Businesses join forces for Capital

LEADING lights in business will come together to celebrate the city’s “crucible of commerce” for the inaugural Edinburgh Business Day.

Mike Crockart at Premier Hytemp in Newbridge. Picture: comp

Organised by Edinburgh West MP Mike Crockart, the event on October 2 has been supported by a range of firms including Google, Nairn’s and RBS.

Business Secretary Vince Cable will deliver a keynote speech alongside Finance Secretary John Swinney MSP.

The idea came to Mr Crockart after the establishment of the Edinburgh West Business Forum last year, which meets quarterly to discuss how to help enterprise in the Capital.

The Liberal Democrat MP, who is a member of Westminster’s Select Committee on business innovation and skills, said: “Edinburgh is a fantastic place to do business, ranked as the top ‘mid-sized city’ in the fDi Intelligence Magazine’s European Cities and Regions of the Future 2014-15.

“As Scotland’s capital city, we have a proud history as a business hub – grain milling in the Dean Village, trade at the port of Leith, the outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments of the Scottish Enlightenment.

“This crucible of commerce is one which we still enjoy in Edinburgh today.”

Mr Crockart added: “But there is always more work to do. Edinburgh Business Day is a celebration of commerce in the Capital, but it is also an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing us today and those still to come.”

Businesses of all sizes can listen to a range of seminars including a session on exporting from the Craigmillar-based firm Nairn’s, and another on digital development by technology giant Google.

There will be break-out sessions on diverse areas such as crowdfunding, and making the most of apprenticeships by city-led Edinburgh Guarantee and Edinburgh 
College.

The event will be held at the RBS Conference Centre, in Gogarburn, starting at 1.30pm, culminating in a drinks reception sponsored by brewer Heineken.

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