Keith Mason, a director of recruiting firm Hays Scotland, has been elected to the CBI Scotland Council.
Mason is a member of the Scottish board of management for Hays and is responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial performance for a number of industry sectors.
He begins a three-year term with the organisation where he will be advising members on all aspects of how to recruit and retain the best possible workforce, including future trends and insights, managing skill shortages, salaries and benefits, and physical and mental well-being in the workplace.
“There have obviously been many unexpected challenges facing businesses in recent years,” said Mason, who divides his time between Hays offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness. “Employers have had to deploy many difference strategies and learn to be creative with their resources in order to survive.
“Thankfully, having hopefully come through the Covid pandemic, there’s real optimism now about the future. However, there are currently many industries where employers are struggling to find the right talent and this is one of the key issues which needs to be addressed to enable Scotland to recover post-Covid and, importantly, in coming years.
“Having been an active member of the Scottish business community for some 22 years with Hays, I’m very much looking forward to making a positive contribution in assisting CBI Scotland members tackle these issues.”
Tracy Black, CBI Scotland director, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Keith to the CBI Scotland Council at such a crucial juncture for the Scottish economy. Local firms are continuing to navigate the lingering impact of the pandemic, while being buffeted by new headwinds, including energy price increases, supply chain disruption and an ever-growing cost-of-living crisis.
“With access to people and skills remaining a key priority for firms of all sizes, even amid these new challenges and increased uncertainty, Keith’s understanding of the local labour market – as well as the wider professional services sector – will prove hugely valuable in helping shape CBI Scotland policy.”