Business Comment Magazine

In this issue, we explore the critical topic of the future workforce—a challenge that touches every business and educational institution. Ensuring access to skilled and adaptable talent is essential for achieving the thriving economy we all aspire to. Edinburgh’s reputation as home to one of the UK’s most educated workforces has been central to its sustained success, and this edition highlights the efforts shaping the workforce of tomorrow.

We delve into transformative initiatives, such as the University of Edinburgh’s Data Driven Innovation projects at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, which are equipping leaders to make informed decisions. Edinburgh College’s collaboration with NHS Lothian showcases innovation in healthcare training, while Heriot-Watt University shares its pivotal role in Scotland’s growing space sector, poised to create thousands of high-value jobs.

Frances Hegyi, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh International Festival, discusses how the city’s iconic festivals are cultivating creative talent pipelines. Alongside these features, the magazine celebrates the inspiring and innovative contributions of our members and partners.

As the year closes, Edinburgh’s business community remains vibrant and resilient. Enjoy this edition, rich with ideas and inspiration.

In this issue of Business Comment, we focus on Sustainability and Innovation, featuring groundbreaking work from our partners and members. Highlights include the Edinburgh International Conference Centre’s inaugural Impact Report, detailing impressive reductions in carbon emissions, electricity usage, and waste.

Edinburgh College and Edinburgh Napier University showcase their efforts to support businesses through innovation and sustainability initiatives. Scottish Water and Edinburgh International Airport also contribute with updates on sustainability achievements.

Additionally, RoslinCT and Edinburgh Leisure share their pioneering work in healthcare and addressing social inequalities. Enjoy reading!

In the latest issue of our magazine, The City of Edinburgh Council leader Cammy Day offers an optimistic perspective, outlining positive progress in the city from new developments to our skilled workforce and a record breaking year for Real Wage sign ups.

We also hear from new Forth Ports Limited CEO, Stuart Wallace, on their plans to work towards net zero emissions by 2032 and how the ports play a crucial role in Scotland’s Green Economy. However, the city still faces challenges, including homelessness, which Cyrenians Chief Executive Ewan Aitken addresses, emphasising the human and economic costs of the issue.

A range of partners and members also showcase their work across the city, from data centres to ESG. Enjoy reading!

This issue focuses on international business and the importance of exploring new markets in a competitive global landscape.

We feature Heehaw, our 2024 International Business of the Year, who discuss their global growth and new international clients. Francesca Hegyi of Edinburgh International Festival discusses the Festival’s role in fostering international links for the city. VisitScotland highlights sustainable tourism and international collaboration, while City of Edinburgh Council looks at the impact that the Taylor Swift Era’s Tour has had in Edinburgh. We also address the rising cost of recruiting skilled foreign workers and the transition to net zero.

In the latest Business Comment issue, we explore the pivotal role of technology and data in driving Edinburgh’s economic growth. Professor Kim Graham sheds light on the city’s ambitious Data Driven Innovation program, set to elevate Edinburgh as Europe’s data capital.

Learn about groundbreaking initiatives like The National Robotarium at Heriot Watt’s campus, driving advancements in AI and Robotics for sectors like healthcare. Discover insights on cybersecurity, investment opportunities with Archangels, and IBM’s take on Generative AI. Plus, explore efforts to bridge the gender gap in tech and data skills.

We hope you enjoy the magazine.

The latest edition of Business Comment focuses on the trends and challenges in the talent and skills landscape. Industry leaders share insights, including the launch of Skills Development Scotland’s employer hub for upskilling, the positive impact of the Living Wage campaign on city employees, and Phoenix Group’s initiative empowering staff to shape their career paths. The magazine covers a Talent and Skills conference at Edinburgh College aimed at collaborative solutions, updates on the Chamber’s Net Zero journey, and thought-provoking perspectives on hybrid working from Ann Frances Cooney, a partner at DWF.

In this issue, we hear about the work that is going on across all kinds of sectors to tackle climate change and make our world more sustainable. For example, Alan Laidlaw, Chief Executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, talks us through some of the innovative things that are happening in our food production sector. Elsewhere there is advice for SMEs on net zero, and we hear from organisations as varied as the award-winning environmental charity Changeworks through to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland about how they are each making a difference.

In the magazine, we are focusing on our Economy, and in particular its resilience. It is a huge topic and, while it is one that is currently in the news in many guises, it does not always get the serious and open debate it merits. After all, so much of what we view as important in Scotland hangs from our economic success (or failure) – our health, our wealth, our education, our jobs and opportunities.

That is why, in this issue the Chamber continues to beat the drum for a Modern Scottish Industrial Strategy – a vision to take us forward and remove us from the current short-term nature of our policy cycle. The economy is quite simply too important to be subject to the vagaries of party politics, and that is why the Chamber is calling for a Strategy that is created with Cross-Party support, that takes a medium to long-term view, and that can withstand changes in political hues.

Elsewhere, and as ever, the magazine showcases the innovation, creativity and leadership of our business community.

Enjoy the read.

Our focus in this issue is on International Connections. The vast majority of us take great pride in Edinburgh’s status as an undeniably international city, with a positive image around the world for the beauty of our city, its world-leading culture, our history of innovation and invention, and as a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

What we may not always understand is the vital importance to our city of that international status. So much of what Edinburgh is and does depends on our international connections.

As always, elsewhere in the magazine you can learn about the policy workcarried out by the Chamber on behalf of its members, and as always there ismuch to enjoy and admire in the work and success of our members.

Enjoy the magazine.