The Scotsman

Jeweller gleams as 650th company signing up to Scottish Business Pledge

- By EMMA NEWLANDS

A Stirling-based jeweller has become the 650th company to sign up to a partnershi­p between the Scottish Government and business, aimed at boosting productivi­ty, competitiv­eness, sustainabl­e employment, and workforce engagement and developmen­t.

Lily Blanche has added its name to the Scottish Business Pledge, whose focuses include a commitment to paying the real Living Wage; promoting workforce engagement and developmen­t; business innovation and community involvemen­t with youth engagement and globalisat­ion.

The firm was founded by Gillian Crawford, and it this week hosted Scottish business minister Jamie Hepburn to talk about the pledge and the potential for ecommerce in Scotland.

Crawford, a Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) ambassador and chair of the British Associatio­n of Women Entreprene­urs, said Lily Blanche’s multi-lingual team has been accelerati­ng its ecommerce. “Social purpose and fair work are at the centre of our strategy and doing business in an ethical manner is important to us and to our customers.”

MSP Hepburn discussed a new ecommerce resource for Scotland.

In conjunctio­n with the University of Strathclyd­e Business School and ecommerce specialist Indez, Crawford is one of a small team working on establishi­ng a new Scottish ecommerce institute.

WES chief executive Carolyn Currie welcomed the company becoming the 650th to sign up to the Business Pledge. “Women-led businesses play a vital role in driving sustainabl­e growth… Gillian commits a huge amount of time to supporting the ecosystem for female entreprene­urs, paying forward the skills and knowledge she has acquired.”

 ??  ?? 0 Founder Gillian Crawford favours an ethical approach
0 Founder Gillian Crawford favours an ethical approach

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