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Scottish diaspora fund collapses amid accusations of inept management

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Published Date: 10 August 2008
By Eddie Barnes
Political Editor
A SCHEME to raise millions of pounds for good causes from wealthy members of the Scottish diaspora has collapsed amid bitter claims of a lack of Government support and allegations of incompetent management.
The Scotland Funds was created three years ago with the aim of tapping into the goodwill of the millions of Americans who claim Scottish descent.

Money raised would have been handed over to projects in Scotland, but it folded last week, having ra
ised nothing.

The Funds' chief executive Dick Mungin spoke out last night to defend his record, amid accusations that the project had flopped because he and his team had failed to impress sponsors enough to persuade them to part with their cash.

Mungin said that the attacks were "facile", with his fellow directors insisting the project had been forced to close because of a lack funds. Mungin approached the Scottish Government last year with the idea of turning the project into a public-private partnership, but says he received no response.

The failure of the project has now turned into a bitter war of words.

One Scottish Government source said concerns had been raised because the Scotland Funds had shown no sign of actually being able to bring in money. "It wasn't very clear how and when that was going to happen. It isn't reasonable to fund that unless there is a clear benefit," the source said.

Another business figure who initially backed the project said: "It just didn't deliver – it's as simple as that."

Mungin, however, said: "High-profile projects such as the Scotland Funds often attract detractors. Criticism over delivery is in this case facile, especially given our scarce resources, and we note that none of the critics are prepared to be identified. Your readers can draw their own conclusions."

Fellow board member Derek Reid said: "The problem was one of inadequate funding. The private sector had not supported us to levels we thought were necessary, and the Scottish Government for their own reasons have decided also not to take this forward."

The apparent fall-out between the Scotland Funds and the Scottish Government is all the more embarrassing as its founder in 2005 was Jim Mather, now the SNP's Enterprise Minister.

A Government spokesman said: "As is the case with all funding applications, a robust business case must be provided demonstrating the merit of the project and linking to the Scottish Government's strategic objectives."



Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 09 August 2008 7:58 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
 
1

Sierra Foothills Scot,

Diamond Springs 10/08/2008 01:54:38
With respect to Jim Mather, I think it was a non-starter in the first place. And since it has produced zero results in three years, why is there such a fuss about shutting it down?

The Fund's chief executive Dick Mungin and his fellow directors claim all would be well if they were just given more money. Where have we heard that song before?
2

Hugo of Garven,

10/08/2008 07:52:37
The concept was reasonable.

However, it did not succeed so close it.
3

W Smith,

Middle East 10/08/2008 10:10:40
"Good causes", eh?

You mean like Islamfest?

1) Naive Jim Mather had a wee chat with Micorsoft recently thinking they would invest in Scotland without first checking out the tax regime and how it compares with other nations.

DUH!

Microsoft are already in Ireland (12.5% corporation tax) and Dubai (0% corportatiion tax).

2) Scots leave Scotland because they feel they get a better deal elsewhere.

Not unlike foreign companies that have had enough of backward, tax and aquander, Scotland.

They are less likely to hand over money to a SNP lead Scottish government that spends 6 million quid on gay right groups and another couple of hundred thousand pounds on Islamfest!

3) Jim Mather is a millionaire so the first question is 'how much did you stump up, Jim?'

How about short-arms-deep-pockets Connery?

They say a fool and his money are easily parted - well the Scottish diaspora are no fools.

Nice try Jim!

Whats next?

A new "partner" for the Zeebrugge ferry?
4

Linda,

Edinburgh 10/08/2008 10:43:32
W Smith.

Without independence we cannot reduce corporation tax.

Scots leave because the Union we are Branch economy with few HQs and R&D departments. Unlike Finland for example.
5

donald,

glasgow 10/08/2008 11:15:37
Started three years ago? That wouldn't be Labour cronies nit Eddie?
6

donald,

glasgow 10/08/2008 11:16:25
Started three years ago? That wouldn't be Labour cronies running it Eddie?
7

donald,

glasgow 10/08/2008 11:18:01
The diaspora should be welcomed and the Old Firm aliens kicked out.
8

livilion,

livingston 10/08/2008 11:47:21
3 W Smith,Middle East

>>How about short-arms-deep-pockets Connery?<<

Sir Sean donated his entire salary (well over $1 million) from his Bond film Diamonds Are Forever to the Scottish International Educational Trust which he co-founded.

From Connery's website:
>>
The Scottish International Educational Trust
22 Manor Place
Edinburgh EH3 7DS
Scotland

UK Tax exempt No: SC009207

The Scottish International Educational Trust (SIET) has funded millions of dollars for scholarships to young Scots and Scottish institutions. Your help is needed to continue the work of helping students and educational institutions in Scotland. The SIET helps talented and worthy individuals who need help to achieve their educational objectives.


Friends of Scotland
19830 Via Escuela
Saratoga, CA 95070

Tax ID Number: 32-0006211

This US charity, Friends of Scotland, was formed, "… to create, stimulate, and sustain an interest in Scotland and its history, traditions, and culture; to bring together people of Scottish heritage; to promote goodwill and understanding about Scotland among the general public; and to perform charitable works…" Sir Sean serves as the Friends of Scotland's Honorary Chairman.

All donations are greatly appreciated; however, for donations of $500 dollars or more, Sir Sean will send you a personalized signed letter of thanks.
<<

So what have you done except have a moan at folk who I suspect unlike you, have taken their fingers out and actually done something for the country?
9

Dick Mungin ,

Scottish Highlands 10/08/2008 12:20:04
I'd like to suggest that anyone who wishes to express a critical opinion of The Scotland Funds, and I'm happy to respond to any points raised, should not hide behind the cloak of anonymity.

The project achived much not least in hauling the diaspora issue centre stage in Scotland. Many of those who have jumped aboard the diaspora bandwagon in the last year or are just about to, and they know who they are, would not have understood what the word meant a few years ago still less been able to spell it.

So let's have an open debate on the way forward and why we need a diaspora engagment policy for Scotland.

Dick Mungin
CEO The Scotland Funds
10

Micjonger,

Peterborough 10/08/2008 12:48:40
Now,if only The Scotland Funds had included the magic word "islam" in its title or business objectives,there would have been an avalanche of cash & cheques from the SNP.
11

livilion,

livingston 10/08/2008 22:38:57
10 Micjonger,Peterborough

What do you have in mind?

"we are the christians, we hate the islamists. Come to think of it we hate jews, gypsies, folk with funny accents or anyone else who appears different to us!"
paraphrasing W.J.Connelly the 3rd: Are you just a wee jobby?

Talking about avalanches of cash and cheques, how are your London parties going about financing their next general election campaign?

12

Alastair McIntyre,

Chatham, Ontario, Canada 11/08/2008 02:53:33
I believe the real problem is that there is really not a route to the Scots Diaspora and so we tend to talk to the same people again and again.

There have been opportunities not taken up by Scotland such as the now defunct Family Tree Newspaper which reached some 500,000 readers in the Scots Diaspora, principally in America. For the want of around $3,000 a month (£1,500) the paper folded. The then editor, Beth Gay, who had built the paper from nothing to 500,000 readers over 15 years offered any organisation 8 pages in each issue for $3,000 a month.

I will say that here was a basis for Scotland to have a voice to the Scots Diaspora and if they'd supported it they could have doubled or trebled the readership with ease. That is how you start to reach the real Scots Diaspora and not just Sean Connery, etc.

My own web site gets 80%+ of its visitor traffic from outside the UK. It gets millions of regular visitors. Certainly no-one in Scotland has made use of it to promote anything in Scotland and yet it's the largest Scottish history site on the web.

There are routes to the Scots Diaspora but frequently people in Scotland believe they know better and try to make their own routes to them which fail time after time. The Scottish Banner and the Highlander Magazine are just two publications that are printed outside Scotland for the Scots Diaspora but are rarely used by Scottish organisations.

Also I have to say that people in Scotland are poor when it comes to International Communication. I've gone to quite a few meetings in Canada and the USA where Members of the Scottish Parliament or other Scottish organisations have gone to talk to the "local" people. To be frank I'm often left guessing as to why they came and what if anything they wanted. Many people I talked to after such events were also puzzled as to what the event was about although they appreciated the wee goodie bag they got for attending.

Should you want to learn more about the Scots Dia
13

Resolutions,

11/08/2008 11:56:29
Somehow this does not surprise me! This thing was set up by wee Joke and co was it not and with the revelations about MP expenses Glasgow East and now this 'independent' councillor, to mention 2, I suspect that the intentions may not have been 'quite clear'.

Alistair McIntyre - never heard of the Scots Independent?
14

Satch Campbell,

Queanbeyan, Australia 12/08/2008 23:46:44
I was back in Scotland at last year and at the beginning of this year and discussed with Mr Mungin the possibilities of working with the Austalian and NZ diaspora. The potential is huge. I believe his company was getting to the nub and importance of the Scottish upbringing. Away from tartan and haggis sentimentalism into the depth of the Scottish experience. An understanding that Hamish Henderson wrote about in the 50s and 60's showing Lowlands Scots and Gaelic having a vibrant intellectual tradition in their own rights. Australia demonstrates the strong Scottish influence with the unions here and also many Scots in the entrepreneurial capital area. I would cherish a link with the homeland and; though an Australian citizen, am still interested in what's happening or not in Scotland. What's up with public private venture, as long as its accountable, to keep going an eminently desirable and, down the line, beneficial venture to Scotland.
15

Dick Mungin ,

Highlands of Scotland 14/08/2008 17:09:44
I've discussed with Alastair MacIntyre the issue of communicating with the diaspora. He's been at both events we promoted in Toronto.

One of the key factors in my view is the continuity of communication between the homeland and people of Scots descent around the world.

That is precisely the reason that we in Scotland need a co-ordinated approch to the engagement process with our diaspora. Our Irish cousins are very good at this and have produced many positive results by building genuine relationships with their diaspora.

This includes increasing foreign direct investment into Ireland, promoting tourism into their country, using Irish culture the build the global brand of Ireland and providing a role for members of the diaspora in building a prosperous and modern Ireland.

The Irish have also given a voice to their diaspora in the new Ireland.

All of these are open to Scotland if the Scottish Government would take on board the Irish example.

That is one of the roles which the Scotland Funds has tried to play in recent years.

Great to hear from Satch Campbell also and he is on the button with his comments on our vibrant intellectual tradition. Our culture should be the very first means of engagement with the Scots abroad. That is again what The Scotland Funds has been trying to do via our work in Canada alongside the Traverse Theatre and some of the very best musicians from Celtic Connections.

Dick Mungin

 

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