Co-operating to produce a better future for Scotland

Sarah Deas, chief executive, Co-operative Development Scotland

1 How confident are you about the year ahead?

We're confident that there's growing interest across Scotland in co-operative business models, including consortium co-operatives and employee-ownership. We've seen a 350 per cent jump in enquiries at Co-operative Development Scotland during the last two years.

2 Do you think the economy is out of the woods?

It's hard to tell. On the one hand, there are obvious concerns about the impact of public-sector cuts and inflation is stubbornly above target. On the other hand, the stock market is rising and there is growing confidence among some of our business clients. My hope is that, although next year may be tough, we will see stable growth returning by the end of 2011.

3 What challenges will 2011 hold for your business?

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One of our key challenges will be to continue persuading more lawyers, accountants, bankers and other business advisers that employee-ownership and consortium co-operatives are very effective business models.

4 What would help you overcome those challenges?

Spreading the word about the positive benefits of co-operative and employee-owned business models would really help.

5 Was 2010 better or worse than you expected?

It significantly exceeded our expectations. During the last six months alone, CDS helped establish 15 new co-operative businesses - a record since the agency was set up.

6 If you could introduce or change one government policy to help your business, what would it be?

Government support for co-operative and collaborative ways of doing business is actually increasing across the UK and Scotland.

7 Where would you like your business to be by the end of 2011?

We'd like to build on our success of the last year and help establish many more co-operative and employee-owned businesses. The performance benefits of shared ownership will help to grow Scotland's economy.

8 What's the one item or gadget you're going to buy in 2011?

A new kayak!

9 What's your new year's resolution?

Get my family to join me in climbing at least one munro.

10 Will Andy Murray win Wimbledon?

Hopefully.

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