Green Investment Bank sale
Economy Secretary welcomes commitment to Scotland as new owner announced.
The Scottish Government has welcomed commitments from the new owners of the Green Investment Bank on the future of the Edinburgh-based institution.
The UK Government announced plans to privatise the Bank in 2015, a decision that wasn’t favoured by the Scottish Government. Its sale to the Macquarie Group, a global investment banking and financial services organisation, was confirmed earlier today.
The Macquarie Group has pledged to strengthen its commitment to Scotland by providing important new opportunities for the country’s low carbon industries and financial sector. Ministers have pledged to hold the company to account to ensure it delivers on its commitment.
The Scottish Government has been working to secure the Bank’s future, while highlighting the business opportunities and professional expertise available in Scotland.
Ministers had also stressed the importance of maintaining the Bank’s green focus, and the role it has played in the remarkable success of Scotland’s renewable energy industry.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said:
“I welcome the Macquarie Group’s clear commitment to Scotland and the assurances we have received that it will maintain the Green Investment Bank’s unique identity and its focus on the green projects that are key to Scotland’s continued economic success.
“This announcement is testament to the talent and opportunity to be found here and I look forward to working with the Macquarie Group to ensure its ambitious plans for Scotland are realised.
“The latest statistics show the number of people employed in the renewable and low carbon industries here has risen to 58,500, highlighting the sector’s strong record of success in Scotland.
“This, alongside Edinburgh’s leading role in the financial services sector, means Scotland is uniquely well placed to support investment decision-making in renewables and low carbon projects and I will continue to work with the Macquarie group to underline this.
“The Macquarie Group has indicated that staffing levels at the Green Investment Bank’s Edinburgh offices will be maintained and are likely to increase overall in the longer term. We will follow developments closely in the months and years ahead.”
Background
Scottish Government news releases on the future of the Green Investment Bank
More on Green jobs in Scotland
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