City promotion is the business

Feb 20 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

THE cream of Stirling’s successful local business people are to be ambassadors for the area and its economy.

Stirling Council invited business leaders from all over the Stirling area to discuss the future growth and development of the local economy and to become ambassadors for Stirling.

Provost Fergus Wood hosted the evening at the Prudential and was joined by 13 members of the local business community along with the council’s chief executive Keith Yates and economic development staff.

The provost said: “This initiative is especially relevant in these challenging times. We were looking to identify a small but diverse group of dynamic local business people from across a variety of sectors that will act as business ambassadors for the area. Stirling has a lot to offer and the ambassadors can help us spread the word that Stirling means business.”

The ambassadors will meet and advise people and companies interested in locating or investing in the Stirling area, raise the profile of Stirling and promote both the city and the district as a great place to live, work and invest.

In addition, Stirling Council plans to produce a high quality brochure for marketing purposes. This will profile each of the ambassadors in their own business environment, giving them the opportunity to endorse Stirling as a business location from their own particular perspective.

Chief executive Keith Yates said: “At a time when the talk is of recession, it was inspirational to hear of the many successful developments taking place in and around Stirling by our companies. We must build on their confidence by telling the positive stories of investment.

“They will help Stirling emerge as a smarter, greener location to do business.”

Those present included Andy McLinden (ROK), Iona Crawford (fashion designer), Neil McLean (United Auctions), Steven McLeod (Aurora Hotels), Gregory Campbell (CA Models), Keith Ewing (Outside Now), Peter Stewart (Tradstocks), Robert Graham (Graham’s Dairies), Robbie Galloway (Scotbeef), Kevin Burke (Norbord), Tony Moulsdale (MAC Electrical), Sue Bowman (Ogilvie) and Carol Hamilton (Capita).