22 . Glasgow Business October 2015
GLASGOW BUSINESS BIG INTERVIEW: Annemarie O’Donnell, Chief Executive, Glasgow City Council
OUR TEAM GLASGOW IS TERRIFIC
Council Chief Exec hails partnership with Chamber A
nnemarie O’Donnell may be a veteran of Glasgow City Council but one thing that surprised her when she took over the Chief
Executive’s role in January was the closeness of the relationship with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. “I was surprised about how well connected
the relationship is with the Chamber,” she said. “Oſten it’s down to personalities and the personalities work really hard. “It is one of the aces in the city’s hand. Te
success of the city relies on us all working together and playing to our strengths,” she said. “If we all agree what we want to achieve – it
helps if you have that single focus – then it’s working out how best we use our collective resources to ensure that we’re always up there chasing whatever we chase. “Tat’s oſten the critical element of this: are
we all on message with what we want to achieve? If we have a shared belief, and a shared ambition, then I think it’s much easier to align the resources behind that.” Ms O’Donnell, a composed figure who
speaks with quiet authority, says that the feedback the Council receives suggests that the relationship is closer than it is in other cities, a situation that is a real advantage for Glasgow. “Tere is no point in us saying ‘come and
invest in the city’ if planning applications can’t get processed, if there’s no proper connectivity through the city, or if we’re not supporting our businesses,” she said. “I think the Chamber has gone from
strength to strength in terms of their role and the relationship we have with the Chamber is now incredibly important. “What we hear from others is that people
like dealing with Glasgow because of the way we’ve structured ourselves. I’m not saying it can’t get beter – there is always room for improvement – but when you come in one door you should be able to access everywhere
you need, rather than us doing what we need to do and signposting you to somewhere else. “I think there’s some evidence to suggest
that businesses have chosen to expand or invest in the city directly through that relationship. If we make it easier for businesses to invest here then they’re more likely to do that.” She pointed to the physical
proximity – the offices of Glasgow Chamber are a few minutes’ walk across George Square from the City Chambers (a closeness in name and geography that occasionally causes visitors confusion). But there are other cities where offices have been close but relations have been much more distant. She said: “Te
relationship is maturing, it’s developing, but what is vitally important is that we have an open and honest dialogue. “I meet Stuart
[Patrick, Chamber Chief Executive] on a regular basis. If there are issues to be addressed then they are on the table. Te Chamber meets with the Leader on a regular basis so they have had direct access to Gordon Matheson and now to Frank McAveety.” She pointed to the
Strategic Partnership between the Council and Glasgow Chamber. “We understand that, as a City Council, we are not always
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60