Tartan Day 2010 Gets Down to Business

Issued: 9 April 2010

For the third year running, Tartan Day's week of special events included the Tartan Day Scotland Business Debate. The debate, entitled 'High Noon 4', was held on Thursday, April 8 at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel and was organised by Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.

This very well-attended debate provided an excellent opportunity for members of the local business community to hear the views of three highly-influential figures from the Scottish business world: Bob Keiller, Chief Executive Officer, Production Services Network (PSN); John Rendall, Scottish Chief Executive, HSBC; and Barry White, Chief Executive, Scottish Futures Trust.

Bob Keiller explained how building on strong core values such as 'integrity', 'health & safety' and 'people' has helped PSN succeed financially while also greatly enhancing the company's reputation. Bob also described how these core values have resulted in PSN establishing 24 schools in Bangladesh and securing a future for Glencraft in Aberdeen - which provided manufacturing jobs for the blind and people with a disability until it was put into administration in November 2009 - and offering as many former staff as possible the opportunity of new employment.

Barry White of the Scottish Futures Trust stressed that, in the current economic climate, the public purse had to be stretched as far as possible. "The Scottish Futures Trust has been set up by the Government to ensure value for money in infrastructure investment, such as new schools, roads and hospitals," he said. "We're trying to make the most of every pound available, using different techniques."

John Rendall of HSBC, sponsors of the Tartan Day Scotland Business Debate, focused on the benefits of moving into the international business market. "The continuing trend is for trade to grow at twice the rate of the global economy," predicted John. "And, at HSBC, we believe that, for the foreseeable future, the emerging markets will grow faster than the developed markets. "

The Tartan Day celebrations are an Angus Council tourism and community initiative. The Angus celebrations now extend to a week, from April 2 until April 10, with over 50 events taking place across the county.

To find out about all the events taking place across Angus during Tartan Day Scotland, which is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, visit the What's On in Angus page.

The Tartan Day Events Guide is also available from accommodation providers and visitor attractions in Angus, Dundee, Perth and Aberdeenshire and at museums, libraries and Access offices in Angus.

     

Barry White, Chief Executive, Scottish Futures Trust; John Rendall, Scottish Chief Executive, HSBC; Bob Keiller, Chief Executive Officer, Production Services Network (PSN); Chris Lundie, Vice President, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce; Alan Mitchell, Chief Executive, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.