• Internal promotions alongside new hires set law firm up for further success, following expansion in 2023.

Independent Scottish law firm Anderson Strathern has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of a partner and a further four directors.

The move strengthens Anderson Strathern’s commercial property, corporate law, commercial litigation, tax & accountancy, and private client teams. The three new hires bring with them expertise in sectors such as renewables, intellectual property, and hospitality.

New appointments:

• With more than 35 years in the profession, Kevin McGlone joins Anderson Strathern as a partner. Kevin has extensive experience in buying and selling businesses across the UK for local and foreign investors and operators, specialising in the hotel, hospitality, and care sectors. When not acting for buyers or sellers, he also acts for various funders and for clients in the buying and development of student accommodation sites.
• Janice Napier is a dual-qualified legal director with over 20 years’ experience in English and Scots property law, specialising in commercial property. Janice advises on corporate cross-border property transactions, as well as assisting landowners and windfarm developers on small scale wind projects. She also acts for pension funds on the sale and purchase of commercial property.

• Stephen Clark joins as legal director and has more than 15 years’ experience in commercial and corporate law. He is a notary public and holds a masters in information technology and telecommunications law. He advises on a broad range of issues, including M&A, joint ventures, restructuring, commercial contracts, corporate governance and has a particular specialism in equity investments.

Promotions:

• Scott Flannigan has been promoted to director following 13 years at Anderson Strathern. A litigator, he recently won The Legal 500’s ‘Dispute Resolution Rising Star of the Year’ award. Scott’s expertise spans commercial and corporate, professional negligence, health and safety, personal injury, human rights, and reparation law.
• Sophia Li becomes a director after 15 years at the firm. A chartered tax adviser, Sophia is an expert in tax, trust, and succession planning, and provides counsel to landowners, high net worth individuals, trusts, and family businesses. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Fraser Geddes, chair at Anderson Strathern said: “On the back of a successful 2023, and the relocation of our office in Edinburgh to Capital Square, we’re aiming for continued growth in 2024. We are proud of our commitment to promote from within, while continuing to attract some of the best talent in the industry.”

Thorntons Solicitors and Foras have agreed a new strategic partnership which seeks to help Scottish startups to realise “life-changing” opportunities across the globe.

As part of the initiative, Thorntons will be supporting and playing an active role in Foras activities, both in the UK and internationally, throughout 2024.

The year-long partnership is the first of its kind and follows the success of a previous collaboration when Thorntons provided funding for an excursion of 34 Scottish entrepreneurs to Lisbon last November.

Thorntons is home to a specialist Ventures and Innovation team, established to work with businesses targeting accelerated growth, and advising on corporate structures and governance; growth and exit strategies; private equity; commercial negotiation strategies; and intellectual property (IP) protection and commercialisation strategies.

Foras are expert facilitators in immersive international ​experiences for entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders. They run cohort excursions internationally focused on fostering ​peer connectivity, business partnerships, and investment ​opportunities. With Scottish and UK government backing, Foras showcase Scottish startups and scaleups to global ​tech ecosystems but also invite the world to set up their ​business and invest in Scotland.

Allan Cannon, CEO of Glasgow space technology firm Krucial, and an alumni of Foras’ 2022 Silicon Valley cohort, described the trips as “life-changing”. He said: “It’s hard to provide a full account of the learning I experience, but I can say for sure that it was ‘life-changing’. I made contacts and relationships that are likely to be game changers for our business.”

Foras’ next stop is Austin, Texas with a 14-person cohort of high-growth startups from across Scotland attending the South by Southwest conference (SXSW) for a week of business visits, networking, and a pitching showcase to an audience of US-based investors.

This will be complemented by a comprehensive programme of events throughout 2024 including multiple ecosystem events at Glasgow Tech Week, and Turing Fest, as well as immersive international cohort programmes.

Alistair Lang, Partner and Head of Ventures and Innovation, Thorntons, said: “It continues to strike me how much the Scottish startup ecosystem innovates and iterates to support founders in all sectors.

“Our team have experienced firsthand the free and trusting environment the Foras team creates with their cohort when we supported the Lisbon trip last year, and it was eye-opening and incredibly refreshing.

“They focus on providing wraparound support at all parts of the journey and its holistic approach aligns perfectly with how we deliver our High Growth Programme to over 70 scaling companies in the UK. We are delighted to partner with Foras in the delivery of their programme and to support their cohorts in realising opportunities across the world.”

Caro Melendez, Co-Founder, Foras, said: “Our work is very focused on bringing business leaders together for shared experiences and growth, and as part of that, it’s so important for us to have trusted, expert support for the challenges and opportunities that come up from our international programmes.

“With an incredible track record of supporting high-growth businesses in the UK, we’re delighted to partner with Thorntons to offer our growing community access to the right legal partners for their scaling trajectory.”

The eagerly anticipated “Hospitable Hosts Volume 3” book is set to hit the shelves and digital platforms, bringing together an exceptional collection of stories and expertise from the world’s most successful and knowledgeable short-term rental (STR) hosts. As part of a dynamic movement that prioritizes human connection in the STR industry, this book is a must-read for seasoned hosts, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the art of hosting.

The “Hospitable Hosts” movement began with a multi-authored book, uniting professional hosts from across the globe. With heartfelt narratives, the authors share their journey of passion, success, and entrepreneurship. From Australia to the United Kingdom, these stories offer a glimpse into the lives of hosts who’ve found love, business partnerships, and even saved lives through their unique hosting experiences.

The stories, which range from heartwarming to hilarious, not only entertain but also educate, offering valuable insights and hosting tips. All the authors are industry experts with years of real-world experience, making this book a go-to resource for anyone involved in or curious about the STR industry.

Join the movement and explore how these professionals have achieved financial freedom through hosting. “Hospitable Hosts Volume 3” provides a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the industry, whether you’re already an STR host or considering taking the plunge.

What sets this book apart is its commitment to giving back. A portion of the book launch proceeds will be donated to charity partners War Child and Great Ormond Street Hospital, making your purchase an investment in both your own knowledge and a worthy cause.

If you’re looking for inspiration, guidance, or just a great read, “Hospitable Hosts Volume 3” has something for everyone. Join the movement, change the way people travel, and contribute to a more connected and compassionate world.

About Hospitable Hosts

Hospitable Hosts Volume 3 is a multiauthor book project that brings together the world’s most talented and successful short-term rental hosts. This inspiring collection of stories and expertise is part of the Hospitable Hosts movement, which aims to foster human connection in the short-term rental industry. From hilarious anecdotes to heartfelt tales of success, this book offers valuable insights and tips from industry experts.

Sweet treat for Bonnie & Wild as Chulo’s Stuffed Cookies opens Food Hall pop-up for February school holidays

Kids are in for a monster cookie treat when they visit Edinburgh Food Hall Bonnie & Wild over the February half term.

The popular Edinburgh Food Hall is welcoming tasty start-up Chulo’s Stuffed Cookies into its Scottish Marketplace for an exciting pop-up over the holidays.

Kicking off this Friday, Chulo’s will have its own dedicated food stall within Bonnie & Wild, and promises to be a sweet hit with families.

Chulo’s is the latest Scottish venture to take over a space at Bonnie & Wild with the Food Hall championing innovative food and drink businesses, and providing them with the opportunity to showcase their brand and products within the busy St James Quarter.

Having launched from their home during the Covid lockdown, Chulo’s opened its first site in Glasgow’s trendy Finnieston in 2021 before opening a second bakery in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge last year. A regular at farmers markets and food festivals, Chulo’s owners Jordan Rankin and Rebecca Paterson have built up a loyal following of sweet-toothed cookie lovers.

Jordan said: We’ve been on an incredible journey since launching Chulo’s in 2021 – this pop-up is the next exciting step for us as we bring our legendary stuffed cookies to Bonnie & Wild and the St James Quarter. We’ve built up a wonderful and loyal following since launching so hopefully we can convert a few more during our holiday pop-up at Bonnie & Wild!”

Bonnie & Wild’s Managing Director Ryan Barrie said: “I’m a big fan of Chulo’s. I think their cookies are amazing and the I love the entrepreneurial energy of Jordan and Rebecca. It’s been great to see their success over the past few years as their stuffed cookies have really taken off. We’re all really excited about them coming into our Scottish Marketplace for the February holidays and enhancing our vibrant offer, while also adding something extra to guests coming in for the likes of Valentine’s Day and of course the Six Nations Rugby days too.”

Ryan added: “Chulo’s wonderfully complements our amazing and diverse family-friendly offer within the Marketplace that includes pancakes, pizzas and burgers, as well as Asian cuisine and more traditional Scottish fare. There’s something for everyone at Bonnie & Wild.”

The latest pop-up follows on from a series of activations, takeovers and events at Bonnie & Wild, which has also hosted pop-ups by Isle of Raasay Distillery, Okanda, Bernard Corrigan fishmonger and Ruby Flowers, with another pop-up planned for the month of March, and more throughout the year.

Representatives of British business gathered at Terminal 5, Heathrow today (Monday 5^th Feb) to join forces in calling for a new internationally competitive tax-free shopping scheme. 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Heathrow have today announced the launch of a new campaign urging the Chancellor to provide a £1.5bn boost to the economy with tax-free shopping for tourists.

Business leaders gathered this morning at Heathrow to join together in calling for a return to tax-free shopping for international visitors. Attendees included representatives of businesses across the UK, including Shevaun Haviland (DG of the British Chambers of Commerce) and Craig Beaumont (Chief of External Affairs FSB), the meeting was chaired by Dale Reeson (Director of Operations, Heathrow).

Attendees heard the damaging effect of the policy change with estimates putting the loss to the British retail sector at over £1.5bn a year. Attendees also heard retail spend at Heathrow declined by 37% during the first nine months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2019.

Those present argued that the Treasury could no longer dispute forecasts on the policy change but that there was now existing data which showed the hugely detrimental impact this was having on the UK’s tourism and hospitality sector.

A new internationally competitive tax-free shopping scheme would help turbocharge the UK’s retail and hospitality sectors, bringing benefit to all corners of the UK through economic growth and tax revenue.

The roundtable followed news that the OBR intends to re-examine the figures on taxation around tourist shopping in advance of the Spring Budget.

Shevaun Haviland, Director-General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

‘It was great to be at Heathrow today to hear how a new internationally competitive tax free shopping scheme would turbocharge Britain’s economy, helping retailers and hospitality venues across the country.

“The Chancellor in his Spring Budget has the chance to firmly show that Britain is open for business, he must seize it.’

Dale Reeson, Director of Operations, Heathrow said:

“We were delighted to be joined by the BCC and FSB today at Heathrow, coming together on the campaign to scrap the tourist tax, to level the playing field for British businesses.

“The UK’s international competitiveness is at stake as tourist spend in the UK is being overshadowed by other European countries, where goods are up to 20% cheaper. We must see policy change at the Spring Budget, which would benefit every town and city across Britian.”

Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said:

“Introducing tax-free shopping would be like switching on a huge, neon “welcome” sign for British business.  After years of turmoil, small firms across the UK are looking for reasons to be positive, and a £10bn benefit to the economy from a new tax-free shopping scheme, expanded to include the EU, would be a game-changer.

“With 30 days to go to the Spring budget, small firms in retail, hospitality and the supply chain across the regions will be looking to the Chancellor for a bold move like this – more visitors, more spend, more growth and prosperity, more jobs and more consequential tax revenues for HM Treasury.  Today was great to join forces with the British Chambers of Commerce and Heathrow Airport to make the case, together.”

Today, Jo Davidson, our Director of Policy, represented the Scottish Chambers of Commerce network at a Post Legislative Scrutiny of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 held by the Economy & Fair Work Committee at the Scottish Parliament.  Joining a panel which included the FSB and the Scottish Wholesale Association, Jo presented evidence gathered from members and the network on the efficacy of the 2014 Act now that it is almost 10 years old, with a particular focus on its impact in ensuring small and micro-businesses can access public sector opportunities, what barriers they still face, and how the Act might be improved.

The session covered a range of issues, from the administrative burden prospective bidders face in meeting procurement requirements, to supply chain issues, and the very real challenge of late payments.  Thanks to the feedback received from members, Jo was able to put forward examples of actual experiences in bidding to bring to life some of the challenges businesses face, and suggest improvements which could be made to increase access to opportunities.

The Committee will continue to take evidence from various sources until March, at which point a report will be issued on findings.  We hope they will take on board some of the issues raised today, and we can work together to ensure that the Act does what it was intended to by simplifying and encouraging businesses to access the significant commercial opportunities the public sector has to offer.

Read more on this here:

You can view the session on the Committee website which is here. 

Sixteen leading business representative groups have jointly written to the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister & Finance Secretary, Shona Robison MSP, to voice alarm at the Scottish Government’s consideration of a new business rate surtax and what it means for wider tax policy towards commerce.

The sixteen organisations represent a broad cross section of Scottish industry and commerce.

The collective call comes ahead of the expected Stage 1 debate and vote on the Scottish Budget at Holyrood later this week.

The joint letter was submitted to the Finance Secretary earlier this week. The text of the letter was:

Dear Deputy First Minister,

Stimulating greater levels of private sector investment is crucial to lifting Scotland’s rate of economic growth and in turn generating the jobs, wealth, and tax revenues to support public services that we all want to see. It is why we have backed the Scottish Government’s ambition for a dynamic, successful economy and attempts to deliver a step change in relations with commerce through the New Deal for Business.

That is why we were dismayed to read in the Scottish Budget that Ministers are considering the introduction of a new business rate surtax on retailers.

It is profoundly concerning that new taxes on business are being countenanced in such an arbitrary way and with apparently little regard to trading or economic conditions. We understand it is being considered to plug a gap in government finances.

The way the announcement was made falls well short of the thrust of the New Deal for Business, which talks of no surprises and involving business at the very inception of policy development. It contradicts New Deal commitments on a more competitive and less complex business rates system. It also reinforces the perception that Ministers view rates more as a revenue generator and less as a means to stimulate much needed commercial investment and growth.

We fully recognise that government over recent years has taken several positive steps on rates, including introducing three-yearly revaluations and retaining the uniform business rate. Yet the business rate for medium-sized and larger commercial premises in Scotland – 22,100 premises across all sectors – is set to soar to a 25-year high from April.

Businesses make investment decisions based on the opportunities ahead but also the costs of operating and predictability of tax and regulatory decisions. A more ad hoc and less predictable approach to business taxes in Scotland sends out a poor message. We fear this move opens the door to other sectors being similarly targeted, particularly if the projected fiscal gap widens.

We therefore urge you to reject introducing fresh complexity, cost, and unpredictability into the rates system with a new surtax, or with similar taxes aimed at other sectors in the future. We want Scotland to be a great place to do business and a clear signal from you that economic growth is the priority would be a positive step.

Yours sincerely,

David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium

Alan Anthony, Scotland Chair, Revo Community

Grahame Barn, Chief Executive, Civil Engineering Contractors Association

James Barnes, Chairman, The Horticultural Trades Association

Sandy Begbie CBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Financial Enterprise

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Marc Crothall MBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Tourism Alliance

Karen Dee, Chief Executive, Airport Operators Association

James Filus, Director, National Association of Shopfitters

Meryl Halls, Managing Director, Booksellers Association of the United Kingdom

Mark Kent, Chief Executive, Scotch Whisky Association

Catherine McWilliam, Nations Director, IoD Scotland

David Melhuish, Director, Scottish Property Federation

Tavish Scott, Chief Executive, Salmon Scotland

Colin Smith, Chief Executive, Scottish Wholesale Association

Jane Wood, Chief Executive, Homes for Scotland

 

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“Retailers are alarmed to see that the Scottish Budget had an unwelcome surprise for them, a business rate surtax, which could undermine their efforts to keep prices affordable for consumers during a cost-of-living crisis and a period of high inflation.

“The New Deal for Business committed to involving businesses at the inception of policy development, but no one was consulted on the introduction of such a surtax, which has caused dismay among the business community.

“The Scottish Government must urgently reconsider this move, to restore confidence in both the New Deal for Business and provide assurance that business growth remains the priority.”

UK leading provider of news and views on the legal sector, RollOnFriday, has named Burges Salmon the ‘Best Law Firm to Work at 2024’

Burges Salmon is delighted to announce that it has been named the RollOnFriday ‘Best Law Firm to Work at 2024’, an accolade that the firm has achieved for the third year in a row.

With the majority of the firm participating in this year’s survey, respondents have the opportunity to rate how satisfied they are with their career development, pay, management, work/life balance and their firm’s culture. Burges Salmon has historically performed very well in the RollOnFriday survey and today’s hat-trick of results underscores the firm’s distinguishable and positive culture in UK legal sector, which is deeply rooted in delivering an exceptional service to its clients.

Burges Salmon’s Managing Partner, Roger Bull, says: “To have been named the RollOnFriday ‘Best Law Firm To Work At’ in both 2022 and 2023 was great. But to find out that we are the only law firm to have achieved this significant accolade for a third year in a row is simply tremendous.

“These important wins for our firm mean so much and we are thrilled, as this award recognises our collaborative and unique culture, which is reflected through the positive feedback that we receive from clients. The fact that the results are solely based on our people’s individual opinions makes this achievement even more meaningful. We take immense pride in this recognition, which is a testament to the commitment and passion that all of our people have for our clients, for supporting one another, and for fostering a wonderful, vibrant firm-wide culture.”

Further demonstrating its commitment to its people and communities, in 2023 Burges Salmon was named one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women for third year running, won the Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Champion of the Year award at the 2023 Bristol Law Society Awards, was recognised as the Overall Leader 2023 in the Lamp House Strategy Responsible Business Annual Report, and saw recognition for its commitment to, and expertise in, climate change, sustainability, and governance in The Legal 500 Green Guide.

Roger Bull concludes: “At Burges Salmon, our purpose is to ensure that our clients, our people and our wider communities continue to flourish. A culture of fairness and support runs through the heart of our business and that’s why we’re so proud to be crowned as the best law firm to work at in the UK for the third year in a row.”

• Brookside has been streamed over 14 million times since February 2023
• In Scotland, classic show streamed more times than Coronation Street and Emmerdale across the year
• Liverpool and Isle of Man revealed as hotspots for Brookie fans

Former Brookside actors Sunetra Sarker and Alex Fletcher have said they’re “thrilled” and “super proud” that the much-loved soap has been streamed over 14 million times in the year since STV Player brought it back to screens.

The free streaming service became the first platform to relaunch the show from the very start on 1 February 2023 – adding five new episodes every Wednesday – and the 280 episodes that have since been released have amassed a total of 14.4 million streams. That figure equates to 5 million hours of viewing across the year.

In Scotland, where STV Player has exclusive streaming rights to Channel 3 network content, individual episodes of Brookside received a higher number of streams than current soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale (between 1 February 2023 and 1 February 2024).

Loose Women star Sunetra Sarker, who played Nisha Batra in Brookside, said: “I am thrilled that so many people have been watching Brookside again on STV Player after all these years. I’m so proud to have discovered my acting career through this incredible, groundbreaking soap from back in the day, and still have so many fans of the show reaching out to remind me how important Brookside remains.”

70% of Brookside streams on STV Player’s direct-to-consumer platforms have come from outside the area served by the STV broadcast channel (central and northern Scotland). Perhaps unsurprisingly, 10% of all consumption has taken place within the Liverpool area, where Brookside is set.

And 78 nautical miles across the Irish Sea from Merseyside, the Isle of Man is proving to be a particular hotspot for Brookie fans. The average STV Player viewer on the island has streamed 68 episodes of the show – nearly a quarter of the 280 episodes currently available on the platform.

STV Player viewers have now reached episodes of the show from July 1985, meaning they’ve watched the equivalent of almost three years of the soap’s original timeline (it launched in November 1982).

Some of Brookside’s most memorable moments and storylines are set to feature this year, including the harrowing rape of Sheila Grant (played by Sue Johnston) and the dramatic nurses’ siege at Number 7, which will stream from 14 February.

Alex Fletcher, who played Jacqui Dixon on the show for 13 years and now stars as Diane O’Connor in Hollyoaks, said: “I am super proud that after all these years, Brookside is still in high demand. It’s brilliant to know we still have a huge fan base – proved by the show being streamed by millions!

 “The positive reaction around the Brookie re-runs has blown me away, but its success doesn’t shock me as it’s so nostalgic for people. We told gritty, down-to-earth stories through relatable characters. With less choice of channels back in the day, people were more invested in what they watched so it’s even nicer to know that Brookie is still holding its own, even with all the choice that’s out there now.”

Available for free to viewers across the UK, STV Player can be found on all major platforms, including Sky Q, NOW, Virgin Media, Amazon Fire TV and Freeview Play.

Brookside is available to stream from the start on STV Player, with five new episodes added every Wednesday.

The British Chambers of Commerce People and Work report outlines a 10-point plan to boost workforce skills, by supporting people at every stage of their journey through education and employment. 

Among the recommendations to politicians are:

• An industrial strategy that is fit for purpose. 
• Funding a business support service to help employers identify, plan and invest in workforce skills. 
• More investment to make Careers Information, Education and Guidance a mainstream priority for school leaders. 
• Recognition of employers who invest in workplace training, through the tax and procurement systems, and a new skills investment kitemark. 
• Boost in-work progression through better access to apprenticeships and learning pathways and by reducing barriers to work.
• Reduce the burden and costs on employers who need to access the immigration system for global talent. 

The ‘People and Work’ report is being published at an event hosted by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, taking place on Wednesday 7th February at the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

It is the second of five policy documents being published by the BCC’s new Business Council as part of the ‘Future of Economy’ project. The report draws on expertise from businesses of all sizes and sectors, academia and think-tanks.

It identifies that ‘the UK’s labour market is at a crossroads’, with vacancies well above pre-pandemic levels, sitting at around one million, and skills shortages still hampering growth. Looking ahead it says, ‘the workplace is changing, and so are the skills required to navigate it’.

The role of Government is crucial in tackling the skills crisis and the report makes clear ‘business needs an industrial strategy that is fit for purpose’.

It also calls for better skills planning at a national, local, employer and individual level, including longer term investment in Local Skills Improvement Plans.  It says ‘short-term policies’ from a national level are holding regions back.

It outlines how more investment in high quality impartial careers education will ‘overcome cultural stereotypes, increase diversity and improve opportunities’. It should be a ‘mainstream priority for school leaders, embedded in every part of the curriculum’.

The People and Work group acknowledge the crucial role of apprenticeships in tackling skills shortages and creating opportunities for individuals.  Calling for reforms to the system, the report says while the apprenticeship levy ‘has increased funding and helped improve quality’, levy paying employers often struggle with the inflexibility of the levy, ‘finding it more akin to a tax’.

To support businesses and economic growth when employers have done all they can to recruit and train locally, the report calls for an ‘effective immigration system’, while ‘addressing systemic skills shortages across the domestic labour market’.

The report concludes, ‘as increased digitisation, automation and greener policies change our workplaces, government and employers need do to more to help individuals overcome barriers, gain a better balance of academic and technical skills, a hunger for lifelong learning and more personal resilience and flexibility’.

Martha Lane Fox, President of the British Chambers of Commerce and Chair of the Business Council said:

“Attracting and retaining people with the right skills is crucial for business. But far too many firms are currently struggling to do that. At the British Chambers of Commerce, we hear directly how this is damaging firms’ ability to meet order books, take on new work and operate profitably. It’s also impacting on the workload and morale of staff.

“We face a huge challenge in the workforce. We need to focus on recruitment, retaining and retraining. This report sets out a holistic approach that is extremely action-oriented.

“A long-term industrial strategy from Government needs to be underpinned by changes to local skills provision, a more flexible apprenticeship levy, better careers education and an immigration system that works for business.”

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, Chair of the ‘People and Work Challenge Group’ said:

“To grow our economy we need more skilled, engaged and motivated people to contribute to the workforce.

“The barriers that block people’s access to great and rewarding jobs are also the barriers to economic growth. Our report clearly shows how those barriers can be overcome. Businesses must be able to harness the skills, creativity and potential of everyone who wants to work.

“Over the past few months, it has been a privilege to lead discussions between businesses, stakeholders and Chamber representatives on these important issues.

“We now urge all politicians to use our recommendations as a blueprint for boosting skills and putting the economy on a strong footing for the many opportunities ahead.”

Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan, Former Education Secretary said:

“If we get education and skills right – people and business flourish. It enables us all to play our part in a thriving economy. This report from the BCC powerfully highlights the role both government and employers have, in supporting people on their learning and work journeys.

“It comes at a crucial time, as companies are crying out for more people to join the workforce with the right skills. We need to urgently break down the barriers that prevent people from achieving their full potential in the workplace.

“The UK is one of the largest and most innovative economies in the world. But that will only continue if education and skills remain a top priority for policymakers. This report is an excellent blueprint to show how business and Government can work together to deal with the current challenges and future opportunities. “

Phil Kenmore, Director Corporate Development and Partnerships, The Open University – and member of the People and Work Challenge Group said: 

“Through our close partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, The Open University has actively contributed to this report, sharing more than five decades of experience in working with the business community to develop skills for work through the delivery of high quality, lifelong learning to individuals.

“We strongly support the report’s narrative that skills development should be seen by business leaders as an investment and not a cost, and that businesses, particularly smaller employers, need support and funding to strategically develop the skills they need.

“There is a long-term, embedded skills gap which holds back the economy, and the report correctly places lifelong training and education as central to tackling this structural issue. The Open University has a proven track record in collaborating with employers across the public, private and third sectors in delivering a range of flexible learning pathways.

“These partnerships, which span across all four nations of the UK, have proved crucial for organisations looking to make the shift from simply recruiting new talent, towards developing their own more diverse, skilled workforces – driving retention in the process. We hope this report helps to open up these opportunities to more workers at all levels and all ages, and that the recommendations are heeded by current and future governments.”

Daniel Fell, Chief Executive, Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, and member of the ‘People and Work Challenge Group’ said:

“South Yorkshire, like all parts of the UK, has its challenges in relation to skills.  However, as a consequence of devolution, through new institutions such as University Technical Colleges and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Training Centre, and agile partnerships formed through the development of a new Local Skills Improvement Plan, our region has proven that it can work together to meet the complex needs of local employers. Indeed, South Yorkshire’s approach to skills has been pivotal in recently attracting new investors to the region such as Hybrid Air Vehicles.

“In South Yorkshire we are proving that regional players can work together to deliver the skills that local employers covet. However, we could go further and faster with some shifts in government policy and with further devolution. This report sets out a number of ways in which that could happen to the benefit of SMEs in places like South Yorkshire and beyond.”

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce said: 

“Skills and recruitment continue to be the primary issue for businesses as they struggle to get the right staff and the right training to meet their order books and grow their businesses. Our work through local Chambers across the country has highlighted critical skills gaps in sectors such as hospitality, care, manufacturing and construction, that are holding our businesses and entrepreneurs back.

“Only by giving firms the staff and skills they need to thrive will we start to see the national economy grow. So, we welcome the recommendations of this report which builds on the findings of our local skills improvement plans. It looks beyond our current domestic workforce and highlights the need for devolved skills budgets. It needs businesses at the heart of the planning process and companies working with providers to deliver flexible, business focused training.