Global Financial Services Week 2008
May 4, 2008
article by Owen Kelly, Scottish Financial Enterprise CEO, ahead of Global Financial Services Week
May, 2008, Scotsman supplement
‘Global Financial Services Week is more than timely; it comes at a time of unprecedented interest in global financial markets and services.
‘It gives us in Scotland the opportunity to hear from some of the world's most respected international experts, many of whom will take part in the conference at the EICC that is the centrepiece of the week, on Thursday 29 May. Discussions at that event, and throughout the week, will start from a global, international perspective. We will hear how established Scottish-based businesses are operating internationally, with discussion focused on the benefits and challenges of working around the globe.
We will also examine opportunities for UK companies in what are known, perhaps increasingly anachronistically, as ‘emerging' markets; in Russia, China, India and elsewhere.
‘But just as importantly, we will hear from international companies who have in recent years decided to choose Scotland as a location for some of their operations. What part did the skills of our workforce have to play, and how can we ensure that we develop that talent base to attract future generations of investment? And how do we show young Scots that career opportunities in the industry have changed dramatically in recent years - offering a wide range of career paths, at home and abroad, in a range of disciplines?
‘The importance of financial services to Scotland's and the UK's economy is acknowledged by the commitment given to Global Financial Services Week by both the Scottish Government and the Treasury. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, and the Scottish Cabinet Secretaries for Finance and Education and are all speaking at events during the week.
‘The range of bodies participating, and the geographic spread of the week's events, are measures of how embedded the financial services industry is in Scottish public life. Schools, universities, professional bodies, policy thinkers and local councils are all involved. This is, in turn, reflected back to us in international perceptions of Scotland as a place characterised by a rigorous approach to business; high professional standards (Scottish-trained accountants, lawyers, bankers and actuaries are rightly respected across the world); and a rational and realistic approach to investment.
