The Chief Executive of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce has announced that he will move on from the role to pursue a new challenge.
Damon Scott, who has led the development and transformation of the Chamber for the last 7 years will take up a new opportunity with Invest Renfrewshire.
During his time with the Chamber Mr Scott has boosted the organisation’s turnover, created a string of employment opportunities and was responsible for the creation and delivery of a number of projects and programmes.
Over the period, Mr Scott guided businesses through the unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic, co-ordinated the delivery of the Scotland Loves Local campaign across Dunbartonshire and set up the Building Bridges Skills Development Programme and ChamberForce Armed Forces Programme in the region. He has been a pivotal figure in both East and West Dunbartonshire, representing private enterprise and providing the voice of business to influence local, Scottish and UK Governments and sitting on a number of strategic boards and committees.
Mr Scott’s new position at Invest Renfrewshire will see him return to a tourism-focused role, having played a key part in the launch and development of Loch Lomond Shores, which was quickly established as one of Scotland’s most popular visitor destinations.
Chamber President, Mary Ann Smith, will take on the leadership of the organisation in the short-term to move it into its next phase of development with the support of fellow board members.
Mr Scott said: “It has been and absolute pleasure to lead the development of the Chamber over the last 7 years. Like any business, it has not been without its challenges, but I am extremely proud of our achievements.
“We continue to modernise and position the chamber as a dynamic organisation that is at the heart of the Dunbartonshire business community. We are now a highly relevant, fast-growing chamber that promotes accessibility and generates impact for the range of businesses and partners we work with.
“As part of our strategic development we defined our purpose “to make a positive impact on the economy and communities of Dunbartonshire” and this is now at the core of everything we do.
“With the Chamber in a much stronger position than when I first took it on and a fantastic board in place, the time felt right to take up a new challenge. I can move on confident in the knowledge that Mary Ann and the other directors will take the organisation forward positively into its next phase of development.”
Mary Ann Smith said: “I cannot overstate the importance of the part Damon has played in transforming the chamber over the last 7 years. We are incredibly grateful for dedication and commitment he has shown and the fantastic relationships he has built with members, partners and the wider business community. Whilst he will be sorely missed we wish him all the best in his new role, I am sure our loss will be Invest Renfrewshire’s gain!”
