Business Forum

Since the demise of Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, the Ayrshire Economic Forum and the Ayrshire Tourism Partnership, Ayrshire Business Forum has been involved in several round the table discussions with a cross section of pro-active business people from Ayrshire as they strive to ensure that the business and economic issues of the county are not lost.

The Forum prioritised a number of areas for development to really put Ayrshire on the map, working closely with the Ayrshire Economic Partnership to develop Action Plans for various sectors.

Willie Mackie, Clydesdale Bank plc, Chairman of the Forum said, 'It is heartening to see Ayrshire businesses coming together under the umbrella of the Business Forum. Not only does it show that this is a region that is passionate about business and economic issues, but it is a region that is willing to take ownership of the tasks in hand to help overcome difficulties and move forward to the next level.

Ayrshire Economic Partnership (pdf)                                         Relationship map note (Word doc) 

Branding

A regional Ayrshire & Arran brand development exercise has been commissioned by the following organisations - VisitScotland, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Scottish Enterprise, East Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council. The aim is to, through collaborative discussion within a workshop environment, create a clear and distinctive Brand Platform which distinguishes Ayrshire & Arran area from other regions of Scotland and which will strengthen our business environment, develop pride in our Ayrshire products, attract new businesses and investors, tourists and people who want to live and work in the region. This Brand Platform, including a strong selling proposition, will be used to inform and guide the design identity development for the region.

A regional brand is a highly complex entity - it encompasses many different aspects of a region and a range of audiences. Because the Ayrshire & Arran brand is intended to be relevant to the business community, inward investors, tourism development and people living or thinking of living in the region also, the brand development exercise needs to explore views on each of these four key areas and then, through a process of discussion, simplification and prioritisation, stakeholders can identify the most important elements for the brand. The task is to end up with strong and clear brand platform.

Download Brand Toolkit (pdf download)

Scottish Government's Economic Recovery Plan (pdf download)

Quick Guide to Business Information (pdf download)