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Our Chief Executive Jane Morrison-Ross and interim Director of Place & Enterprise Anthony Daye both attended the Economy and Fair Work Committee at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 11 September to discuss budgets, and the current opportunities and challenges we face.

Anthony Daye reflects on the discussions…

One of the key take-aways from today’s Economy and Fair Work Committee is that there are many opportunities for SOSE to shape and influence how we move forward, despite the current challenging environment.

A lot of the questions we received, alongside our partners Highlands & Islands Enterprise and VisitScotland,  was focussed on the impact of the budgetary challenges and what we would need to stop doing.

Yet, our preparations began two years ago when we saw the challenges coming. We have made changes, agreed priorities and importantly decided not to lower our ambitions.

In short – we have not stopped. 

We have also strengthened and increased our partnerships to help us deliver more collectively than we could on our own.

Committee questions

Members of the committee – made up of a cross-section of MSPs – asked about securing inward investment and private investment and what we are seeing in the South.

We were able to report that we are seeing multiple, real–live instances of organisations wanting to come to and invest in the our fantastic region. 

There is real awareness of the South now, and recognition that that we are now Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone, offering the potential for energy transition, agriculture, sustainable tourism and innovation. 

We are here to help these companies embed themselves within the DNA of the South of Scotland.

Another question posed to us by a committee member was around support for female entrepreneurs.

We were able to outline the great work that has been going on with women, young people and neurodivergent founders – and then to highlight our success in securing the first Pathways pilot to accelerate and extend this work.

Finally, we were asked what we would hope to see as Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) evolves and is refreshed, and if we felt the focus on place was still critical. 

Our answer - a resounding yes. 

Impact of investment

We believe the current climate means it is even more important to show the impact of the investment that SOSE makes, such as the five-fold return on every pound we have invested.

Our latest 2023/24 annual report and accounts highlight the breadth of investments, both financial and in the provision of advice and guidance from our dedicated colleagues. 

More than that, with the focus on wellbeing, the journey to Net Zero and food security, it is the rural economies that offer real, untapped potential for economic and sustainable growth. 

We must invest if we are going to realise the potential for creating a rural economic powerhouse in the South of Scotland.