Chamber of Commerce president reveals big plans for Glasgow's development
The former airport boss is telling us about his priorities for the city
Last updated 5th Feb 2024
The newly elected president of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is telling Greatest Hits Radio News that he is thrilled to help grow what is already a "world-leading'" city.
The Glasgow native has spent his career working across various aviation roles including managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, chief operating officer of Heathrow Airport and director of Future Heathrow.
He is joined by incoming Vice President Fiona Doherty, who is managing director of Stagecoach West Scotland and UK Service Operations Centre.
The two transport leaders will spearhead the Chamber for the next two years as the city prepares to face a series of strategically important challenges and changes.
'A great privilege'
Due to his background in the airport business, Derek explained that he is all about putting Glasgow on the map.
He said: "I have been very close to the Chamber for nearly two decades now.
"My career has been in the aviation industry all of my life. Most of that time has been in Glasgow.
"So I've actually spent most of my working career trying to connect Glasgow to the rest of the world and to grow the Glasgow economy.
"So now, it gives me a great opportunity to work directly with businesses to help us do that.
"It's a great privilege to be working on behalf of the economic development of the city and on behalf of Glasgow businesses, to make sure that their voice is being heard."
Glasgow's economic landscape
Derek said he thinks the current economic landscape appears to be coping well with Covid-19 recovery.
He said: "In some areas, it's really good - particularly in the city centre, some of the key streets are almost back to pre-pandemic levels.
"But I think there's a certain look and feel in the city just now, that we hear time and again from not just business, but members of the public as well.
"I would like Glasgow to be the real powerhouse of the North. And to do that, we have to have a city that people are proud of.
"The city task force that the Chamber is working with the City Council to deliver is to reimagine what that city centre should and would look like moving forward."
Plans for the Golden Z
Derek said he hopes to see tangible changes to Glasgow's Golden Z this year, after the City Council announced plans to revamp the streets including Buchanan Street, Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street.
He said: " Glasgow houses over a third of Scotland's population.
"We are key to the future of not just Glasgow, but Scotland itself. So we have to be the leaders in how these changes are starting to take place.
"Glasgow will and should be leading Scotland on what the redevelopment of a city should look like. And the work that's taking place just now with the city centre task force, with the city council is demonstrating that the Golden Z is something that we can make a reality.
"We want to do that quickly. We want to see some action on the ground quickly this year."
READ MORE: Glasgow's economic recovery plan approved
Key focuses
Derek explains he has 10 key priorities he hopes to focus on - including expanding the SEC, Glasgow Airport, and working with more innovation zones to bring industry to the city.
He said: "We have 10 key projects that we want to deliver, not just in the city centre, but across the Glasgow region.
"These would include things like the expansion of the SEC, the ongoing growth of Glasgow Airport, particularly for inbound passengers so that we see more tourism coming into Glasgow.
"The rail link that's been spoken about now for a long time. We'd like to see that move forward, particularly with the Scottish Government.
"To work with the investment zones and innovation zones to see if we can bring new industries to Glasgow that start to lead the world moving forward.
"Our iconic venues have to be as successful as we can make them."
Cost of living
Derek recognised the strain the cost of living and inflationary pressures are having on Glasgow's businesses.
He said: "I think if we're working on these 10 projects, these are 10 projects that businesses tell us help them to move forward.
"So as a Chamber we'll focus on those areas because those are the areas that businesses are telling us that they need to allow them to come out of some of the challenges that have just been highlighted."
Growing momentum
Derek explained he has a keen interest in helping to expand what he believes is already a world-leading city.
He said: "We want to be a thriving city moving forward.
"We want people to come and visit. We need to get the city back on its feet again after a very difficult period in Covid.
"The city council is working very hard to get us there, and we need to bring inbound tourism. And you know, just recently, Emirates informed us that they've seen a 50 per cent increase in tourism to Glasgow.
"We are actually now starting to see some momentum. My role and the role of the chamber now is to make sure that that momentum continues."