Dr Liz Cameron, Director & Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, has been honoured with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s 2022 New Year Honours List for services to the promotion of Scotland and UK International Trade alongside former Scottish Chambers of Commerce President, Tim Allan.

This follows on from Dr Cameron’s 2013 honour where she was recognised with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to business and commerce.

The accolade is in recognition of Dr Cameron’s service to business, in particular, her contribution to the promotion of Scottish & UK businesses on the world stage.

Dr Cameron has spearheaded new public/private partnerships with the Scottish Government which has onboarded 500 new SME exporters, with those participating increasing turnover by up to £20 million and in the last three years alone, has created over 300 new jobs.

Dr Cameron has led the expansion of trade relationships across the world which has included the signing of 40 country-to-country market agreements and the establishment of new Scottish Trade Offices, with the first opened in Yantai, China in 2017, making it more accessible for Scottish & British companies to export to new markets.

She has also galvanised the international Scottish business community further by creating a global network of Scottish Chamber Ambassadors, who enable faster access to markets using their in-market expertise and connections.

Dr Cameron represents the Scottish business community on several high-level Scottish & UK Government committees and groups. Most notably, she is the Scottish Business Representative on the UK Government’s Strategic Trade Advisory Group, shaping and informing the UK’s future trade policy and ongoing negotiations with current and prospective trade partners.

Liz was also appointed to the UK Government Scotland Office International Trade Working Group in 2020. At a Scottish Government level, Dr Cameron has participated in a wide range of influential groups including, most recently, the Enterprise & Skills Strategic Board, responsible for delivering economic growth in Scotland and provided strategic advice and expertise into the formulation of the Scottish Government’s “Trading Nation” export growth plan.

Dr Cameron also serves as a GlobalScot Trade Ambassador.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr Liz Cameron, said:

“This is a tremendous accolade and I am deeply honoured and humbled to be awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Honours List.

“I am truly thankful to my family, my colleagues and my friends for supporting me throughout my career. I am also grateful to have the privilege of working with so many talented and outstanding businesses and leaders who continue to inspire and motivate me to do more for our business communities.

“I am so proud of how Scottish businesses and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network have continued to forge ahead. This award is a tribute to all businesses who, even in times of crisis, push the boundaries of innovation and trade, and continue to seize the opportunities.

“I will continue to champion Scottish and British businesses to the world and remain steadfastly committed to working in collaboration with civic society to accelerate our recovery, growth and future position in the global marketplace.”

Former SCC President, Tim Allan has also been honoured with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s 2022 New Year Honours List for Services to Business, Charity & the Arts

The leading Scottish business figure holds a wide-ranging portfolio career spanning multiple sectors in business, education, arts and culture. He is a private equity and property entrepreneur through his investment business Tricorn Capital Limited. He is also a Founder and Director of Motor Fuel Group, the largest independent fuel retailer in the UK with more than 900 stations across the whole country. Since 2017, he has served as President of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the largest business network in Scotland.

Tim also serves as Chair of V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum and the first V&A museum outside London, where he recently led a £1 million fundraising campaign to support cultural organisations in Dundee respond to COVID. He serves as a Non-Executive Director of Archangel Investors, a prominent business syndicate that invests more than £15 million per year in early-stage Scottish companies.

Tim has served as a Member of Court at the University of St Andrews since 2015 and sits on their board for the Eden Campus at Guardbridge.

Commenting on the announcement, Tim Allan, said:

“Contributing to the business, arts and culture sectors has been a privilege and I am thrilled to receive such extraordinary recognition. I am profoundly grateful for this honour and I thank my colleagues and peers for their unwavering support, guidance and expertise throughout my career.

“The interconnectedness between the economy, arts and culture will be an important enabler of our economic recovery and I look forward to continuing to play my part in supporting these efforts.”

Commenting on the announcement, Dr Liz Cameron, said:

“The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network are absolutely thrilled that Tim has been honoured with a CBE. This recognition is richly deserved and is testament to his selfless leadership, dedication and commitment to Scotland’s economy and to the arts and charity sectors.”

Commenting on the announcement, Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, said:

“Tim has generously brought his energy, business insight and commitment to culture to support V&A Dundee over many years, as well as helping others in business and the arts to thrive.

“He is a champion of creativity and of its potential as a catalyst for change, as well as being a passionate advocate of Dundee. We’re delighted he is receiving this much deserved honour.”