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Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce

Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Stuart Patrick, speaks to SPT Express about the recession, GARL, Glasgow’s Subway and the Commonwealth Games

1) You were appointed Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce earlier this year. How would you describe your first few months in the role?

I’m in month five so it is still pretty early on. I can say though that I’m delighted to be able to concentrate on Glasgow, its long term economic strategy and the role the Chamber can play in delivering on our aims for the city and for our members.

Of course the current economic conditions make that a good bit more tricky but Glasgow is proving much more resilient than we might have feared and having the Commonwealth Games to aim for boosts the city’s confidence.

2) Obviously the global recession has had a significant effect on business. What do you see as the main challenges in the coming year?

For business across the city, it’s about working hard to search out demand until markets begin to grow more quickly again. Our members also tell us that they are finding it much more difficult to find the finance they need on affordable terms and they welcome initiatives like the delayed payment terms for VAT and PAYE to help cash flow.

Of course the pressure on public spending that is on its way is also important as we will have to continue arguing for investment in the infrastructure that helps make Glasgow and the West of Scotland internationally competitive against a backdrop of limited finances.

3) A recent talking point has been the stance of Scottish business - including GCC - over the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link. Why do you believe the project should be reinstated?

For three reasons: We should not repeat the mistakes we made for decades in under investing in our transport connections compared to our competitors. GARL is one important part of a long term vision for rail transport that will link one of our most important international airports with a coherent regional and national rail network.

We believe that GARL is affordable if more priority is given to the country’s capital budget and savings found elsewhere in the much larger revenue budget.

And we feel that the international commitment we made to GARL as part of our legacy from the Commonwealth Games should be honoured.

4) Despite the current economic climate, how important is it to invest in transport infrastructure, particularly for the Commonwealth Games?

Transport has commonly been a poor relation in national budgets for decades and for Scotland that is especially concerning given that we are regularly perceived as difficult to get to. We need to be much more ambitious in our thinking about how we match our competitors. Major events like the Commonwealth Games are almost always used to speed up the delivery of ambitious plans whether it’s the reintroduction of trams in Manchester, the delivery of high speed rail in Barcelona or the extension of the Underground and the delivery of Crossrail in London.

That happens because it puts an international spotlight on a city and asks lots of questions about the adequacy of the transport links that it has.

5) The Glasgow Subway is an integral part of the city’s transport infrastructure, but was last upgraded 30 years ago. SPT is trying to develop big plans to modernise the system. What’s your view on that?

I guess I’d ask what we would think as a city if we had to close the Subway because we didn’t invest in its upkeep. We might all wish that the Subway had a greater reach around the city but I think few would argue that we would be better off if we didn’t have it at all and so I think continued modernisation is an essential part of our long term transport investment plans.

6) What would you say has been your greatest achievement/highlight of 2009?

Securing the role I now have at the Chamber of course. One additional highlight though would be the role I was asked to play with the OECD in reviewing the progress London is making in securing a lasting legacy in the East End from the Olympics in 2012. There’s a lot to be learned from the London experience so far.

7) What would you say has been your favourite book and film this year?

On the book it’s a toss up between Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Ross Sorkin’s Too Big to Fail. Both are detailed accounts of the motivations, decisions and interactions of the rich and powerful at points in history of serious stress. One might almost feel persuaded at the end of each that wealth and power have severe limitations!

And on the film, that’s easy - Star Trek - the early days.

8) What are you hoping for from Santa?

A few days of peace and quiet and a guide to apps on my shiny new iphone.

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