Future bright if firms rise to challenge

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, chief executive of Virgin Money (Letters, 9 September) is clearly proud of her company and the Virgin brand, yet if Richard Branson had been persuaded by arguments based on “proven safety and security” Virgin Atlantic, as well as other Virgin entities, would not have been launched in the face of daunting competition from large and long-established companies dominant in the market such as British Airways.

While one can fully ­understand genuine concerns about the future, the ­questions Ms Gadhia poses will essentially remain even if we were to follow her ­advice and vote No.

Most entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses use the initial relatively small size of their companies to competitive advantage by seeking to be more responsive to current client requirements and changes in market ­conditions.

With the present constitutional arrangements, ­Scotland is prevented from optimal economic flexibility because of the wider interests of the UK driven from London. Of course, there are large organisations that are nervous of change because it will be difficult to adapt as rapidly as their smaller competitors, but companies with competent and confident management will rise to the particular challenges faced by their businesses.

This does not mean that, free of Westminster ­restraints, Scotland will easily surmount every obstacle that lies in the path of progressing aims of fairness and prosperity in our society. But if she has belief in herself and her fellow citizens, to the same extent Richard ­Branson apparently has in himself and his employees, then Ms Gadhia should not doubt that working together in an independent Scotland we can realise a more ambitious vision for future generations.

Stan Grodynski

Longniddry

East Lothian