On the 1st of September 2025, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, was honured to be hosted by First Minister John Swinney MSP for the third consecutive year at our annual Scottish Business Reception at Edinburgh Castle.
In partnership with Lumo, this year’s event welcomed over 100 distinguished guests including Chamber representatives, politicians and business leaders. The evening celebrated the strength and diversity of Scottish entrepreneurship and innovation while highlighting the vital role of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network in driving economic growth.
We were delighted to once again be joined by the First Minister, who opened the evening sharing the Scottish Government’s ambitions for economic development. Guests also heard from SCC President Rodney Ayre and our valued partner Lumo, Steve Montgomery, Managing Director of FirstRail, who spoke about Lumo’s exciting progress in expanding services linking Scotland with the rest of the UK.
A key message of the night was SCC’s call for the UK government to place investment and innovation at the heart of the upcoming UK Autumn budget. A sentiment echoed throughout the night by our members and partners.
Speaking to the audience in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle President Rodney Ayre said: “As we approach the UK Autumn Budget, our call is clear: invest in growth, back innovation, support the transition to net zero.
“That means skills, infrastructure, and a tax environment that encourages entrepreneurship. Because the Budget doesn’t just set numbers, it shapes business confidence, and that confidence ripples across boardrooms, shop floors, and communities.
“This is why partnership between the Scottish and UK Governments matters. It is not abstract, it’s about the choices that give businesses clarity, stability, and room to grow.
The Scottish Chamber Network will remain at the forefront: advocating for fairer tax, championing investment in future skills, and pushing for infrastructure that unlocks regional growth.”
The message was delivered at a joint event with the Scottish Government where First Minister John Swinney echoed the plea for a focus on business investment.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Growing the economy is right at the heart of my ambitions for Scotland. Backing business and innovation, attracting investors, and supporting people into employment helps to build a better future for everyone.
“It’s great that Scotland has cemented its place as the top inward investment destination in the UK outside of London for the tenth year in a row and I join the Scottish Chambers of Commerce in calling for business and investment to be placed at the core of the UK Autumn budget.
“The UK Government must take action, including reversing its damaging decision to increase employers’ national insurance contributions, which the Scottish Chambers of Commerce has highlighted as having significant impact on business confidence.”
Chief Executive of the SCC, Dr Liz Cameron CBE said: “Scotland’s economy can only grow if we have business policies which enable and support our ambitions and the large-scale investments they are making across all of Scotland. We will be expecting positive measures from the Autumn budget which will reduce unnecessary cost burdens and unmanageable regulations to enable us to thrive domestically and internationally. Our political leaders need to deliver for the business community that create much needed wealth and jobs.
“We recognise the current difficult fiscal conditions and have offered to share with both Westminster and Holyrood governments our collective expertise and experience. Solutions can always be found and great leaders manage risk and take tough decisions.
“Collaboration and partnerships have proven successful in boosting our global trade ambitions, but it is equally as important at home and having policymakers listening and acting on our guidance helps underpin vital business confidence.”
For partnership opportunities contact Cameron McKendrick, Marketing & Events Executive (cmckendrick@scottishchambers.org.uk)
