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John Swinney last night told a financial services gathering that the sector was \u201ca force for good\u201d that the government would promote as one of Scotland\u2019s economic strengths.<\/p>\n
Addressing the Scottish Financial Services awards in Glasgow, the First Minister said he had just returned from India which offered enormous potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to be constantly looking outwards so that our strengths are employed in other jurisdictions,\u201d he told the 770 guests attending the event.<\/p>\n
He also referenced the Scale-Up Summit which is being organised by Scottish Financial Enterprise, describing it as \u201canother chance to bring Scotland to a wider audience.\u201d<\/p>\n
The evening\u2019s highlight was the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Dame Susan Rice for her contribution to the financial services industry.<\/p>\n
She was honoured at the Scottish Financial Services Awards in Glasgow in a year which marks the 40th anniversary of Scottish Financial Enterprise.<\/p>\n
The trade organisation was set up to represent the sector at the time of deregulation in the City, known as Big Bang, and has been a constant link with government and other public agencies through key developments, including legislative and regulatory changes, the financial crash of 2008-09 and Brexit.<\/p>\n
Dame Susan was recognised for her contribution to financial and professional services in Scotland. She was the first woman to lead a European clearing bank as chief executive of Lloyds TSB Scotland, and has held a number of other senior roles across a 40-year career.<\/p>\n
Among the award winners were Baillie Gifford for the UK\u2019s first fully native tokenised fund and Aberdeen for its landmark transaction with Stagecoach\u2019s pension scheme, demonstrating that Scotland remains at the forefront of innovation for financial services. <\/p>\n
This year also saw the inaugural fintech award, highlighting Scotland\u2019s leadership in this emerging field, with the award going to Addepar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sue Dawe, chair of SFE and EY Scotland managing partner, said the industry was barely recognisable to how it operated in 1986 with AI, quantum computing, and digital currencies being examples of change over those four decades.<\/p>\n
Regarding Dame Susan, she said: \u201cFew people have shaped Scotland\u2019s financial services sector from so many perspectives: banker, board director, public servant, policy adviser and champion of higher standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cDame Susan Rice has brought leadership, sound judgement and unwavering integrity to some of Scotland\u2019s most important institutions. Long before purpose and sustainability became boardroom priorities, she understood that successful businesses must earn trust, support communities and contribute to long-term prosperity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSusan\u2019s career has not merely run alongside the advancement of the sector; she has helped shape it and continues to do so. I am delighted to present her with the Scottish Financial Enterprise Lifetime Achievement Award.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sandy Begbie, CEO of Scottish Financial Enterprise, said: \u201cThe exceptional quality of this year\u2019s entries reflects the strength, innovation and impact of Scotland\u2019s financial and professional services sector.\u201d<\/p>\n
The full list of winners:<\/p>\n
Lifetime Achievement Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Dame Susan Rice<\/p>\n Rising Star Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Shannon Macnamara \u2013 Aberdeen<\/p>\n Changing Customer Needs Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Nationwide<\/p>\n Net Zero Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Zumo<\/p>\n Skills and Inclusion Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Future Asset<\/p>\n Innovation Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Shared between Aberdeen Group and Ballie Gifford<\/p>\n Business Growth Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Royal Bank of Scotland \u2013 The Accelerator<\/p>\n FinTech Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Addepar<\/p>\n \t <\/div>\n