Business for Scotland

Business for Scotland
Name	Business for Scotland
Formation	2012
Type	Private company limited by guarantee
Status	Advocacy group
Headquarters	Edinburgh, Scotland
Region served	Scotland

Business for Scotland Business for Scotland is a Scottish private company and campaign group formed in 2012 to promote Scottish independence and influence public policy on commerce in Scotland. It positions itself at the intersection of business advocacy and constitutional debate, engaging with stakeholders across the Scottish Parliament, the House of Commons, and international forums. The group has been active in electoral cycles, policy consultations, and industry events.

History

Business for Scotland was established in the lead-up to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, contemporaneously with organizations such as the Scottish National Party, Yes Scotland, Common Weal (political project), Better Together, and Scotland United. Founders and early supporters included entrepreneurs and executives with ties to firms and institutions like Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Life, Macleod & Co., Baillie Gifford, RBS Group, and regional chambers such as the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses. The group engaged with policymakers associated with the Scottish Parliament and with figures who have served in the UK Parliament. Post-2014, Business for Scotland continued activity during subsequent events involving Brexit referendum 2016, the United Kingdom general election, 2015, the United Kingdom general election, 2017, and debates around the post-referendum period.

Mission and Objectives

Business for Scotland states objectives aligned with promoting market opportunities and constitutional change affecting commerce, aiming to make the case to entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate boards. It frames arguments in relation to fiscal and monetary institutions such as the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, and concepts embodied by the International Monetary Fund. The group communicates with financial markets represented by entities like London Stock Exchange Group, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and advisory bodies including Institute of Directors and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Activities and Campaigns

Business for Scotland has run campaigns targeting sectors represented by organizations such as Oil and Gas UK, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Scottish Tourism Alliance, CBI, and trade associations including the British Chambers of Commerce. It has produced briefings and opinion pieces engaging media outlets like The Scotsman, The Herald (Glasgow), The National (Scotland), The Guardian, Financial Times, The Times, Daily Record, BBC Scotland, Sky News, ITV News, and international press including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Events and roundtables have seen participation from leaders linked to University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University, and business schools such as University of Edinburgh Business School, Adam Smith Business School, Strathclyde Business School.

Organization and Leadership

Leadership and spokespeople have included directors, chairpersons, and advisory board members drawn from the Scottish private sector, with professional histories involving BAE Systems, ScottishPower, SSE plc, Aggreko, Standard Life Aberdeen, Forth Ports, Cameron Mackintosh Limited, RBS history affiliates, and consultancies like PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, and Ernst & Young. The group has engaged former politicians and public figures who have served in roles connected to Scottish Conservative Party, Scottish Labour Party, Scottish Liberal Democrats, and independent members of the Scottish Parliament. Advisory interactions have referenced regulatory and public bodies such as Office for Budget Responsibility, Her Majesty's Treasury, UK Supreme Court, Court of Session, Financial Conduct Authority, and Competition and Markets Authority.

Funding and Affiliations

Funding for Business for Scotland has been reported as derived from membership subscriptions, donations from private individuals, and corporate supporters including entrepreneurs affiliated with Technology Scotland, Digital Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and private equity connected to Scottish Equity Partners. The organization has declared links of affiliation and cooperation with think tanks and projects like Institute for Public Policy Research, Adam Smith Institute, Fraser of Allander Institute, Centre for European Reform, Open Europe, and civic networks including ScotlandIS and Young Scots for Independence. It has also been contrasted with funding models of groups such as Better Together, Scotland Forward, and Business for Britain.

Reception and Criticism

Reception of Business for Scotland has been mixed across media, business groups, and political parties. Supporters have compared its advocacy to business-oriented campaigns such as London First and Business for New Europe, while critics have likened its methods to partisan efforts like Better Together and Vote Leave. Commentators in outlets including The Scotsman, The Herald (Glasgow), and The National (Scotland) have scrutinized its claims on fiscal policy, currency options referencing European Union law and central banking debates like those involving the European Central Bank and Bank of England. Regulatory and transparency advocates have raised questions referenced against standards set by the Electoral Commission, Information Commissioner's Office, and charity-related rules under Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Category:Politics of Scotland Category:Organisations based in Edinburgh