One aspect of John Swinney’s speech to the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland’s annual lunch in Edinburgh on Friday stood out.

This eye-catching feature did not relate to a specific policy measure.

Rather, the notable thing was the emphasis by the First Minister of the Scottish Government’s willingness to engage with the business community.

The speech came two days after Mr Swinney named his new Cabinet.

From a business and economic perspective, the big question on this line-up was about who would replace Kate Forbes in the economy role. The answer turned out to be Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s former Westminster leader.

Ms Forbes earned plaudits from the business community, including many who are no fans of the SNP, for her engagement with it and attitude towards it after becoming deputy first minister and Cabinet secretary for economy and Gaelic in May 2024.

So there is no doubt that Ms Forbes, who decided not to stand at this month’s Holyrood election, has left a significant gap to fill. Especially given that the relationship between business and the Scottish Government had become somewhat prickly by the time Mr Swinney and Ms Forbes took the top two posts in May 2024.

These relations appeared to take a lurch for the worse during the coronavirus pandemic.

And challenges in the relationship between government – at Holyrood and Westminster - and business are hardly surprising in a general sense given the difficult UK economic backdrop and resultant fiscal constraints.

Interestingly, a poll of Scottish business leaders by The Herald published last month signalled that the UK Government faces greater challenges than the Scottish Government on this front.

This poll, conducted in conjunction with the Institute of Directors in Scotland earlier this year during the SNP’s last parliamentary term at Holyrood, showed the Scottish Government is viewed as doing a better job on business and the economy than........

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