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www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
JIM McHARG Glasgow Chamber’s President reflects on a rewarding yet hectic spell in his first year in office
What have been the most enjoyable moments of your first year in office? I have enjoyed every minute of my first year as President. At the Chamber annual meeting last year, I spoke about being excited and honoured to be serving as President of a Chamber that is so influential in the city where I was born, raised, educated and spent all of my working life. It has not disappointed. There have been many highlights and perhaps the biggest was the 21st year of The Glasgow Business Awards in October. It was great to see the diversity of businesses and talent being recognised for their determination, hard work and success that they collectively make to the economy of Glasgow.
What has delighted you about your position as Chamber President? I have been delighted with the Chamber team and the progress that has been made in 2018 under Stuart Patrick’s leadership. The team are so committed to Glasgow and work tirelessly to make Glasgow a better place to do business - whether that be through influencing policy, building relationships with overseas Chambers or developing the skills of our people. The Chamber has developed an ambitious and sustainable business plan and in 2019 I look forward to supporting the delivery of this for our members.
technology companies. The diversity of our enterprise is to be applauded, however more needs to be done to maximise our potential for organic business growth and future inward investment. I look forward to being part of the work in 2019 that will develop and tell the Glasgow business story better with the intention that it will improve our business brand.
What are your goals for businesses in the Glasgow region and for the Chamber? We want to grow our membership so that more businesses can benefit from all that the Chamber has to offer. Our goal is that our members are as diverse as our city; representing all sizes, ages, sectors and communities. To this end, we have made the necessary investments in the team needed to deliver this growth and I Iook forward to continued progress in this area throughout 2019.
...more needs to be done
What have been the most saddening moments? Unfortunately, 2018 will be remembered as the year the city lost ‘The Mack’ to a devastating fire that totally destroyed this iconic home of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This definitely tested the resolve of our city, but I am pleased that in true Glasgow fashion, we have a plan that, coupled with the transformation of the area, will see Sauchiehall Street revitalised to become a place that Glasgow citizens and visitors can enjoy.
How has your view on the enterprising culture of Glasgow changed? Glasgow has always been a city of enterprise and as times have changed over the years, so too has Glasgow’s focus. In recent times we have successfully hosted several major sporting events and today we look forward to the creation of three innovation districts in the city that will act as catalysts for the creation of a new generation of home-grown
to maximise our potential for organic business growth and future inward investment”
If there was one thing you could change for your second year of office, what would that be? 2018 has been a year of unprecedented uncertainty for many businesses and for a number of reasons, the most concerning being the potential impact of Brexit. If I could change one thing in 2019 during my second term as President, it would be for a clear direction of travel regarding Brexit so that businesses can start to plan for the future – whatever that may look like.
How easy or difficult has it been managing your time and fitting in a full-time job? It has been fine as I have always
been quite good at managing multiple demands on my time. For me it is about work/life integration; not so much work/life balance. Recognising what is important, getting involved where needed and taking the time to reflect on the impact and value you are adding keep me on track – both professionally and in my personal life.
Who have been your key supporters over the year? During the year, I have received great support and encouragement from the board of management, council directors, Stuart and his team, various Presidents who have served before me and my family. Getting advice and counsel is important in any role as it brings different perspectives to opportunities and challenges that we face, so I look forward to more support and engagement as we work together as a team for the greater good of the city.
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