Leon Thompson, Executive Director, UKHospitality Scotland
Following a whirlwind few weeks in Scotland, particularly in the political arena, there was plenty to update on when we held an exclusive event for members at the New Club in Edinburgh.
Leon Thompson, our Executive Director in Scotland, shares some insight into his work in the past month.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a few weeks here in Scotland, with the changes in leadership of the Scottish Government and lots of new and familiar faces appointed to the Cabinet and Ministerial team.
The mood music has also changed. At the start of the year, it felt like an uphill struggle to get any action on the issues impacting our sector, created by policy and regulations.
Now we have a government saying it is committed to resetting the relationship with business. The First Minister has already delivered on two key asks that we called: a delay on the Deposit Return Scheme and a review of the alcohol marketing and promotions consultation. Whilst these issues haven’t gone away, it does feel like we have a better opportunity to shape future policy and to improve, or at least resolve, some of the challenging elements of DRS.
In the last seven days I’ve joined a meeting with the First Minister to discuss DRS and participated in two roundtable sessions with Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Small Business, Trade and Innovation. The work continues to push for delivery on the things that matter to our businesses.
It’s of vital importance to keep working with politicians from across the chamber. This week that has included a business breakfast meeting with Douglas Ross MSP, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and his colleagues leading on business and the economy. A meeting with Scottish Labour to discuss skills has just gone into the diary.
Members join us for a networking event in Edinburgh
Interest in our sector and its ability to transform communities continues to grow. On Monday, our media dinner at The Bonham in Edinburgh brought members together with some of Scotland’s leading business and political journalists: Douglas Fraser (BBC), Michael Glackin (The Sunday Times), Lukanyo Mnyanda (Financial Times), Jessica North (Scottish Express) and Tom Eden (Scottish Daily Mail) for discussion about the sector.
I’m about one week from my two-year anniversary at UKHospitality Scotland, and it’s been quite a time. Being able to represent our fabulous member businesses and dynamic sector really is a great privilege. I’ve met so many great and inspiring owners and visited outstanding venues in beautiful locations. It was therefore terrific to meet up with members and partners at our networking event at member venue The New Club in Edinburgh this week. Great conversation and lots of new ideas sparked. What a job!