Jamie Livingston: Uncertainty risks reversing the brain drain

Published on 23/02/2013 00:00

SCOTLAND’S adventurous young people have always been ready to explore opportunities south of the Border and further afield. It is a long-held truism that the country’s most sought-after export is its people.

But it is also true that, once many Scots have enjoyed the fruits of a career in, for instance, London, and they start to consider the implications of beginning a family life, their thoughts turn once again to Scotland.

There are many reasons for this – quality of life, excellent schooling opportunities and more affordable housing – as well some certainty that they will be bringing their children up in a politically and socially stable country. But, at the moment, this certainty is being eroded by the increasingly loud and detailed debate about the prospect of independence following next year’s referendum and how the commercial and organisational landscape might change.

This is of concern, because what business hates most is uncertainty – and that applies to those who make the wheels of business turn.

As executive search consultants, one rich source of talent when recruiting people for Scottish companies or organisations has consistently been the adventurous 30-somethings who have made their mark in the wider world and now wish to return to Scotland. In effect, it has been a counterweight to the long-established brain drain.

But recently that avenue has been increasingly closed to us, as candidates in this category make the decision to sit tight in their existing positions sighting a desire to wait and see what happens at the referendum before committing to coming home.

While this decision (or lack of one) is understandable, it is also unfortunate – because, while they hedge their bets, Scotland is being denied the services of talented, entrepreneurial and innovative people of proven worth in a global marketplace.

There has been much talk in recent months about the pressing need to lay all the relevant information before the electorate in advance of the referendum. Giving potential returners the facts to make a decision is another reason for doing so.

• Jamie Livingston is managing director of Livingston James, executive search consultants