SCOTTISH businesses need to be “more ambitious, think bigger and adopt a much more international mindset” in the wake of the Brexit vote, according to the outgoing chair of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

Delivering the Chambers’ annual business address in Glasgow last night, Nora Senior said that while the future is uncertain after the June referendum, Scotland “needs to use the opportunities this exit presents to become a passionate advocate for international trade, global markets and internationalisation”.

“The UK’s future as a trading nation no depends on business and government working together to answer some of the tough question about how best to reimagine, rebuild and deepen its relationships around the globe,” she said.

“The highest priority will have to be to ensure that Scotland remains open to the rest of the world with firms able to trade and invest easily with international markets and Scotland remaining an attractive destination for international investment coming here.”

Ms Senior, who is chair for the UK regions and Ireland at communications agency Weber Shandwick as well as president of the British Chamber of Commerce, said that given the protectionist stance being taken by a number of G20 countries the onus will be on Scottish business to take the initiative.

“Now is a perfect time to look at a unique Scottish model for international trade, with the public and private sector working together to deliver a model that will create stronger links between Scotland and our overseas trading partners,” she said.

Ian McConnell; Page 23