31 May 2022

Principal Audrey Cumberford appointed to new board to deliver economic growth in Scotland

 

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford MBE FRSE has been appointed to a new board which has been brought together by the Scottish Government to help deliver economic growth in Scotland.

Audrey joins experts from business, academia, third sector and unions to form the new delivery board promised in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

Economy secretary Kate Forbes will co-chair the group, alongside Barry White, who has held senior leadership roles in the private and public sectors including as a former Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust.

The board will work to implement the strategy, published in March, which identifies five key priority programmes as having the “greatest potential” to deliver economic growth.

These are stimulating entrepreneurship, developing the modern skills needed for the decade ahead, opening new markets, increasing productivity, and ensuring “fairer and more equal” economic opportunities.

The board replaces the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board, with an enhanced remit to hold all partners to account for delivery of the commitments in the National Strategy.

“When I launched the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, I promised an enhanced and ruthless focus on delivery. The Delivery Board ensures greater accountability, more streamlined activity and a renewed drive to delivery Scotland’s economic ambitions as we recover from the pandemic, and secure a just transition to a net zero economy. “This is a board of experienced leaders, appointed because of their professional experience in delivering results across the public, private and third sectors. They will bring their vast knowledge, credibility and connections across the business community and expertise in delivering major initiatives to help shape the vital changes required to help transform our economy. “I look forward to working alongside all board members and delivery partners to make the Scottish economy more prosperous, more productive and more internationally competitive by 2032.”
Kate Forbes MSP
“I’m excited to be a part of this newly formed board which looks to help drive Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic and also to push the country towards a net zero future. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow members and the business and education communities across Scotland to develop new opportunities to aid our economic performance and help Scotland grow and prosper for the future.”
Edinburgh College Principal, Audrey Cumberford MBE FRSE

Board Members

Ewan Aitken

Chief Executive of Cyrenians

Audrey Cumberford

Principal and CEO at Edinburgh College

Colette Cohen

Chief Executive of the Net Zero Technology Centre

Gillian Docherty

Chief Commercial Officer at University of Strathclyde

Roz Foyer

General Secretary of Scottish Trade Union Congress

Uzma Khan

Vice Principal Economic Development and Innovation, and Deputy Chief Operating Officer of University of Glasgow

Sir Simon Lister

Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships

Jamie McGowan

Managing Director of Essence of Harris

Douglas Millican

Chief Executive of Scottish Water

Nora Senior

Executive Chair UK Regions/Ireland of Weber Shandwick

Ellis Watson

Chair of DC Thomson