The voice of the nations

This week, Tracy Black, CBI Scotland director, has appeared on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland and written an opinion piece for The Scotsman. Angela McGowan, CBI Northern Ireland Director, has written a column in the Irish News. And Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, has had a piece in the Western Mail and BusinessLive.

They all put forward their views of the change that is happening at the CBI – and the importance of winning back trust among the strong membership base we have in the devolved nations.

And they were clear on why it matters.

In The Scotsman, Tracy said: “With a new First Minister in Bute House, a defining general election looming, and huge uncertainty still circling the economy, it feels like there is real work to be done – particularly at a Scottish level. Ensuring business has a seat at the table when it comes to determining and delivering Scotland’s economic policy is perhaps more important now than ever. Our decades-long battle against low productivity won’t be resolved without the strong and decisive leadership the CBI can provide.”

In the Irish News, Angela said: “After 25 years of peace, we owe it to the next generations to have another 25 years of prosperity. The onus is now on the CBI to be at the forefront of delivering that growth for future generations, whether that’s in technology, decarbonisation or life sciences…

“There’s so much to do here in Northern Ireland and my brilliant local team, are committed to doing that, just as we are ready to lead the fight on restoring devolved government and boosting economic prosperity across every corner of Northern Ireland.”

In the Western Mail / BusinessLive, Ian said: “Our policy teams have been working hard on the freeports in Milford Haven, Port Talbot and Holyhead; decarbonisation, following the South Wales Industrial Cluster’s Plan for Clean Growth; the proposals for a small modular nuclear reactor which could benefit Gwynedd and across north Wales…

“Then there is the eagerly-awaited UK semiconductor strategy, which is so important to cities like Cardiff and Newport. We also helped shape the new Innovation Strategy (from the Welsh Government) which will help create the high-tech employers of tomorrow and are providing insights into business needs and opportunities to achieve Wales’s net zero by 2050 target.

“Our policy teams get to the heart of business issues and move the dial in terms of local policy and wider understanding of these issues.”