Business for Scotland
| Formation | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Focus | Scottish independence referendum, 2014 |
Key people | Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, |
| Mission | To ensure the Scottish SME business community can make an educated and informed decision about the 2014 Referendum on Independence |
| Website |
businessforscotland |
Business for Scotland is a business network and business and economic policy think tank which seeks to give a voice to businesspeople who support Scottish independence.[1]
Formation and Membership
Business for Scotland was founded by six Scottish business owners and directors, and generated over 250 members by word-of-mouth prior to the launch of its website. The organisation's membership had risen to 350 by the time of its official launch in May 2013, where it was publicly backed by Falklands War veteran and Scottish entrepreneur, Tony Banks.[2][3] Jim Mather, who was a member of the Scottish Parliament for the Scottish National Party (SNP) between 2003 and 2011, and served as Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism under the 2007-11 SNP government, is a Director at the organisation.[4][5]
By March 2014, membership of the organisation was claimed to be in excess of 1300.[6] Many of the members display their profile on the Business for Scotland website. The organisation now has over 3,500 members post referendum.
Company Formation
“Business for Scotland”, SC430989. The company was first registered on 23 August 2012 by a sole director named as a Mr Gordon MacIntrye Kemp. It is registered as a Private, Limited by Guarantee Company with no shareholdings.
Business for Scotland is a membership organisation with a standard membership price of £100.00 per year. The declaration that all prospective members need to sign is a definite Pro-Independence, Scottish Self Determination Pledge.
Companies house shows copies of their Articles of Association. Throughout Section 4 of their Articles there is no mention of political expenditure but it says “To carry on the business as a business network and business policy think tank in a manner which is consistent with the ethos and principles of the co-operative (company) business model.” This is also a mandatory requirement for membership.
Companies House displays one of their most recent company documents: AA01 – Change of Accounting Reference Date. The company was created on 22 August 2012 with an original Year End (for accounting purposes) at the 31st of August 2013. This means that all transactions in that year would then have to be recorded as a public record 9 months later in May 2014. However, the submission of the AA01 form changes this date (legally) for the first year end to be the 31st December 2013 making the new date for publishing the accounts to 30 September 2014.
"Business for Scotland" have disclosed all donations received and all monies spent during the referendum campaign in accordance with the Electoral Commission rules.
See also
References
- ↑ Our Goal www.businessforscotland.co.uk, 14 May 2013
- ↑ "Business for Scotland independence group launches". 14 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ↑ "Scottish referendum: Business leaders join new pro-independence group". BBC News. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ↑ CBI, accessed 3 February 2015
- ↑ CIFAL, accessed 3 February 2015
- ↑ businessforscotland.co.uk, accessed 1 March 2014
External links
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