Lawyer to bring cities together

Laura Gordon takes up the city collaboration post next month

A corporate lawyer has been tasked with bringing traditional rivals Glasgow and Edinburgh closer together.

Laura Gordon, 40, will play a key role in helping the two cities make joint bids for major events and economic and transport initiatives.

The collaboration project aims to combine the strengths of both cities to help Scotland compete internationally.

The two-year £55,000 post, based in both cities, is funded by the councils and hosted by Scottish Enterprise.

Ms Gordon, who takes up the post next month, has worked in Boyds, a private law firm with offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

She is a director on the board of management of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, and is also active within the Law Society and the Scottish business and legal communities.

She said: "I am thrilled with the exciting opportunity that the position presents.

Closer working between the twin drivers of our economy is not an option but a necessity Stephen Gallagher Scottish Enterprise

"Edinburgh and Glasgow have got so much going for them. They are each vibrant and dynamic cities but, working together, they can be even greater.

"I believe that this project marks an important and significant new chapter in the future prosperity of the cities."

Steven Purcell, Glasgow City Council's leader, said: "I look forward to forging even closer ties between our two cities and reaping the benefits of even more jobs and opportunities for our citizens."

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Lesley Hinds, said her appointment represented a major injection of new talent into the project team.

Stephen Gallagher, director of Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian and chairman of the selection committee, said: "Combining the strengths of both cities is vital if we are to stay competitive in an increasingly global market place.

"Closer working between the twin drivers of our economy is not an option but a necessity and this appointment will provide a solid foundation to build closer, more productive relationships in the future."

The collaboration project is funded with £800,000 over two years from the Cities Growth Fund.