Ann joined a delegation to Holyrood as a guest of the Chamber, where she attended an Economy Committee event focused on the views of SMEs.
FOR those who don’t know me I am the co-owner of Blaze Manufacturing Solutions, and have an opinion on everything!
Blaze has been in business for 10 years and grown from the summerhouse in our garden to our own premises in Laurencekirk.
We have had exponential growth as a supplier in the energy sector over the years but right now it will come as no surprise to hear that we are in challenging times, not just as a company but also as a “commuter town” in the Shire.
I get as exasperated as everyone else when I believe our voice is not being heard in the “right places” with decision makers.
Therefore, when the Chamber asked me as a member to take part in the SME Economy Committee Breakfast in Holyrood I jumped at the chance.
The Economy Committee, comprised of 11 MSPs, had invited key representatives from the SME world such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Women’s Enterprise Scotland, Scotland Food and Drink, Entrepreneurial Scotland, along with myself and James Bream from the Chamber.
Whilst Holyrood is there to make decisions based on economic data and policy guidance, there was a gaping hole in their access to real-life examples of how their decisions affect SMEs.
On business rates, I gave the example of a local business improving its premises then being rewarded with a hefty increase in its rates valuation.
I was told that the problem with business rates was it was a one-size-fits-all approach.
Namely, Amazon paid more in non-domestic rates than in corporation tax – how enlightening!
But is it fair that we all suffer for the chase of one company?
An MSP in the Ellon area highlighted how growth in rural areas was limited by inadequate access to services, like water supply.
My suggestion was that, if the committee could take away just one lesson from the day, it should be to apply pressure on BT to invest in the communications network.
In the oil and gas arena, opportunities have come to a near standstill due to the downturn and I explained that Blaze found itself having to diversify into other sectors and retrain staff.
There seemed to be genuine concern amongst the MSPs and they asked how they as a body could help.
I explained they were already helping in the form of Scottish Enterprise, whose High Growth Fund we are very fortunate to be on.
My one ask was that they look at stimulating the market by favourable taxation rates for the operators.
The North-east’s supply chain is the best in class, if there is work we can do what we do best. We just need a market to operate in.
On the whole I thoroughly enjoyed my participation in Holyrood, as I was able to add the voice of an SME in the energy sector while also representing small companies in Aberdeenshire.
Maybe I missed my way all those years ago and I should have gone into politics - who knows where I’d be now!