First Minister Announces BCS Ambassadors
From top left Dr Lesley Sawers, Chair, BusinessClub Scotland; Lee McConnell; John McGlynn; First Minister Alex Salmond; Charles McGhee
BusinessClub Scotland aims to ensure that firms across Scotland capitalise on the business opportunities from the Year of Homecoming, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and other major events in Scotland. It was launched in February and has already attracted 1500 members.
As part of the new programme, BusinessClub Scotland members will benefit from the Ambassadors’ time, expertise and networks. The Ambassadors will also help to mentor and support members as they look to grow and expand their business and networks through club activity.
The role of the Ambassadors will be:
• To promote Scottish events and event expertise in the domestic, UK and international markets
• To assist with hosting and facilitating business networking at business and sporting events
• To support SMEs seeking to grow their business through our national events programme
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
“I am delighted to welcome our new BusinessClub Ambassadors to our drive to help and support businesses to enable a strong economic recovery for Scotland. The Ambassadors will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table which will be of huge benefit to the 1500 businesses already involved in BusinessClubScotland (BCS).
“Each Ambassador is a leader in their field and will help club members to realise the opportunities presented by Scotland’s impressive events calendar in the run up to Glasgow 2014 and beyond.”
“BusinessClub Scotland is already helping businesses compete for the millions of pounds spent on major events every year in Scotland. The numbers of members involved in BCS shows its strength and succsess since first launched earlier this year. Here, at The Open Championship we have three businesses who managed to win lucrative business at this global event.
Jim McColl, Chair of Clyde Blowers said:
"I'm delighted to lend my support to this initiative. Scotland enjoys a fantastic international reputation through our world class events programme including the Open Championship and the Edinburgh International Festival. In 2014 we'll host the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games - the largest event ever to be hosted in Scotland. This initiative will provide ongoing support to the club to ensure that our businesses can maximise the economic potential from these events"
Dr Lesley Sawers, Chair, BusinessClub Scotland, said:
“BusinessClub Scotland has been a huge success so far and we are keen to maintain the momentum through the participation and support of leading business and sports figures. The Ambassadors will help Scottish businesses to realise their potential and take full advantage of the opportunities presented by Scotland’s events calendar.
Lee McConnell, Olympic athlete, said:
“I was delighted to be asked to act as an Ambassador for BusinessClub Scotland. From my trips to sporting events around the world, I have seen first-hand how other countries have benefitted from similar schemes and look forward to lending my support, both in this Year of Homecoming and in the run up to 2014.”
BusinessClub Scotland will continue to develop a bank of BusinessClub Scotland Ambassadors over the next two years. All Ambassadors will be leaders in their field and will act as Champions and Advocates for the club.
Interested businesses can register for membership of BusinessClub Scotland at no cost by visiting www.businessclubscotland.co.uk
For further information contact:
Jane Gotts
Programme Director
BusinessClub Scotland
077380 10926