In Houston, the Press and Journal’s editor-in-chief, Damian Bates, and I chaired what we hope will be the first in a regular series of breakfast debates.
The topic was “Aberdeen – Its Future as a Global Oil and Gas Player”.
The participants in the discussion included Fergus Ewing MSP – the Minister for Energy, Barney Crockett – leader of Aberdeen City Council, Gordon McIntosh – its director of enterprise, and David Rennie – Scottish Enterprise’s international sector head for oil and gas.
In addition our guests included representatives from industry, banking and professional services. Most importantly, we were able to draw on the experience of some who had experience of Norway and the Middle East.
It was a terrific discussion, not because there was controversy or ideological differences of view. Rather, what was exciting was the genuine engagement by all to try and find ways of achieving that objective.
So what were the ideas that came up? Here are just a few:
– Aberdeen needs to shout a lot more about itself. We don’t do that enough. Let’s celebrate 45 years of success.
– If Aberdeen is to be a world class city, it should better leverage off the resources that Scotland has. That is the opportunity to get the power of six million people behind it, rather than just 300,000.
– Given the stretch on and cost of resource in Aberdeen, let’s explore how we can create a corridor with Inverness and Dundee and work more closely with Glasgow.
– The natural location for the new oil regulatory body, proposed by the Wood Report is Aberdeen. The advantages should be explained to government.
– So as to define Aberdeen not just as a place to work, but also a place to live – and so attracting and retaining the best people – investment should be made in developing it as a cultural centre.
– A truly global city has to have the ability to ensure that legal disputes can be dealt with quickly and effectively. The Commercial Court, should go on circuit to Aberdeen.
– Above all, we have to think bigger!
Philip Rodney is the chairman of Burness Paull.
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