Scottish Enterprise Chairman visits the west of Scotland
The chairman of Scottish Enterprise Crawford Gillies has visited the west of Scotland to learn more about the region’s strengths and challenges.
Mr Gillies met with Scottish Enterprise colleagues based in Glasgow to find out how the organisation is working with local companies and industry sectors to help them grow during the current economic climate.
As part of his trip Mr. Gillies visited local company S3 Interactive (S3i) based at Clydebank Business Park who repair and recycle mobile phones. Mr. Gillies was able to hear directly about the company’s growth aspirations from S3i’s management team as well as hearing about some of the present challenges facing their company in the difficult economic climate.
Mr Gillies said: “Despite the current economic conditions, it is clear there are a number of companies in the west of Scotland who have been successful in seizing the opportunities that still exist to grow their business as well as face the challenges head-on.
“S3i is an impressive, highly entrepreneurial business that has robust plans for a sustainable future in both the short and longer term. I am pleased that my Scottish Enterprise colleagues are working closely with the company to support their ambitious plans for growth.”
Mr Gillies added:” The launch of our recent Business Plan highlighted how Scottish Enterprise intends to support our customers in responding to the challenges they are currently facing while also trying to ensure they are in the best possible position to respond when the markets pick up again.”
Ewan Fraser, marketing and sales director at S3i said: “Scottish Enterprise has worked closely with S3i since the start-up stage some four years ago and has assisted the business in a number of areas including e-commerce, international support and management development. I was delighted to welcome Crawford to S3i and share with him our future growth plans. We have been grateful for the support we’ve received from Scottish Enterprise and look forward to working with them in the future.”
Crawford Gillies is Chairman of Control Risks Group Holdings Ltd, Hammonds LLP and Touch Bionics Ltd; and a Non-Executive Director of Standard Life Plc. He was an independent member of the DTI's Management Board and Strategy Board from 2002 to 2007, and chaired the DTI's Audit and Risk Committee from 2003 to 2007. He is a former Chairman of CBI London.
Mr Gillies is committed to developing Scottish talent internationally. He is a long-standing member of SE's International Advisory Board and has chaired the Saltire Foundation since 2007.