EDINBURGH independent retailer Andrew McRae has been unveiled as the new policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland, succeeding the long-serving Andy Willox.
Mr Willox, who was described yesterday by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as a “tireless champion of local business”, is stepping down from his role at the FSB after 16 years.
Mr McRae and his wife, Alice, employ 20 people in their Museum Context shops in Edinburgh and a further 10 people in Hong Kong, the FSB noted.
Their Victoria Street shop in Edinburgh celebrates the world of Harry Potter.
Mr McRae said: “It is a great privilege for me to take stewardship of the FSB’s campaign work in Scotland. My intention is to build upon Andy’s impressive record. His passion for local firms is legendary. Scotland’s small and growing businesses can help drive economic dynamism across the length and breadth of Scotland. I’m looking forward to making the case for Scotland to be the best place in the world to start, run and grow a small business.”
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The FSB noted that the Aberdeen-based Goldstar Cleaning business, founded by Mr Willox, employs around 160 people. It said Mr Willox would continue to help his son, Scott, and daughter-in-law, Rachel, in the business. The FSB added that Mr Willox was looking forward to spending more time with his family.
Ms Sturgeon said of Mr Willox: “I commend his work with the FSB over the past 16 years to put smaller businesses at the heart of economic and political debate in Scotland and wish him well for the future.”
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She added: “Scotland’s small companies are critical to the nation’s economic success, as well as fulfilling an important role in the social fabric of local communities, and the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the FSB.”
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