Business leaders have urged Nicola Sturgeon's successor as First Minister to put SMEs and businesses at the heart of their work.
Ms Sturgeon said she was stepping down as First Minister and as leader of the SNP, insisting the time "was right for me, for my party and for the country". She said her decision would also “free” the SNP to take a decision on how to pursue independence “without worrying about the perceived implications for my leadership”.
The Federation of Small Businesses’ Scotland Policy Chair, Andrew McRae, said: "We always enjoyed a constructive relationship with the First Minister throughout her record-breaking term – a period which was dominated by some of the greatest challenges our economy and communities have faced in decades.
"We look forward to continuing this positive role as a critical friend with her successor. The incoming First Minister will have an exceptionally challenging in-tray and we would urge them to look to Scotland’s small businesses and the communities they sustain as an early priority.
"We wish Nicola Sturgeon all the very best for whatever comes next. And we look forward to working with her successor, whoever they may be."
Catherine McWilliam. director of nations in Scotland for the Institute of Directors, said: “Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to resign as First Minister is without doubt the end of an era and we would like to thank her for her support for Scotland’s business community over the last 16 years.
"Equally, we look forward to working alongside her successor to ensure that government policymaking accelerates the potential for businesses to thrive in this country in future.”
Dr Liz Cameron CBE, chief Executive at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "Regardless of political persuasion, we can all agree that the First Minister has been a committed, dedicated and passionate public servant for Scotland. We have agreed and disagreed on economic policies but we have always found common ground on the importance of promoting Scotland on the world stage to boost our exports and promote investment.
"As we look ahead to whoever becomes the next First Minister, a full in-tray of issues requiring immediate attention awaits them.
“Urgency, action and partnership will be the watchwords from the business community. These will be essential parameters to create a business environment in Scotland which is growth-led and competitive. We will continue to work with the next First Minister as genuine partners as we collectively grow the economy as well as correcting regulatory policies which are not practically working for businesses.”
Simon McWhirter, director of communications, policy and places at the UK Green Building Council, said: “The Scottish Government under Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership has enjoyed a strong and collaborative relationship with the built environment industry as we work towards a net zero future for Scotland. We hope that her successor builds on Scotland’s ambitious climate commitments to sustain momentum in delivery, and press onwards at speed and scale.
"Whoever next leads the Government, our close partnership delivering a greener future for Scotland will continue. From working as part of a diverse Green Heat Finance Taskforce to delivering on the promises of the Heat in Buildings Strategy through Heat & Energy Efficiency Scotland, our network of more than 100 Scottish organisations look forward to collaborating with the Scottish Government to tackle the cost of living and climate crises."
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said Nicola Sturgeon had been a “formidable politician” and he thanked her for her service as First Minister.
The Conservative minister said: “I particularly appreciate the work that she undertook to help us deliver two new Freeports in Scotland, bringing thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of investment.
“A new first minister will have a real chance to re-focus the Scottish Government on what they were elected to do – improve public services such as health and education that people rely on and that are vital to Scotland’s future success.
“Her resignation presents a welcome opportunity for the Scottish Government to change course, and to drop its divisive obsession with independence.
“I want to see a Scottish Government that works hand in hand with the UK Government to realise our full potential as a country.”
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “There is no doubt that Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that she will resign from her position of First Minister is a sizeable development in Scottish politics.
“She is the driving force behind the SNP who have won elections and continued in power during her leadership.
“Throughout this time the housing and property sector in Scotland has gone through significant change.
“We’ve seen the introduction of letting agent regulation and registration, increased tax burdens on those wishing to buy property as a landlord or second homeowner and more recently a continued desire from her administration to introduce damaging long-term rent control measures.
“A change of leadership can often lead to a shift in focus but on its own is unlikely to restore confidence among investors who ultimately can unlock increased supply for tenants and better-quality homes for all.
“Propertymark stands ready to work with her successor to deliver proportionate and workable solutions for the sector that are based on evidence.”
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