shaw, Chief Executive, Hazledene Group
Kevan Shaw, Owner of KSLD
Tommy Sheppard, Director of Salt’n’Sauce Promotions
Muhammad Shoaib, Shoaib Associates
Alan Simpson, Owner of Minute Man Press Paisley
Helen and Mark Smith, Directors, Montana Home Care
Mark Sorsa-Leslie, Director, Zargonic
Sir Brian Souter, Chairman of Stagecoach Group plc
Stewart Spence, Owner of Marcliffe Hotel
Jim Spowart, Founder, Standard Life Bank and Intelligent Finance
Alasdair Stephen, Director Owner, Hebridean Homes
Neil Stephen, Partner, Dualchas Building Design
Philip Stewart Owner, Kangaroo Print
Gary Sutherland, Director, Harrowden IT
Neil Sutherland, MD, Makar Ltd.
William Tait, Director, Klondyke Fishing Company Limited
Frank Taylor, Owner of Indigo Sun
Robert Taylor, Director, Iformis Ltd
Christine and Robert Thomson, Owners of Cairngorms Solutions Ltd
Ralph Topping, Retired as Chief Executive of William Hill plc this month
Angus Tulloch, Edinburgh Fund Manager
David Urquhart, Founder of David Urquhart Travel
Malcolm Wadia, Director, Plysim
Abdul Wahid, Director, Kashmir Stores Ltd
Dr. Jim Walker, Chief Executive, Asianomics Group
Gerry Wallace, MD, GEM Lift Services
James Wallace, Owner of Alba Business Service
Euan Walls, Owner of Innovate Create
Terry Walls, MD of TEW Stationers
Ron Warbrick, MD of Frame Shop and Gallery
Dennis Webster, MD of Fireisk
Fergus Weir, MD of Teclan Ltd
Robertson Wellen, Proprietor, Ferintosh
Allan Whiteside, MD, Direct Line Timber
Willie Wilson, Owner, Thistle Pharmacies
David Wood, Owner, Northern Oils Group
Ivan Wood, Director, Ivan Wood and Sons Ltd
Ronnie Young, Director of Aquatron Ltd
Lorna Young, Owner, Indigo Words
Muzaffar Yusaf, Owner, Yusaf Co. Ltd
You can join them either privately or publicly just Sign the business declaration
[…] of hundreds of business people who have given their support to a Yes campaign. For example, in Aug 200 firms sealed Business for Scotland’s open letter ancillary a box for […]
[…] of hundreds of business people who have given their support to a Yes campaign. For example, in Aug 200 firms sealed Business for Scotland’s open letter ancillary a box for […]
[…] of hundreds of business people who have given their support to a Yes campaign. For example, in Aug 200 firms sealed Business for Scotland’s open letter ancillary a box for […]
[…] https://www.businessforscotland.com/200-business-people-declare-for-yes-with-an-economic-vision/ […]
[…] https://www.businessforscotland.com/200-business-people-declare-for-yes-with-an-economic-vision/ […]
An impressive list but as a generally concerned scot with business interests across the uk could you please explain how paragraphs 3 & 4 will be converted into concrete policies rather than nebulous “visionary” proclamations.
With the very real prospect of no currency union you must agree there is significant risk to business especially with the suicidal threat of debt repudiation.
Even if all the uk parties caved in and gave us a currency union what’s to stop them either offering such punitive terms for doing so and also setting debt restrictions so that we would have no choice but to hang on to the coat tails of a no doubt right of centre uk government. Where would the benefits of independent socially just control of our economy be?
Also as a serious businessman you must be aware that arbitrary use of the pound without a currency union , and not paying our share of the debt that WE as part of the UK accrued, would be fatal to any business expecting to sell products to the uk market. It would also be immoral as it wouldn’t be Westminster that would pay for it but the ordinary citizens of this island we all inhabit.
a very concerned fellow proud scot.
[…] Stagecoach chairman Sir Brian Souter, Clyde Blowers boss Jim McColl and retired William Hill chief executive Ralph Topping are among those who have signed the letter which argues independence is in Scotland‘s economic interest. The full list can be found here. […]
Wow! So many names! My heart sunk when 130 came out yesterday, only to fly when I read down all these names. All I can say is a big thank you to the organisers, participants, and the people who take time to read this.
Congratulations to whoever coordinated this sign-up process in such a short space of time. No mean feat. It put the No camp straight back onto the back foot.
Keep it up. Only 3 weeks until we win if we all stay determined, stay focused and stay persuasive.
And one could add hundreds more to the above list! These are the businesses that really matter for the future of Scotland.
Listening to the Today programme this morning (28th)where a spokesman mentioned that Scottish businesses were being charged by British Embassies for trade promotions. Various UK officials were immediately online to refute this and the conclusion drawn on air was that the statement was not true. I’ve had a look online to see if there was a clarification on here or on t’net. I can see a couple of stories ref William Hague and Whisky. Is this the source of the statement? If so (or if there’s others) I think you should be clearing up any confusion and / or informing the Today programme. (I didn’t hear the last 30 minutes of Today so there may well have been a further clarification – in which case… oops)
The claim that SDI has been charged for using embassies to promote whisky is proven and we have responded robustly to both the Trade Minister and the BBC who are considering our request for a retraction. https://www.businessforscotland.com/scotlands-exporting-body-charged-for-promoting-whisky-in-uk-embassies/ I hope that answers your question. The BBC were totally unprofessional.
[…] Stagecoach chairman Sir Brian Souter, Clyde Blowers boss Jim McColl and retired William Hill chief executive Ralph Topping are among those who have signed the letter which argues independence is in Scotland’s economic interest. The full list can be found here. […]