Chief Executive Visits Local Businesses

East Lothian Council’s Chief Executive, Laurence Rockey who recently took up the position, joined Elaine Carmichael, Economic Development Team Manager on 19^th August for a day of visits to several local businesses to learn more about their work and to explore opportunities for collaboration.

^{Laurence Rockey, ELC, Neil Christison, VS,
Harry Hutton, SSC, Helen MacDonald, SSC, Elaine Carmichael, ELC}

The visits included the Scottish Seabird Centre (SSC), Marine North Berwick, Jerba Campervans and The Chocolate Tree, where the team heard about recent successes, ongoing challenges, and future plans. Business owners and staff welcomed the chance to showcase their contributions to the local economy and community.

*^{Laurence Rockey, ELC, Elaine Carmichael, ELC, Ali Gower, The Chocolate Tree}*

Following the visits, Laurence said:
“It was a pleasure to meet a selection of our businesses across a range of sectors, hear their stories and see first-hand the passion and creativity that go into running a local business. These visits are always a highlight for me. Meeting people face-to-face and hearing directly about their experiences helps us understand how we can support them and work in partnership to deliver a thriving economy in East Lothian.”

^{_{Rory Steel, FBTS, Gina Clark, Marine, Laurence Rockey, ELC, Elaine Carmichael, ELC, Peter Duthie, Neil Christison, VS}}

Neil Christison, Regional Director, VisitScotland (VS) said:
“It was a privilege to accompany Laurence, as we visited Marine North Berwick and the Scottish Seabird Centre, which exemplify the quality that the region offers to visitors. We had a productive day discussing how East Lothian can continue to engage and attract visitors from across the UK and abroad. Partnership working is at the heart of all that we do at VisitScotland. It is essential to work together with the industry and the public, private and third sectors, to make Scotland a destination of choice for visitors from near and far. We have a strong partnership with East Lothian Council and Visit East Lothian and are committed to continue to work with them and local businesses to develop the visitor experience and raise the profile of this fantastic visitor destination.”

Representatives from the events sector, including Fringe by the Sea, joined the group at the Marine where the economic benefits of events and seasonality were discussed.

The initiative is part of East Lothian Council’s commitment to building closer relationships with businesses across the area, ensuring their voices help shape future priorities and the delivery of the East Lothian Local Economy Strategy. We’re looking forward to more visits like this, strengthening connections and celebrating the fantastic businesses that make our community thrive.