I DO think we all can breathe a sigh of relief, now that the uncertainty created by the referendum is at an end.

I personally am delighted to put the nervousness of the last few months behind us and to resume our focus on business.

There has undoubtedly been some uncertainty on investment by the larger organisations and we now anticipate that businesses will move forward as will growth, given the future is now more assured, and hopefully we have opportunities for the hugely important UK market.

We all know that significant changes are still on the cards which will result in ensuring that many new powers will be sanctioned to boost Scotland’s competitiveness, unleash enterprise and attract further investment. We are now at the beginning of a national debate about economic devolution. Scotland started that debate, and now it’s time for us all to contribute new ideas about how our nations, regions and cities are run for the benefit of the entire country.

Scotland has decided that the way forward is to remain as part of the United Kingdom and we must respect that decision for all our futures.

Businesses don’t just create jobs, deliver services and generate revenues, they have the capacity to change lives and transform this great country of ours.

I personally welcome the outcome and now hope that our politicians of all parties can work together in bring our country once again together.