Scotland’s two foremost entrepreneurs have urged Scots around the world to ‘pull on the jersey’ and help boost business for Scotland.
Sir Tom Hunter said: “This is something we’re working on at the Hunter Foundation just now. When we studied Ireland and what they did, really performing this great economic miracle, one of the key things we found was business people in Ireland promoted ‘pulling on the jersey’.
“So wherever Irish people were around the globe, if there was a project and you didn’t know about Singapore, there would probably be an Irishman in Singapore who could help. Now our proposition is there’s probably a Scots person, there are maybe more, in Singapore or the Far East or America who can help.”
Speaking on the Go Radio Business Show With Hunter & Haughey, the Ayrshire-born business leader added: “I really want to get an elite group of Scots around the world to be pulling on the jersey for Scotland.
“So, if we’ve a scale up business and they want to break into the drinks industry in North America, for example, we can find somebody to ask: ‘Would you mind having a chat with them?’
“I’m trying to connect all of that just now.”
His radio show co-host Lord Willie Haughey noted: “Behind everything you are saying is that famous quote from one of the greatest politicians who ever lived, John F. Kennedy. He said: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.’.
“I think that, right now, this is exactly what we need.
“We need people in key positions to try to give something back, even if it’s just in the arena of their networking and bringing people together. We need help and I think this is a great shout out to the diaspora. Where are all of these wonderful clever Scots across the globe who can help us actually put Scotland back on the map?”
Sir Tom told listeners he had recently been in contact with Dr Liz Cameron, the Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, adding: “Liz told me she was going to be attending Tartan Week. Now, I don’t know too much about Tartan week in New York, but how about we make that the showcase for Scottish business?”
The New York City Tartan Day parade is the flagship event of NYC Tartan Week and this year Scottish actor Dougray Scott will lead 1,500 bagpipers, Highland dancers and clan members through the city streets on Saturday, April 6.
Sir Tom said: “When I spoke to the elite Irish business community they said: ‘Look, our embassies around the world are really a marketing centre for Irish business.’ I know Scotland maybe does have a few embassies – maybe they shouldn’t have! – but why don’t we make Tartan Week all about that?”
Lord Haughey said: “Let me give you an example of how right you are here. Glasgow Celtic FC’s Foundation, the charity, will have a major event in New York this week to raise funds. I think the last time Rod Stewart sang at it and they raised as much as half a million pounds.
“So the Scottish diaspora is out there and willing to help. There are Scots who want to give something back.
“In this instance it is people who help to give money that Celtic Football Club can use to help with poorer people in the East End of Glasgow – and they do a fantastic job.”
Sir Tom concluded: “If anyone is out there and they can say: ‘Tom, here is what we are doing,’ then let’s join it all together. Let’s pull on the jersey for Scotland!”
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