new Scottish office

new Scottish office

Scottish Minister Launches SBAC Scotland Office

14 June 2005

The Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace MSP launched the SBAC's new Scottish office at the Paris Air Show. SBAC Scotland will help represent and support the 140 local companies and the 30,000 employees in the aerospace and defence industries in Scotland.

The Deputy First Minister said, ?Scotland was the only part of the UK which did not have a representative body for the aerospace and defence industries. SBAC Scotland will fill this gap and working alongside Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service will give a significant boost to this important domestic sector.?

?I am particularly pleased to welcome Ian Watson as the first Director of SBAC Scotland. His experience and knowledge of the global aerospace and defence markets will be a major benefit to companies looking to expand their horizons.?

SBAC Scotland will work with the industry base, the Centre of Excellence, Scottish Enterprise and other stakeholders to develop a range of services and programmes geared to business development, industrial transformation and raising the visibility of Scottish aerospace capability on a global scale.

The Director of SBAC Scotland, Ian Watson said, ?The Scottish Aerospace and defence industries have a proud history and a bright future. I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute and am looking forward to the challenges ahead.?

?Scottish Enterprise and its Aerospace Industry Group have worked extremely hard and actively supported SBAC?s efforts to establish this new operation and I will be working closely with them in the months and years ahead.?

SBAC Scotland aims to provide a range of services and offer best value to Scottish companies through:

access to international shows and trade missions
market information and intelligence
better communications with government
delivering industrial transformation programmes
providing access to decision makers in primes and first/second tier suppliers.

For further information, please contact the SBAC Director of Communications.

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Notes to Editors:

Ian Watson has close to 30 years experience in the aerospace and defence industry. He has held senior positions within Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and most recently with Hangingshaw Ventures Ltd. Ian has worked in major international markets promoting and selling UK products.

The SBAC is the national trade association representing suppliers to the civil air transport, aerospace defence and space markets operating in the UK economy. It represents over 800 member companies, assisting them in developing new business globally, facilitates innovation and competitiveness and provides regulatory services in technical standards and accreditation.

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic development agency, funded by the Scottish Executive. Its mission is to help the people and businesses of Scotland succeed. In doing so, it aims to build a world-class economy.