Last September the advisory panel of business and economic representatives tasked with creating a fresh strategy for enterprise and skills support in Scotland was unveiled.

The Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board, which met for the first time on 13 December, will work to maximise output from public sector investment in these areas.

Image source, Getty mages

It features members with a wealth of business experience encompassing a broad range of sectors, sizes and locations, with further representation covering education, research, trade unions, local authorities and the new South of Scotland enterprise agency.

The board is chaired by Nora Senior, who recently completed terms as Chair of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and President of the British Chambers of Commerce.

It will align and co-ordinate the activities of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council.

Image source, bbc

Strategic Board for Enterprise and Skills chair Nora Senior says the board has met twice and looked at the economic context in Scotland and future skills needs.

Ms Senior says the board comes from a diverse range of sectors.

The Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board chair Nora Senior, who is UK chair of global communications firm Weber Shandwick,‎ said:

“It is time for a different way of looking at the enterprise and skills agenda, adopting a fresh approach and responding to changing economic, business and innovation needs.

Image source, British Chambers of Commerce

“With such an ambitious remit, it is essential for the board to feature a range of voices with a depth of knowledge and experience of Scotland’s economy. The calibre of members we have invited on to the board is hugely impressive,

“I am confident that together we can build on the strengths of our system of enterprise and skills support, strengthen the links with other skills organisations and wider community to further drive inclusive growth and innovation across the country.”

The Economy Committee will shortly take evidnence on Scotland's economy from enterprise and skills agencies.

MSPs will begin by quizzing Strategic Board for Enterprise and Skills, external chair Nora Senior.

Image source, BBC/Thinkstock

The committee will then hear from:

• Linda Hanna from Scottish Enterprise, external
• David Oxley from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, external
• Sarah Deas from Scottish Enterprise, external
• Gordon McGuinness from Skills Development Scotland, external
• Dr Stuart Fancey from the Scottish Funding Council, external

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Tuesday 27 February 2018.

The Economy Committee takes evidence on Scotland’s economic performance from the skills and enterprise agencies.

Image source, bbc/Getty images

After topical questions on alcohol minimum unit pricing and trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow in the afternoon, the Scottish government leads a debate on a healthy weight strategy.

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton will then lead a debate on whisky tourism.