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Scottish Independence: 10 Business Leaders Who Want The UK To Stay Together

10 Business Leaders Who Want Scotland To Stay In The UK
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By 

Business reporter, Huffington Post UK

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ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Alex Salmond, Scotlands First Minister addresses a Business for Scotland event on February 17, 2014 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Scotlands first minister mounted his defence for independence following a weekend of pressure on whether Scotland could keep sterling as its AA currency or expect a smooth entry into the EU. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images

Scottish independence has been a divisive issue that has split opinion in the business world, as bosses decide whether to back first minister Alex Salmond or former chancellor Alistair Darling on the impact of Scotland breaking away.

Oil giant Shell has thrown its weight behind Scotland staying within the United Kingdom, with chief executive Ben Van Beurden highlighting the importance of "stability and certainty" in the decision.

The BBC reported van Beurden saying: "We're used to operating in uncertain political and economic environments. But, given a choice, we want to know as accurately as possible what investment conditions will look like 10 or 20 years from now. That's the chief reason we're in favour of the UK maintaining its long-established place at the heart of the European Union: it provides greater investment stability and certainty."

The oil company boss reportedly added: "It's for similar reasons that we'd like to see Scotland remain part of the United Kingdom."

Shell has joined a growing chorus among big business, famous entrepreneurs and household names wanting the United Kingdom to stay together.

Business leaders who oppose Scottish independence
PricewaterhouseCoopers(01 of10)
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PwC’s UK chairman Ian Powell said: “From a PwC perspective, we believe in a United Kingdom and we believe that the right thing is you do have as big an economic unit as you can.”
Lloyds Banking Group(02 of10)
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In its annual report, Lloyds warned: "The impact of a 'yes' vote in favour of Scottish independence is uncertain."The outcome could have a material impact on compliance costs, the tax position, and cost of funding for the group."
Barclays(03 of10)
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The bank said that Scottish independence would hurt business by "introducing potentially significant new uncertainties and instability in financial markets, both ahead of the respective dates for these referenda and, depending on the outcomes, after the event".
BP (04 of10)
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Bob Dudley, chief executive of the oil giant, claimed there were ''quite big uncertainties'' over issues such as currency, European links and tax regimes if Scotland voted for independence.Maybe that's why David Cameron felt happy to pose on a BP oil rig.
Standard Life (05 of10)
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The investment giant has threatened to move some its operations out of Scotland if voters back independence.
RBS(06 of10)
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Under EU law, the Royal Bank of Scotland would have to move its headquarters to England if Scotland broke away from the United Kingdom.
Power generator giant Aggreko(07 of10)
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Generator giant Aggreko, which employs around a tenth of its 5,749 worldwide employees in Scotland, warned that Scottish independence would create years of uncertainty and hiatus".
Duncan Bannatyne (08 of10)
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The Scottish gym club tycoon and Dragons' Den star tweeted last year: "We might be a small island but we are a great country made up of Scotland, England Wales & NI that should stick together as 1 & not separate"
Sainsbury's chief Justin King(09 of10)
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King warned that Scottish independence would see food prices rise.
Asda (10 of10)
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Asda chief Andy Clarke suggested that food prices would have to rise in an independent Scotland - unless the new administration softens the blow with a massive tax cut.
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