Aberdeen lawyer on CBI’s first all-woman senior leadership team

Jennifer Young, a lawyer from Aberdeen, will provide the national business organization Confederation of British Industry (CBI) with a “direct link to the North East”.

Ms Young, managing partner of Ledingham Chalmers law firm, was formally appointed Chair of CBI Scotland at a dinner in Aberdeen this week.

As Chair of the group, Ms. Young joins the CBI’s Scottish Director, Tracy Black, as the organisation’s first all-female leadership team.

Deputy First Secretary John Swinney delivered a keynote speech at the Marcliffe Hotel event.

Keith Anderson, the Managing Director of Glasgow-based Scottish Power, also addressed the audience when he handed over the presidency to Ms Young after two years in the role.

Ms Young will take the chair in January.

Ms Black said: “It will be fantastic for the London team to have this direct link to the North East.”

She added: “The professional services sector, which includes lawyers, accountants, architects and other specialists, makes up a large part of business in Scotland and makes a significant contribution to the economy.

“Jennifer brings extensive experience in this sector as a managing partner of a growing law firm.

“Your experience of working and living in the North East, a region that will be an important part of Scotland’s economic recovery, will also be invaluable to CBI Scotland members.

“Having a company like Ledingham Chalmers that is growing and ambitious and led by an amazing woman is a great representation of what the CBI is about.”

Who is Jennifer Young?

Ms Young is a construction solicitor and has been accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in construction law for around 20 years.

At Ledingham Chalmers she oversees all aspects of the business including leadership and execution of strategy, internal and external communications, corporate governance, client management and team management.

She is also on the board of directors of the Northeast charity Charlie House.

Ms Young, who has been a vice-chair of the group for the past two years, said: “We are in particularly challenging times.

“However, there is still ample potential to offer Scotland a prosperous economic future with the support of CBI Scotland in its role as the leading advocate for our talented and committed business community.”

She paid tribute to Mr. Anderson, who is leaving the role after two years.

“I thank Keith for his work as Chairman as the business community emerged from the pandemic.

“Keith’s experience as Chief Executive of ScottishPower has been invaluable as Scotland and the rest of the UK look to renewable energy to meet their net zero ambitions.”

She added: “It is with some apprehension that I step into the role of Scottish leader. It shouldn’t be significant that this is an all-female leadership team, but it is noticeable. I very much look forward to the challenge of building on our strong platform.”