The culture of public service is the principle that can unify the new government with the communities of Northeast Scotland, where business leaders are more likely to be found on the board of a local charity than on board a private jet.
Keir Starmer’s administration has placed a renewed emphasis on public service as the guiding principle of its governance.
This approach aligns closely with the values of Northeast Scotland, where businesses have traditionally played a dual role: as engines of economic activity and as stewards of community welfare.
As someone who has spent decades navigating the business landscapes of both Scotland and beyond, I’ve learned that success is never just about having the right strategy: it’s about understanding the people and cultures behind the numbers.
Scotland’s business environment is shaped by a distinct cultural identity that includes a strong sense of regional pride, resilience in the face of economic challenges, and a preference for community-driven solutions.
When people talk to me about cross-cultural understanding, they are usually referring to understanding between people of different nationalities and faith traditions (an important aspect of my work as Ambassador for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to Pakistan); but cross-cultural understanding is equally vital across subtle cultural differences such as communication style, approach to conflict and the differences in perspective from Westminster and Aberdeen.
Readers of the P&J know that headlines in national newspapers can be misleading, and that it’s important to understand the full picture. Headlines about the profits of oil & gas companies may have conveyed the impression (in other parts of the UK) that the business community of Northeast Scotland is focused on profit before people and planet. My appeal to the new government is to prioritize gaining a deep and thorough understanding of the challenging realities of the Energy Sector economy and its impact on other sectors across the UK.
For Northeast Scotland, a region facing significant challenges as it navigates the transition from traditional industries to new economic models, this commitment from the government is crucial. The area’s reliance on industries like oil and gas, which are now at a crossroads due to the global shift towards sustainability, means that the government’s role in facilitating a just transition is more important than ever. The new government’s focus on public service will be key to ensuring that this transition is managed in a way that supports local communities, preserves jobs, and fosters new opportunities.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s (SCC) 15-point action plan reflects the specific challenges and opportunities within the Scottish economic landscape, advocating for policies that support regional autonomy, investment in local industries, and a just transition for the oil and gas sector.
For example, the SCC’s emphasis on reducing taxes and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reflects a cultural value placed on entrepreneurship and self-reliance within Scotland. The UK government, in implementing these recommendations, must appreciate the underlying cultural drivers that make such policies not just economically viable, but culturally resonant. Policies that appear to impose top-down solutions without considering these cultural values are likely to face resistance, even if they are well-intentioned.
The SCC’s call for a Green Industrial Strategy highlights the importance of balancing environmental goals with the economic realities of regions like Northeast Scotland, where the oil and gas industry has been a major employer for decades. This means ensuring that workers in traditional industries are given the resources, training, and investment they need to transition to new roles in the green economy.
Another key aspect of the SCC’s plan is the support for SMEs, which are vital to the economic health of Northeast Scotland. These businesses often face challenges that are unique to their local context, whether it’s access to finance, regulatory burdens, or workforce development. The new government’s approach must include a deep understanding of these challenges and a commitment to addressing them in a way that is sensitive to the specific needs of the region.
Effective communication and collaboration between the UK government and the Scottish business community require a cross-cultural understanding that goes beyond mere policy alignment. It involves recognizing and bridging the differences in how business is conducted, how decisions are made, and how success is measured across different cultural contexts.
A shared core value can significantly enhance cross-cultural understanding by serving as a common ground or foundation upon which individuals or groups from different cultures can build mutual respect, trust, and collaboration.
The culture of public service is more than just a value: it is the foundation for a strong partnership between the new government and the communities of Northeast Scotland. This partnership, grounded in a shared commitment to the public good, could not only strengthen the region but also serve as a model for how government and communities can work together to create a prosperous and inclusive future for all.
This article was first published in the Press and Journal‘s The Business, 30 August 2024
