April 2008
Minutes of Scottish Enterprise board 25 April 2008
Held in Scottish Enterprise’s Edinburgh office
Present:
Sir John Ward CBE, Chairman
Jack Perry, Chief Executive
Pat Denzler
Fred Hallsworth
Charlie Morrison
Donald MacRae
Colin McClatchie
Ray Perman
Barbara Duffner OBE
Sir Timothy O’Shea
Douglas Lamb
Apologies:
Lena Wilson, Chief Operating Officer
In Attendance:
Roger McClure, Scottish Funding Council
Hugh Hall, Chief Financial Officer
Paul Lewis, MD Industries
Jim McFarlane, MD Operations
John Phillips, Senior Director, People & Organisational Development
Julian Taylor, Research & Policy
Brian Jamieson, SE Secretary
Imelda Molloy, Corporate Office
1.Private
(Board Members Only)
The Board discussed the annual performance review of the Chief Executive. (The Chief Executive then joined the meeting)
The Chairman briefed members on the current status of the Scottish Government’s recruitment process for the new Board members.
The Chief Executive briefed members on current discussions with the Scottish Government following the failure to find an appointable candidate from the external recruitment exercise conducted by the Scottish Government. Alternative options were now being pursued jointly with the Scottish Government with a view to making an appointment at an early opportunity.
2. Minutes of board meeting held on 28 March 2008 se (m)211
The minutes of the previous meeting and the outstanding action points were approved.
3. Chairman’s report
As this was the final Board Meeting being attended by Roger McClure he was thanked for his input during his period of office.
Dr Andrew Goudie has accepted an invitation to join the Board on occasions when there are Strategy discussions.
The Chairman had attended a number of external meetings, including the launch of the Easter Bush Research Consortium and a session with BBC Scotland’s news editors.
4.Chief executive’s report
The Chief Executive reported on his visit with the Minister to USA, visiting companies in Seattle and Austin.
The Business Plan 2008-11 would be launched on 28 April.
An update was given on the discussions with Stirling Medical Innovations.
A positive meeting had been held with COSLA on future relationships.
The transfer of local regeneration projects had not yet been agreed. Discussions continued with COSLA and the Scottish Government.
The Business Gateway contracts had been transferred to Local Authorities with effect from 1 April. The national functions were to be overseen by a group chaired by the Scottish Government and including SE, HIE, COSLA, FSB and Scottish Chambers of Commerce. The Board asked for confirmation that Local Authorities were required to pass appropriate contacts to SE’s High Growth Start Up Unit and how future targets in the contracts would be set.
It was noted that SE had exceeded the target range of 9,000 – 10,000 startups assisted in 2007-08 and the team were congratulated on this extra effort in a challenging year.
The Investment Committee had discussed the review of ITI Scotland and this would come to the Board with an action plan probably in June. Full consideration should be in a session setting out the wider remit of company building and commercialisation encompassing all relevant initiatives.
5.Investments for approval
Clyde pumps – se (08)49
Allan McQuade, Director Business Infrastructure, West, joined the meeting for this item.
Jim McFarlane reminded the Board of the background to this project and the previous proposal which had been approved.
Allan McQuade outlined the current project as set out in the paper, which was subject to final negotiation and clearance by the state aid unit.
The paper was approved subject to the final terms being seen by the Board, together with confirmation on the state aid position, the Gateway compliance and the equal opportunities question.
6. Items for discussion
Finance & performance: provisional year–end position 07/08 – se (08)50
Iain Scott and Stuart Patrick joined the meeting for this item.
Iain Scott reported that all 14 key performance measures had been met with eight above the upper end of the ranges. This was a remarkable result during a period of major transition.
The financial results were still being finalised but it was hoped would be within 1 per cent of the budgeted figure.
The Board congratulated the management and the finance team for this successful outcome.
Strategy session
The Board discussed the ongoing consideration of the strategy and the forthcoming meeting with the Cabinet Secretary.
(Roger McClure left the meeting)
SE board communication strategy – se (08)62
Imelda Molloy explained that this was part of the wider strategy of Board engagement across Scotland. It was agreed that the next Board meeting would be held in Edinburgh to tie in with Financial Services Industry events. Future meetings would seek relevant links to different areas of Scotland.
7. Committee updates
Minutes of performance committee 28 March 2008 – sebpc (m)(08)01
Donald MacRae referred to the information paper SE (08)51, Economic Performance Indicators. This confirmed that, although most of the indicators showed movement in a positive direction, Scotland still had more fourth quartile indicators than most small European Comparators.
Charlie Morrison reported that the Operations Committee had considered the Major Projects Review. The Ineos Project was subject to significant delay. The Priority Industry measures would come to the Committee. The Committee encouraged the zero based project review.
The Investment Committee had considered the ITI Scotland review mentioned above, which was a very good piece of work.
8. Information papers
The Board noted the following Information Papers.
| Economic Performance Indicators (March 2008 Update) | SE(08)51 |
| Corporate Social Responsibility | SE(08)52 |
| Outstanding Action Points from SE Board | SE(08)53 |
| Global, UK and Scottish Economic Commentary | SE(08)54 |
| Monthly Update – Operations | SE(08)55 |
| Monthly Update – Industries | SE(08)56 |
| Monthly Update – SDI | SE(08)57 |
| Approvals Within Delegated Authority | SE(08)58 |
| Complaints & Testimonials | SE(08)59 |
| Calendar of Forward Events | SE(08)60 |
On the Corporate Social Responsibility paper, it was suggested that more information be put voluntarily into the public domain. The revised website would facilitate this. It was also an opportunity to establish thought leadership on relevant issues.
The successful trade mission to Israel focusing on Life Sciences was highlighted for all participants having secured business as a direct result.
It was noted that the Advanced Forming Research Centre had now met the necessary membership recruitment requirements.
Brian Jamieson
SE Secretary
May 2008