Ana Stewart to become unpaid chief entrepreneur – Daily Business

Ana Stewart, the businesswoman and campaigner for diversity, has been named chief entrepreneur to the Scottish government in an unpaid capacity.

Ms Stewart will succeed Mark Logan who quit last year saying he was unhappy over criticism of his role and his six-figure pay deal.

Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary, had indicated that she would not replace Mr Logan but has agreed to install Ms Stewart to advise the government on the next stage of the government’s support for start-ups.

Among her duties will be heading up a £700,000 Ecosystem Fund that will be delivered by social enterprise Inspirent, based in Hamilton.

Ms Stewart co-authored the 2023 Pathways report on supporting women in entrepreneurship and will take up her new role in July.

Speaking after announcing the appointment today, Ms Forbes said the decision to revive the post emerged from discussions on developing the programme for startups.

Ms Stewart said she had been pushing for the chief entrepreneur role to be continued. “There should be somebody in government driving entrepreneurship,” she said. “I have always said that role should continue. Whether it was me or not we should continue the work that Mark has done.”

She said it was essential to “provide more pathways, increased access and accelerated funding to current and future founders, whilst ensuring private and public sector are aligned.”

Founder of Ecosystem Builders Network Bruce Walker, a previous recipient, said the fund had been a “vital catalyst” for Scotland’s entrepreneurial community.

“It has allowed us to deliver targeted programmes to help entrepreneurs build resilient businesses.”

The chief entrepreneur role was established by Ms Forbes in 2022 as part of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

Mr Logan was paid £260,000 over two years, attracting criticism, mainly on social media.

Ms Stewart has elected not to be paid and has agreed with ministers that funds earmarked for her remuneration will be reinvested in the Scottish start-up economy.

… more follows