When I was asked to write this column I enquired as to the thought behind this new business publication.

I was delighted to learn that The Herald wants to ensure business has a stronger voice when it comes to growth strategies that drive enterprise and government policies.

Over the past 300 years Scotland has produced some of the greatest ideas and inventions the world has ever seen. 

The country has punched above its weight with its contribution towards enterprise, from the period of the Enlightenment in the second half of 18th Century until the present day.

Scots also produced original thinking in philosophy, economics and literature and were responsible for ground-breaking discoveries in geology, science and medicine.  

Our engineering prowess over the past two centuries is held in the highest esteem throughout the globe. 

Our financial services sector has grown tremendously over the past few decades, and a huge part of this success is due to the fact that Scots are seen as trustworthy and competent when it comes to safeguarding other people’s money.

The philosophies of Hume and the economies of Smith are as relevant today as they were back then.

The reason I mention the success of the Enlightenment is to make a point about the power of networking and debating.

This group of individuals would meet regularly in taverns and ale houses to discuss their latest thinking and ideas. Within that group there would be academics, poets, architects, lawyers, bankers and budding entrepreneurs.

The conversation must have been fierce and stimulating; the mark Smith, Hume and Burns have left on the world is quite staggering.

Wind forward to the Industrial Revolution and you find the contribution from Scots is off the charts.

I recommend anyone reading this article buys Arthur Herman’s book How The Scots Invented The Modern World, or as it is called here, the Enlightenment.

The Herald: The first turbine in EDF and ESB’s Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm is located off the East Lothian coast

Scotland at this time would have been one of the poorest nations in Europe yet, despite this, a small group of Scots with their intellect, imagination and entrepreneurial drive would leave such a mark on society that it is still talked about today.

The learning we should take from these pioneers is anything is possible. It is time for Enlightenment 2 and Scotland should be right at the front, leading again. So let us use the climate crisis to reposition ourselves as an engineering superpower. For 40 years we dominated the world in shipbuilding. Why can we not do the same with green, clean technology?

Depending on how the next General Election plays out, Scotland could be the base for the new GB Energy company. What a fantastic foundation upon which to build a world-class renewable energy industry.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, the Principal of Strathclyde University, has stated many times Scotland is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of the Green Revolution in renewables. 

We could supply the whole of the country with clean energy and still be able to export 75% of everything we produce. This would transform the country’s finances. We would in no time go from an annual deficit to a substantial profit.

We should lobby the UK Government for a “green tax status” to encourage inward investment.
Billions of pounds would flow in, if this was the case.

This project would spawn a whole new modern industry that would create hundreds of thousands of well paid and sustainable jobs in manufacturing, engineering and scientific research. 

In collaboration with our universities and colleges, we would produce the graduates we require for this industry, and on top of this thousands of meaningful apprenticeships would be created.

This is a unique opportunity and timing is everything. We must seize it. If we get this right, we could guarantee Scotland’s financial stability for generations to come.

Much has been said about how Ireland has transformed its economy over the past 20 years. This success is no doubt due to the fact that its government, working more closely with business, created the environment for this transformation. 

It is now our turn to do the same. Let’s grab this opportunity with both hands. My plea to the Scottish Government is: “Please listen to business and we can deliver this!”.