The recent Global Financial Services Week highlighted the strength of the Scottish financial services sector. But it also served to highlight the benefits for any business of relocating to, or opening an office in, Scotland.

After speaking to business men and women working in Scotland, several themes emerged when it came to why Scotland is a good place to operate in.

1) Financial incentives
If you’re serious about Scotland, there’s cash on offer to help you make the move or set up shop.

2) Good entrepreneurial community
Boudiche co-founder Clare Thommen has been overwhelmed by the support given to her by Edinburgh’s entrepreneurs.

3) Educated workforce
Global Financial Services week participants spoke with enthusiasm about the quality of employees in Scotland, particularly the graduates.

4) … but cheaper labour than London
You’ll be getting London quality but not London prices

5) Better quality of life
Life isn’t so frenetic in Scotland, they tell us. While Scots are quick to point out they work just as hard as those in London, the pace of life is slower.

6) Reduced commute
Forget about the Underground or spending hours on a cramped First Great Western train, the horror daily commute from work to home is a thing of the past for most business men and women who have moved from London to Scotland.

7) Close to the country
Forget driving for upwards of an hour to reach the country; in Scotland you can be in the middle of the business district one moment and in the middle of a field 15 minutes later.

8) Good schools
Stories of parents masquerading as church-goers to ensure their sprogs get into the one good school in their area abound in London. Jennifer Bertie, BNP Paribas Glasgow fund accounting head, says she was spoilt for choice when it came to schools for her children when the family relocated to Scotland.

9) Cheap property
It’s an obvious one but you’ll get more bang for your buck when it comes to houses north of the border. Even in Scotland’s most expensive city, Edinburgh, prices are still far below London prices and there’s evidence Scotland’s housing market is doing much better than its London counterpart.

10) Still close enough to London
It takes little more than an hour to fly between Edinburgh or Glasgow and London, while the Flying Scotsman takes 4 hours and 30 minutes.

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