The troubles facing Scotland’s crucial food and drink sector are very much laid out on the table in our latest edition of Business HQ Monthly.
Scott Wright takes a deep dive into what is one of Scotland’s most celebrated and economically important industries, which generates annual exports of more than £6 billion and employs around 120,000 people across the nation.
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He finds that, while Scotland’s finest food and drink is known the world over, savoured in high-end restaurants and found in shops and markets around the world, the sector faces considerable headwinds on the home and international fronts, including high costs, labour shortages, climate change . . . and, of course, an enduring Brexit hangover.
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Scotland’s food and drink sector is packed with household names.
I interview the head of a company in the sector with major ambitions to build on its impressive growth in recent times: David Equi of ice-cream producer Equi’s, who has a fascinating story to tell, spanning generations of his family.
READ MORE: ‘Mad’ North Sea tax hike plan will cost UK billions warns oil industry big gun
Staying in the food and drink sector, I interview Alan Mahon of Brewgooder. It is an inspiring tale.
Incidentally, Mr Mahon has good taste when it comes to other people’s stories, naming The Fall by Albert Camus as the best book he has read.
READ MORE: 'Brexit has resulted in £100m a year in lost sales'
Elsewhere in this edition, Kristy Dorsey writes about how the continuing rise of artificial intelligence will soon see the deployment of data centres into outer space, where they can be powered by endless solar energy without further contributing to Earth’s global warming.
She speaks to Scottish businessman Will Whitehorn, a former president of Virgin Galactic, ahead of next week’s SpaceComm Expo in Glasgow. An estimated 3,000 delegates from around the world will gather at the event, which is being chaired by Mr Whitehorn.
Meanwhile, Mark Williamson speaks to Serica chief executive Chris Cox, who warns of the risks of Labour’s North Sea tax hike plans.
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Mark McDougall writes on “side hustles" and the cost of living.
The University of Strathclyde’s highly regarded Fraser of Allander Institute offers its expert insights into the Scottish economy, focusing on fiscal challenges north of the Border.
Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, offers his perspectives on the current state of play in the sector after a hectic summer season.
Ailsa Sheldon finds out about acclaimed designer Timorous Beasties’ expansion plans following the opening of its Edinburgh studio.
Meanwhile, Scott Wright looks at those who have had a good month, and those who have not.
The Herald’s business writers share their expert perspectives on key business and economic developments as they reflect on what they have been writing about during the past month. It certainly has been another busy one.
Meanwhile, entrepreneurs Dr Antoinette Fionda-Douglas (fashion) and Ian Ritchie (tech) offer their personal insights in their regular columns.
I hope you have had a good summer and enjoy our latest edition.
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