Scottish Chambers of Commerce appoints new Chief Executive

The Board of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) has appointed Mr Charandeep Singh BEM as its new Chief Executive.

Following a UK-wide recruitment process led by SCC President Rodney Ayre, Mr Singh was the unanimous choice of the SCC Board to take over from Dr Liz Cameron CBE, who is stepping down after 21 years.
He will officially begin as CEO on 1st February 2026, signalling an exciting new era for the national business network and its 12,000 members.

Key priorities for the new CEO will be amplifying the voice of business during the upcoming Scottish Elections; delivering international trade programmes to the USA and India; and working closely with the Scottish Chambers Network to build a strong policy platform to grow Scotland’s vibrant business community.

Rodney Ayre, President of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Charandeep Singh to the prestigious role of Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

“During the rigorous UK-wide recruitment process, we sought a high-calibre leader with the experience and dynamism to propel Scotland’s business community on the national and global stage.
“We were impressed by Charandeep’s vision, innovative thinking, and strategic ambition to strengthen SCC’s role as the voice of business for our 12,000 members.

“This is a role of national significance; Charandeep brings deep insight, commercial experience, and a proven record of delivery for Scotland’s Chamber Network. His ability to unite the private sector with government and international partners will enable SCC to play an influential role in shaping Scotland’s economic future.

“The Board has complete confidence that Charandeep – as a forward-thinking leader – will champion Scottish business in an increasingly competitive global environment. Together, we will ensure that business priorities are firmly embedded at the heart of decision-making at both Holyrood and Westminster.”

Charandeep Singh BEM, incoming Chief Executive, said:
“I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Executive at a defining moment for Scotland’s business community. My top priority is to work in close partnership with our entire Chamber Network to represent our members and create meaningful economic growth opportunities.

“My ambition is to place Scotland at the forefront of global trade, harness digital transformation, and build a future-ready workforce. By fostering the right environment for start-ups, scale-ups, and established businesses, we can enhance competitiveness and deepen trade connections on the world stage.
“As the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections approach, SCC will offer a clear economic vision to drive innovation and support investment that delivers sustainable, long-term growth across the country. We will engage constructively with governments at all levels to advocate for a competitive business landscape and secure new investment opportunities.

“With our members and partners at the heart of our work, SCC will celebrate enterprise and promote an economy that is resilient, innovative, and open to the world.”

John W.H. Denton AO, Secretary-General, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), added:
“Charandeep’s appointment is a strong signal of Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s commitment to global trade and the vital role chambers play in shaping the international economy.

“His knowledge of the International Chamber of Commerce and its World Chambers Federation network and his understanding of the importance of open, rules-based trade will ensure Scottish businesses remain connected to trading opportunities worldwide.

“We look forward to working with him to advance prosperity through global commerce.”

Sarah Medcraf, CEO, Moray Chamber of Commerce, commented: “I am very pleased to see Charandeep Singh appointed as CEO of SCC. Moray Chamber has worked very closely with SCC to boost Scotland’s regional exports on recent trade missions to USA. I look forward to future collaborations with SCC to take advantage of emerging opportunities and enhance the impact of the Scottish Chambers Network.”

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, outgoing Chief Executive, commented: “I am delighted that Charandeep Singh has been appointed CEO of SCC. He has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism and passion in dealing with some of the most challenging issues of our age. From the Scottish Independence Referendum to Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, he has been a formidable advocate for Scotland’s hard-working entrepreneurs and businesses. His energy, creativity, and awareness of the challenges and opportunities ahead make him the ideal person to lead SCC. I wish him and the organisation tremendous success.”

Rosslyn Chapel has received a prestigious 5-star award in a new quality scheme for visitor attractions in Scotland.

The scheme, managed by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), reviews and scores all areas of the visitor experience in an incognito visit – from pre-arrival information and first impressions to the core experience itself, as well as catering, retail and toilet provision. It was introduced in 2025, replacing a grading scheme for attractions run by VisitScotland.

Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: ‘We are all delighted and very proud to receive this 5-star award recognising the high quality of the visitor experience at Rosslyn Chapel. This is our first visit under the new scheme and the award recognises the commitment and dedication of the team, across the whole site, to provide one of the leading visitor experiences in Scotland.’

Photo: Graham MacKay, Visitor Services Manager, with colleagues Lorraine Costello, Norheena Carnie and Sarah Petrie, showing the new award.

Further information from:
Ian Gardner, Director, Rosslyn Chapel Trust
Rosslyn Chapel, Chapel Loan, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9PU
www.rosslynchapel.com

Gilson Gray strengthens London offering with senior dispute resolution and insolvency hire

Full-service UK law firm Gilson Gray has hired experienced lawyer Paul Madden as partner, head of dispute resolution for England, and head of international insolvency, further strengthening the firm’s London practice and supporting its continued growth across the UK.

In his new role, Paul will lead Gilson Gray’s dispute resolution and international insolvency services in England, with a particular focus on funds disputes, alternative funds’ solutions, securities litigation, shareholder disputes, and corporate insolvencies. As a leading advisor in the share appraisal litigation space, he will work closely with a broad range of clients, drawing on his extensive cross-border experience. He will also focus on building strategic relationships with offshore law firms to support overseas disputes.

Paul joins Gilson Gray from Harneys, where he was global co-head of its mergers and securities litigation department and a partner in its insolvency team, working across the firm’s Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, and London offices. Prior to that, he held senior positions at Irish law firms A&L Goodbody and McCann Fitzgerald, where he advised on major matters including the restructuring of Eircom, Ireland’s largest telecommunications company, and the special liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.

The appointment marks a significant step in Gilson Gray’s expansion in England and follows a series of senior hires within its London office, including Steven Eckett as head of employment for England and Linda Pope as head of family law England.

Glen Gilson, chairman and managing partner at Gilson Gray, said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to the firm. His depth of experience in complex disputes and insolvency, together with his strong leadership credentials, make him an excellent fit as we continue to grow our presence in London and across England. This appointment underlines our commitment to building high-performing teams that deliver outstanding results for clients.”

With nearly 500 employees across London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen, Lincoln and Angus, Gilson Gray continues to reinforce its position as the UK’s fastest growing law firm, according to the UK Fast Growth Index. The firm also ranks as the 15th fastest growing professional services business overall – the highest placement for any organisation in the legal sector.

Paul added: “Gilson Gray has a clear sense of direction and an ambitious growth strategy, which really appealed to me. The firm’s values also align closely with my own approach to delivering practical, high-quality legal advice. I’m looking forward to working closely with colleagues across the firm to further enhance the dispute resolution and insolvency offering, while supporting the continued success of the London office.”

Showcase Your Apprenticeships Ahead of NAW & SAW 2026

Are you getting ready to promote your apprenticeship programme? We help companies show what it’s really like to work with them, by using video that feels authentic and engaging.

That might mean a short, attention-grabbing video for social media that drives people straight to your website. Or it could be a more in-depth piece that shows the range of roles available and the people behind them. Whatever the approach, we create video content that helps your apprenticeship offering stand out and gives potential applicants a genuine feel for what you do.

National Apprenticeship Week and Scottish Apprenticeship Week are just around the corner, NAW runs from 9–15 February 2026, and SAW follows on 2–6 March 2026, so this is an ideal time to get involved.

At Dangerous Studio, we’re big believers in the power of apprenticeships and vocational pathways. We’ve spent years working with national and regional Developing the Young Workforce teams, as well as major manufacturing and engineering companies, helping them bring these opportunities to life. And because several of us have young people who’ve taken apprenticeship routes themselves, we really get how important these pathways are.

You can find out more info at https://www.dangerous.studio/promote-your-apprenticeships

Or drop me a reply if you want to chat about it. Phone office: 0131 440 5692, email info@dangerous.studio, website: www.dangerous.studio

Thank you to the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce for running events which genuinely work

In October we attended the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. We turned up to meet members, start conversations, and build real relationships. It delivered.

Our stand welcomed Sean Docherty from the award winning MacMac Cleaning Services. Fellow chamber member. Straight talking. Proud of his business. Honest about one thing. Their website needed attention.

Sean talked us through MacMac’s growth. A trusted cleaning team. CHAS Elite accredited. Known for pressure washing, exterior cleaning, commercial work, and dependable service across Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian. The site no longer reflected the standard of the work or the reputation behind the name.

We took a proper look. We reviewed structure, content, and clarity. We focused on search visibility, trust signals, and telling the MacMac story in plain language. No fluff. No jargon.

As we move through the final business days of 2025, we are proud to say the new MacMac Cleaning Services website is live. Polished. Clear. Built to support growth. Built to represent an award winning business properly online. – https://www.macmaccleaningservices.co.uk/

This is what the chamber does best. It brings the right people into the same room. It creates space for conversations which turn into partnerships. It supports members who want to improve and invest in their future.

Thank you to the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce for running events which genuinely work. Thank you to Sean and the MacMac team for the trust and collaboration.

If you are a chamber member reading this, this story is for you. Turn up. Talk to people. Ask for help. Strong businesses grow faster together.

From : Power On Web Design

Contact: Martin Kay, Founder & Web Designer
📞 0131 392 8692 – 07384 328719
📧 hello@poweronwebdesign.com

https://www.poweronwebdesign.com/