After an extensive search, Scottish Business Network (SBN), an independent international membership organisation for Scottish entrepreneurs and business leaders, is delighted to announce the appointment of serial entrepreneur Tom Thomas as SBN Ambassador to the city of Bangalore, the capital of India’s southern state Karnataka.
Born in Africa, educated in India and the US; Tom has founded several companies in both the technology and manufacturing sectors. His relationship with Scotland commenced some 15 years ago, and he now looks to use his connections and experience of building international businesses in India to support Scottish companies in what is one of the world’s most dynamic economies.
Bangalore (or Bengaluru), known as the “Silicon Valley of India”, is a city of over eight million people. The city is home to more than 60,000 technology led companies, including global players IBM, Cisco, HP, Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Goldman Sachs, Bosch and Hitachi, in addition to Indian founded International companies Wipro and Infosys.
The city is a major centre for aviation/aerospace (headquarters of HAL) and a world leader in advanced manufacturing (Bosch and Toyota), robotics and biotechnology (Biocon) besides several leading institutions of higher education such as the Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Management, Indian Institute of Information Technology as well as many engineering and medical colleges.
On his appointment Tom Thomas stated, “India is open for business for British companies. Karnataka is India’s largest software exporter, largest producer of aerospace and defense equipment, has the largest biotech hub, and is the largest producer of coffee in the country. Karnataka also hosts the highest number of startup enterprises in India. I am delighted to support any Scottish company interested in exploring market opportunities here”.
He added, “I have a great affection for the Scottish people, culture and way of life and I look forward to extending the same warmth of friendship that I have received from those Scots I have encountered”.
SBN Chair Russell Dalgleish stated, “India represents an incredible market opportunity for Scottish companies and to my mind is one more accessible to UK companies than many others. We have traditionally viewed India as an outsource location, but it should be considered a vibrant export market opportunity for business and one Tom can help us explore.”
SBN has announced plans to accelerate the identification and appointment of Ambassadors with the target of growing the current 12 International Ambassadors to 50 during 2021.