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Almost 90 years ago, a young woman made her way across the Atlantic, leaving behind her Hebridean home, family and friends to chart a new life for herself in the United States.  That woman, Mary Anne MacLeod, was the mother of the 45^th and now to be 47^th President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Trump’s Scottish roots are well enough known, but relatively little remarked upon in the country of his mother’s birth.

However, his astonishing political comeback has upended many assumptions and raises questions about what, exactly, happens next, from Washington to Ukraine and beyond.  For those of us in his ancestral homeland, the hope must be that, for all the talk of tariffs and trade wars, we can see a relationship with the UK and Scotland which is mutually beneficial.

So, rather than simply waiting to see what unfolds, or recoiling at what Trump 2.0 might mean for the world, we should instead aim to work with the grain of current American opinion.

America has elected Trump as its President for the next four years whether we like it or not. We can either look the other way, or we can seek to work with and influence his administration in as positive and productive ways as possible.

Trump came to power, first in 2016 and now once more, on the back of the votes of huge swathes of America which feel forgotten and left behind, perhaps none more so than in the key rustbelt states which he “flipped” from the 2020 election.

That disenchantment in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan, the backbone of working-class America, has been festering for at least a generation. It was Bruce Springsteen, ironically one of Kamala Harris’s celebrity backers, who long ago gave voice to that mood of decline and despair. His mid-1980s ballad My Hometown evoked industrial decay and the changes it wrought on those affected. When the song speaks of the “jobs that are going and ain’t coming back”, it’s a poignant and prescient nod to the economic changes which, over decades, help explain the rise and political resurrection of Trump.

It’s also a lyric and a sentiment which I can easily relate to. Coming from Ayrshire and seeing the way my home community, like so many others across west central Scotland and the rest of the UK in the 1980s, was devastated by the loss of traditional industries and the livelihoods they supported has given me an insight into how many working people in comparable communities in the United States must feel.

But that industrial devastation has also provided the spark which has energised me for the last two decades as I have embarked on a mission to revitalise and regenerate my home community and others like it.

Regeneration is fundamental to business and to society. Reinventing our economies and reimagining our ways of living and working is the key to providing fresh hope for each succeeding generation.

My mission, as an entrepreneur and a passionate advocate of urban regeneration and the communities it supports, is to take that message of hope and renewal, and share my experiences with those in other countries, including the United States, where I believe it is a message that will resonate.

My passion for regeneration is also why I believe we on this side of the Atlantic must look to engage positively with the incoming Trump administration which will begin, ironically, amid a wave of hugely positive economic indicators for the United States.  True, many people clearly have not felt that, as the effects of inflation eroded their pay packets.

But the fact remains that under Joe Biden’s administration vast sums of money have been invested in regenerative infrastructure projects and in green jobs which might previously have been lost to other countries.

Trump will now inherit the economic benefits of that investment in regeneration, and – whatever the campaign rhetoric might have been around the green agenda – he knows, as a businessman, that it would be counterproductive to try and unpick a success story.  The green economy is here to stay and is just one example of how those who are prepared to engage with the Trump administration must try to help influence things for the better.

It was Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, who penned arguably one of the earliest examples of an environmental conscience when he wrote “I’m truly sorry man’s dominion has broken nature’s social union.”

A Republican icon from an earlier age, Abraham Lincoln, was a devotee of Burns, a son of Ayrshire, where Trump now owns a thriving business. As an Ayrshire native myself, I am as keen as anyone to see that the age-old and enduring US-Scottish links, embodied in the incoming resident of the White House, bring benefits to these shores.

Trump is a disruptor, perhaps the ultimate political disruptor. Maybe that is why those of us who come from the business world, where disruption and renewal are integral to the mindset, are prepared to look beyond the fevered campaign language.

You don’t have to agree with all, or any, of Trump’s rhetoric to agree that it is better to work for the common good regardless of who occupies the White House.  If our political and business leaders are prepared to be pragmatists by engaging wherever possible, we can hope not only to help steer Trump’s second presidency in the most positive direction possible, but also to reap a share of the benefits, including here in Scotland.

View The Times article here. 

Exactly three years on from the historic pledges made at COP26 in Glasgow, the goals risk being undermined and the summit’s legacy becoming a tarnished one, it has been warned.

Leading businesswoman Dr Marie Macklin is expected to issue the warning as part of her keynote speech at the Women in Property UK People – Places – Innovation Summit today (Thursday November 14^th) at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.

The COP26 summit, hosted in Scotland in 2021, saw significant pledges made concerning leading financial institutions’ role in accelerating the path to Net Zero.

However, Dr Macklin, an entrepreneur who is passionately committed to urban and community regeneration, will use her speech today to highlight that more needs to be done, by governments and private sector organisations, to live up to the pledges made in Glasgow in 2021.

Speaking at the conference, Dr Marie Macklin is expected to say:

“The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) was the big headline at COP26 in Glasgow when 550 of the world’s leading financial institutions committed to reduce their financial emissions in line with the 1.5C benchmark.

“With $150 trillion of combined balance sheets, it seemed that the GFANZ had the scale of financial resources to address the world’s most pressing problems. However, three years later I do not see much evidence of these fine words trickling through to our most deprived communities.

“Granted, the GFANZ has now produced a comprehensive framework for the net-zero transition plans of financial institutions and companies. This transition means financing climate solutions and the growth of companies already aligned with net zero.

“But it also means going to where the emissions are and backing companies with credible transition plans to get emissions down. A Just Transition requires financial institutions to support the managed phase-out of stranded assets.”

She added:

“GFANZ also expects more than 250 transition plans to be published by major financial institutions this year. These transition plans will be most useful to decision-makers when reported in a consistent and comparable way across markets.

“However, as COP29 meets in Baku, Azerbaijan this week – and as the UN now reports that this year is set to be the first to breach the 1.5C global warming limit – we need to recommit to the pledges made at COP26.

“Exactly three years ago today, world leaders were leaving Scotland after attending the Glasgow summit.

“COP26 was Scotland’s chance to help drive solutions to the global climate emergency.

“It was a historic event for our nation – and a historic opportunity.

“But three years on, the legacy of COP26 risks becoming a tarnished one.

“Without the action needed – from governments and from the private sector – the pledges made in Glasgow three years ago will turn to dust.

“And so, the G20 should now mandate transition plans for large companies and financial institutions to help turn commitments into action and unlock the capital needed to decarbonise the economy.

“The groundwork on the international stage is evident but based upon my real, localised experience, governments need to do much more. They require to align financial regulation with our Net Zero ambitions by making transition plans mandatory with an emphasis on support for deprived localised communities.”

You can read Marie’s full speech from the People – Innovation – Place –  Summit, hosted by Women in Property at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on Thursday 14th November 2024 here.

Guests from across the globe gathered in Irvine earlier today to support XLCC, the British company building a world-class HVDC (high voltage direct current) subsea cable manufacturing facility in Hunterston on Scotland’s West Coast in North Ayrshire, which is a £1.7 billion project which will support 900 new jobs. This was the official opening of its new 12,500sq training facility in Irvine, with prominent Scottish businesswoman and entrepreneur, Dr Marie Macklin CBE, delivering a speech with hope and aspiration at its heart.

Dr Macklin has had a strong relationship with XLCC since 2023 when XLCC chose the HALO Enterprise & Innovation Centre, Kilmarnock, as its first base in Scotland for its management team and apprentices, making it fitting that Dr Macklin was invited to play a key role in this milestone day for the business.

During her speech, Dr Macklin focused on the need to support Scotland’s talented young people with a wide variety of opportunities, boosting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) roles in Ayrshire and beyond. The importance of all this coming together in order to support Scotland achieve its ambitious net zero targets, whilst boosting the local economy, played a key role in Dr Macklin’s address.

Commenting on the opening of the XLCC training facility in Irvine, Dr Marie Macklin CBE said:

“It was a privilege to be asked to officially open this fantastic facility by XLCC, in what is another exciting day for businesses and the communities of Ayrshire. XLCC will be supercharging the next generation of HVDC rollout and driving an SME supply chain for Ayrshire, Scotland and UK.

“With wider investment, extensive training and green jobs at its heart, I’m thrilled to support XLCC as we all play our part in driving forward the fourth industrial revolution, putting Ayrshire and Scotland at the forefront of the ‘Just transition’, not just for today but for our children’s children. I look forward to continuing to work with XLCC in the years to come and congratulate XLCC CEO, Ian Douglas, all his team and partners involved from the bottom of my heart.”

     .   

(Marie pictured with CEO, Ian Douglas and apprentices.)

The opening of the 12,500 sq. ft training facility marks a crucial milestone in XLCC’s development and was accomplished with the visionary support of Scottish Enterprise, who provided a £200,000 grant towards the fit-out of the unit with office, conference, and welfare facilities. The new facility will be XLCC’s main training hub for its cable joiners who will be based at the state-of-the-art factory in Hunterston which was supported in 2023 by North Ayrshire Council when planning was awarded.

Dr Marie Macklin CBE, prominent Scottish businesswoman and entrepreneur has announced a new initiative to support local pensioners in East Ayrshire, offering complimentary meals to those in need in the HALO RockMe Café in Kilmarnock.

Following the news that the UK and Scottish governments will be cutting the Winter Fuel Payment in the coming months, affecting older people across the country, Dr Macklin has continued her support for her local community with this latest initiative.

From 1 December 2024 to 31 March 2025, The HALO RockMe Café will be open to pensioners from Monday – Friday, with free meals available three days a week, with potential for this to rise to five days a week if there is sufficient demand. Early discussions are under way with a range of local East Ayrshire businesses who are interested in supporting the initiative and working with local providers to help those most in need.  A key initiative as part of Dr Macklin’s recently announced new direction and new mission for the future, Dr Macklin is committed to personally funding this project and utilising the Café space in the HALO to support those in need.

Dr Marie Macklin CBE said:

“I’m a strong believer in doing everything we can to support those in need, particularly during these difficult economic times. In recent weeks, I have been vocal about my feelings on the recently announced winter fuel and heating payment cuts by the UK and Scottish governments and the impact this will have on thousands of people already struggling to pay for basic necessities like energy, food and housing.”

“My team and I are determined to support the pensioners of East Ayrshire [and across Ayrshire] as much as we possibly can and we hope this newly launched initiative will be the start of this. We also hope it opens up further dialogue with the local business community, wider service providers and local government on how we can come together to support those in need during what is set to be another difficult winter for many out there.”

Marie joined the panel on ‘Scotland Tonight’ to discuss the pertinent topics of the day. The popular Current affairs show tackles the issues behind the headlines from a Scottish perspective, with live studio debate and analysis of all the top stories.

Hosted by broadcaster, Colin Mackay and joined by fellow panellists, Bernard Ponsonby and Miriam Brett, Marie shared her thoughts on the winter fuel allowance, and council decentralisation.

“A worthwhile evening talking about some the issues that I’m passionate about. It was great to meet both Bernard and Miriam, and thanks to Colin and the wider production team for their professionalism and support.” Marie.

The show was broadcast at 10:40pm on STV on Monday 9^th September and is available to watch on STV Player. Watch on STV Player

Marie was invited to join, Matthew Wright’s Sunday show on LBC to share her endometriosis story, and why she’s supporting the pioneering ENDO1000 research project that’s being led by Andrew Horne, Professor of Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Edinburgh. Director of the Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh.

Marie shared her own experience with the debilitating disease, its impact on women across the U.K and the economic argument that ‘something needs to be done’ to find a cure – supporting women’s health and overall wellbeing.

#TALKEndo1000💭

Listen to conversation… 🔽

After battling endometriosis herself, a British entrepreneur backs £1m study hoping to improve understanding of the disease.

Marie Macklin was on a Christmas shopping trip in Glasgow in 1997 when she collapsed in a store and was taken to hospital in severe pain. “My dad arrived and I told him, ‘I’m dying’,” recalled the businesswoman and entrepreneur.

Macklin, then 32, turned out to be suffering from endometriosis, a disease in which cells similar to those that line the womb grow elsewhere in the body and can cause severe, chronic pain. The type affecting Macklin was ovarian endometriosis (sometimes referred to as ‘chocolate cysts’). Macklin’s cysts were bursting inside her.

After an operation, during which Macklin went into cardiac arrest, she awoke to find she had been given a full hysterectomy. “Everything was taken away,” she said. It took months for her to recover.

She is now poised to take up the fight against the disease that so savagely altered her earlier life. Later this month, Macklin – who went on to found the HALO Urban Regeneration Company – will join scientists at Edinburgh University to spearhead a new project, called ENDO1000, aimed at tackling a disease that is now recognised to be a cause of widespread suffering across the globe. “It’s a chance to get even with endometriosis,” she told the Observer last week.

A total of 1,000 patients with endometriosis will be recruited to the project. Over a two-year timeframe, each woman will be asked to record their symptoms and any treatments they try, collect samples of blood, urine, faeces and saliva at home, and be given a smartwatch to monitor their symptoms, as well as the condition’s effect on sleep patterns and other aspects of daily life. Diets will be closely scrutinised and, in collaboration with international teams of scientists, researchers will try to pinpoint genetic and other risk factors that influence the disease’s onset.

Such insights into the causes and triggers of endometriosis are urgently needed, scientists say. The condition is now believed to affect up to 200 million women worldwide. Its most common symptom is chronic pelvic pain as well as pain with menstruation, and pain during sex, urination and bowel movements. Many sufferers also have trouble getting pregnant, while others suffer from severe fatigue.

“It is as common as diabetes in women in the UK,” said Prof Andrew Horne, of Edinburgh University’s Centre for Reproductive Health. “Yet in comparison we know so little about endometriosis. Nor do we contribute anything like the billions that we spend on diabetes every year.

“Once you have diagnosed endometriosis, there is not a great deal that doctors can do except try to alleviate the considerable discomfort that a patient often goes through. Surgery and hormones can often be used to treat them but in around 30% of cases these don’t work or have unpleasant side effects.”

In addition, scans and blood tests are largely ineffective in detecting the condition and it is usually identifiable only by carrying out surgery, said Horne. As a result, women wait on average about seven years before it is possible to get a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis.

Earlier this year, Horne moved a clinical trial of the drug Dichloroacetate for endometriosis patients into its second phase, in the hope it could offer a new treatment for the disease.

He decided to launch the project ENDO1000 last year in order to raise awareness of endometriosis, while also seeking to find new ways to detect the disease and to identify possible new treatments.

“I wanted to start with 1,000 patients that we would monitor very closely and realised I would need a million pounds to get started on the project. But I was getting nowhere. Then I contacted Marie Macklin. I thought she might give us £10,000 or something. But, incredibly, she came straight back to me and told me, ‘I’m not giving you money but I’ll give you my time to help you set up a campaign and raise £1m’. And that is just what she and her colleague, Frank Gormanley, are doing now.”

A crucial point for Macklin is the need to treat endometriosis not just as a health problem. It is also an economic one, she says. “It causes so much pain and discomfort for women and prevents them from working. It affects the economy, and it affects women’s rights,” she told the Observer.

Some studies have indicated that the condition runs in families, but no particular genes have been identified to date. “I think we will find both environmental and familial factors are involved,” said Horne.

Recruitment to the project will begin early next year, with the aim of running ENDO1000 for at least two years, he added. “Hopefully we will learn a lot and be able to start to make a real difference for those suffering from this debilitating condition.”

Link to article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/31/endometriosis-study-1000-women-wanted