Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie celebrates Inverness-based Swanson’s Food Wholesalers into employee ownership in the Scottish Parliament
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A Highland politician has highlighted the move by an Inverness-based food firm into employee ownership in the Scottish Parliament.
John Finnie, the Green MSP for Highlands and Islands, lodged a motion celebrating the transfer at food wholesaler Swanson’s which has been operating since 1991.
The firm supplies fresh locally grown produce throughout the Highlands and now also has depots in Nairn and Elgin.
Despite receiving an offer from a larger wholesaler, managing director Magnus Swanson decided to pursue employee ownership and more than 40 staff now have a stake in the business.
John Finnie said: “The transfer of an established and successful Highland business to employee ownership is to be celebrated and I congratulate everyone at Swanson’s on the momentous occasion for the company.
“Employee ownership can provide secure jobs and contribute to a fairer, more sustainable, economy by ensuring that every worker has a stake in their business and share in it’s successes.
“The fact that Swanson’s works with local producers and sells to independent Highland businesses means this is good news for the entire region.
“I sincerely hope that other businesses in the Highlands follow in the footsteps of Swanson’s, and that Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government are willing to support them in that journey.”
