Borders company looks at international growth with support from GlobalScot network

The conference, which brought together over 100 GlobalScots from around the world with 200 of Scotland’s most ambitious companies, was chaired by Glasgow born and educated Gerry Rice, who is now deputy director for external relations of the International Monetary Fund.

Kelso based Scotmas Limited, who manufacture a wide range of innovative and effective products for water treatment, hygiene and environmental care, recognised the benefits of attending such an event.

Derek Cameron, Managing Director of Scotmas said “The conference gave us a tremendous opportunity to meet up with several key contacts who can help us expand our business. We have already had very positive responses from GlobalScots in Bahrain and both the USA and Canada, and we fully expect to secure good business in new areas.”

The theme of the conference was ‘Scotland’s global opportunity – great minds and innovation’, encouraging Scotland’s most ambitious companies to consider how innovation and creativity can provide a means to survive and prosper in the current climate.

Companies were keen to hear from GlobalScots such as Will Whitehorn, president of Virgin Galactic, Peter Robertson, former vice chair of the board of Chevron, Helen Sayles, vice president of Liberty Mutual and Don MacLeod who will shortly take over as chief executive of National Semiconductor.

Lena Wilson, who took over from Jack Perry as chief executive of Scottish Enterprise last month, also joined a panel of GlobalScots to discuss ‘Scotland’s global opportunity’.

Commenting on the conference, Wilson said: “We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from companies and from GlobalScots about the conference. I was genuinely delighted to see so many Scottish companies attending the event – a fantastic result given the fact that these companies are still operating in a really tough economic climate.

“This demonstrates that Scottish companies appreciate how important it is to look beyond traditional markets and exploit business opportunities overseas, and that they are prepared to get out there and make the connections which will help them to achieve this. These connections have the potential not only to generate new international business opportunities for Scottish companies, but to really accelerate Scotland’s economic growth.”

To find out more about the conference or the GlobalScot network, visit: www.globalscot.com