Scotland's Business Leaders to Participate in U.S. Leadership Summit

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International (SDI) will lead a delegation of ambitious Scottish companies on a learning journey this week to the United States to meet some of the U.S.'s most inspiring and successful leaders from a variety of backgrounds and industries.

The companies will meet representatives from Ralph Lauren, Bloomberg and IBM to gain insight into leadership skills and hear first-hand how successful leadership can make or break a business. Companies will also hear from James Trainor, special agent in charge of the Intelligence Division at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about how essential leadership is in crisis management.

On Wednesday of this week, the companies will also attend a GlobalScot regional conference in New York, where they will make valuable connections and gain additional advice from US-based members of the GlobalScot network.

Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, will address the learning journey participants at a welcome reception, before attending the GlobalScot conference mid week and then travelling on to Washington DC to meet with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Wilson said: "We are continuously working with our colleagues at SDI to establish a culture of leadership in Scottish business. This learning journey is an unrivalled opportunity for Scottish companies seeking to develop a more international perspective to make those invaluable, face-to-face connections with US business leaders and GlobalScots."

"The connections that will be made during this learning journey have the potential not only to generate new international business for Scottish companies, but to really accelerate Scotland's economic growth."

Danny Cusick, President of North America for SDI said, "As Scotland's largest export market and source of inward investment, the U.S. is a vital economic partner for Scotland, with collaborations in a number of strategic sectors, such as life sciences, financial services, textiles and renewable energy."

"This learning journey will help further cement the relationships between companies on both sides of the Atlantic, while providing an unrivalled opportunity for Scottish companies seeking to develop a more international perspective to make those invaluable, face-to-face connections with US business leaders and GlobalScots," said Cusick.

About Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic development agency and aims to deliver a significant, lasting effect on the Scottish economy. Our role is to help identify and exploit the best opportunities for economic growth. We support ambitious Scottish companies to compete within the global marketplace and help build Scotland's globally competitive sectors. We also work with a range of partners in the public and private sectors to attract new investment to Scotland and to help create a world-class business environment.

About Scottish Development International

Scottish Development International (SDI) works to attract inward investment and knowledge to Scotland to help the economy grow. It also helps Scottish companies to do more business overseas and promote Scotland as a good place to live, work and do business. It is jointly operated by Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government, and its work is guided by the Scottish Government's strategy for economic development in Scotland.

SOURCE Scottish Development International