GLASGOW Chamber of Commerce has highlighted international trade and the future of the city centre as its key points of focus, and added directors, including Glasgow Airport chief Derek Provan, to its ruling council.
Mr Provan, chief executive of Glasgow Airport parent company AGS Airports, is among nine new members of the chamber of commerce’s ruling council. The election of the new directors, drawn from a broad range of sectors, was confirmed at Glasgow Chamber’s annual meeting last night.
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Jim McHarg, divisional human resources director at Glasgow-based engineer Weir Group, continues as president of Glasgow Chamber. Paul Little, principal and chief executive of City of Glasgow College, is his deputy.
Mr McHarg declared that the dual focus during the year ahead would be international trade, in spite of ongoing Brexit uncertainty, and the future of Glasgow city centre.
He said: “Some time ago, our board took the view that, whatever the outcomes from the Brexit negotiations, our chief executive Stuart Patrick and his deputy Richard Muir and their team would develop strong links with Milan, Berlin and Nuremberg, and they will go again to Milan and Turin in February to promote trade for our members and investment for the city.
“We have also established links on the other side of the Atlantic with our counterparts in Manhattan and with business organisations in Dalian, China - one of Glasgow’s eight twin cities.”
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Mr McHarg added: “There is a lot to do in Glasgow city centre and we will be heavily involved with such issues as the Sauchiehall Street Task Force, the ongoing Avenues developments and the Connectivity Commission.”
The other new members of Glasgow Chamber’s ruling council are Craig Pollock, of Bank of McGarvie, corporate affairs director of Scotch whisky distiller Edrington; Carol Henry, group people director of Arnold Clark Automobiles; Catherine Topley, who runs Scottish Canals; Rhona Baillie, chief executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice; Lesley Thomson, managing director of public relations firm Spreng Thomson; Derek Tillery, of property consultancy Ryden, and Amanda Taylor, who chairs JCI (Junior Chamber International) Glasgow.
Mr McHarg said: “We have a very strong group of new directors joining us this year, adding to our council’s knowledge and experience at a time of increasing activity in the growth of the Glasgow economy and at an important time for the chamber and for the city.”
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