After 21 remarkable years of leading the Scotland’s largest business network, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Dr Liz Cameron CBE, has announced she will step down as Chief Executive marking the end of an extraordinary chapter.
Widley recognised as one of Scotland’s most influential voices for Business, Liz has steered SCC through some of the most defining moments including the establishment of Scotland’s devolved Parliament, numerous Parliamentary elections, Brexit and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, her leadership has been marked by integrity, passion and an unwavering commitment to championing the needs of Scottish businesses.
Her devotion and professionalism has helped forge strong relationships with First Ministers and Prime Ministers to ensure the current and future needs of Scottish business were at the heart of government policymaking. Under her guidance, the SCC Network has grown in stature both at home and abroad, becoming a driving force in shaping national economic policy, trade strategy, business trade and innovation.
Dr Cameron’s future focussed and solutions-driven work with stakeholders has opened avenues for Scottish business across both the public and private sector as well as on the global stage. Her advocacy for international trade and investment has helped position Scotland as a dynamic and outward-looking economy, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
She has championed overseas trade, advocated business priorities at both Holyrood and Westminster, and firmly embedded Chambers as critical partners in shaping national economic policy, trade strategy, investment, innovation and business growth.
Her outstanding legacy was hailed by SCC President Rodney Ayre. He said: “Liz has led with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to shaping and strengthening the Scottish business environment. Under her direction, SCC has grown in both influence and impact, launching innovative business support programmes, expanding business alliances and promoting the high-quality of Scotland’s businesses both at home and abroad.
“From the outset, Liz set up SCC Ltd as a separate business enabling the commercialisation of services to support Scotland’s business community.
“Her unique ability to bring together diverse stakeholders and advocate effectively on behalf of business, whilst navigating complex challenges, including pivotal moments such as Brexit, the pandemic and the uncertain economic instability worldwide, demonstrate Liz’s outstanding leadership and resilience.
“She has been an integral part of Scotland’s business success story over
he last two decades and, in the months ahead, Liz and the SCC team will continue to champion Scottish business and ensure our politicians are fully aware of the growing pressures we face and the business environment we need to create jobs and grow the economy.”
Leading Dundee businessman and entrepreneur, Tim Allan CBE, said, “It is hard to exaggerate the impact that Liz Cameron has had on the Scottish Business community and its relationship with policy makers over the last 21 years.
“She is a towering figure, a dynamo of positivity and energy, always tempered by a deeply pragmatic approach to engagement with politicians. She has an unparalleled connection with Scottish businesses across sectors, while also being able to calmly walk on to the international scene with so many successful trade ventures abroad promoting Scotland and our wonderful business community.
“Liz has been a great friend to Dundee and Angus in her tenure, a canny judge in the Courier Business Awards, and I am so grateful to her for all her support while I was chair of Scottish Chambers of Commerce.”
Reflecting on her tenure, Dr Cameron CBE said: “I’ve loved being part of an organisation that believes in the power of business to transform lives and communities.
“Promoting and selling our brilliant businesses, here and on the international stage has been a privilege and I have been so fortunate to be surrounded over the years by dynamic boards and talented management teams, supported by a vibrant chamber network fully committed to supporting growth, innovation and investment.
“SCC is a powerful voice for business, future-ready for the challenges ahead, and I’m honoured to have built that strong foundation.
“We would not have been as successful without proactive partnerships and I’m particularly proud to have brought together the private and public sectors to positively impact business and the economy.
“And, of course, it has been both entertaining, if a tad tricky at times, diplomatically working with political parties to help them understand what business needs.
“After 21 years, I’m stepping into new opportunities, building on past successes by supporting businesses with passion, insight, and a global, cross-sector perspective to drive positive impact.”
We reflect on her legacy with deep gratitude, one built on vision, resilience and a belief of business to drive positive change. Liz will leave behind her a stronger, more connected business community and a network that will continue to thrive thanks to the foundations laid.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network thank Liz, for your leadership, your voice and your unwavering dedication to Scotland’s business sector.
Parliament Motions:
Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Neil Bibby, Miles Briggs, Jackson Carlaw, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Annabelle Ewing, Fergus Ewing, Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Douglas Lumsden, Fulton MacGregor, Liam McArthur, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Douglas Ross, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Annie Wells, Tess White, Martin Whitfield, Brian Whittle
“That the Parliament congratulates Dr Liz Cameron CBE on two decades of leadership at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC); notes that Liz has announced she will be standing down as the chief executive officer after 21 years’ leadership of Scotland’s largest business network; further notes that Liz set up SCC Ltd as a separate business enabling the commercialisation of services to support Scotland’s business community; believes that she has been an integral part of Scotland’s business success story over the last two decades, and wishes Liz all the best for the future.”
Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Sarah Boyack, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Foysol Choudhury, Tim Eagle, Murdo Fraser, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
“That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the outstanding contribution of Dr Liz Cameron CBE as chief executive of Scotland’s largest business network, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce; commends Dr Cameron for her two decades of leadership of the Chambers, from the inception of the Parliament to Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic; appreciates what it sees as her commitment and effectiveness in promoting the interests of Scottish businesses in the Scottish and UK parliaments, and wishes her well in her future endeavours.”
Here is a flavour of her career highlights & achievements:
Women in Business: For decades, Dr Cameron has mentored start-up businesses and women in business. The current SCC board has an equal split of male and female directors and Dr Cameron recently led an all-woman trade delegation to Barcelona.
Business Mentoring: Her pioneering work in mentoring has ensured diversity, resilience, and innovation are a core part of Scotland’s business DNA. As founder of the successful Scottish Business Mentoring initiative which has supported thousands of businesses, created hundreds of new jobs and contributed £29 million to Scotland’s GVA.
Graduate Employment: Liz has spearheaded employment initiatives including: Graduate Recruitment Programmes which created 400 new full-time jobs in 4 months; partnerships to tackle youth unemployment; research projects to improve employability of people with additional support needs; and working with Scottish Chambers Network to aid the recruitment and retention of veterans.
Business Leadership: She currently serves on numerous UK and Scottish government advisory boards providing strategic guidance on business, international trade, enterprise and skills. Dr Cameron is also a GlobalScot ambassador and most recently served as Vice Chair of Inverclyde Leisure Trust.
International:
1. Global Partnerships: Established international trade partnerships in global markets including China, India, USA & Europe, including the opening of Scottish Business Trade Offices in China, Mongolia, USA and Europe.
2. Economic Impact: Within last 5 years, economic outputs include new sales of £100 million for participating businesses and projected 1,800 new jobs created.
3. Country Agreements: 90 international B2B Agreements signed between Scottish Chambers of Commerce and 40 global Chambers network to support business relationships, exporting and investment opportunities.
4. Global Reach: 100 trade missions delivered in last 5 years in 50 markets, onboarding 1000 new potential Scottish exporters..
