AS IMPROBABLE pairings go, it is one that has raised more than a few eyebrows in the corridors of power.
Jack McConnell, Scotland’s First Minister, has forged an unlikely relationship with Irvine Laidlaw, the multi- millionaire businessman who almost single-handedly bankrolls the Scottish Conservative Party.
The First Minister and the magnate came t
ogether in Easterhouse - the most high profile of Scotland’s deprived housing estates - at a meeting arranged by Julia Ogilvy, a member of the Royal Family and former managing director of a prestige jewellery company.
The issue under discussion was the bleak prospects for children who end up in care.
While there is no suggestion that Mr Laidlaw is suddenly changing his political allegiance, on Tuesday he will join Mr McConnell to play a key part in a landmark conference in Edinburgh, Support for Young People, which aims to stem the seemingly inalterable progress of thousands of children towards an adult life plagued by poor qualifications, job prospects, health and housing.
The aim is to encourage agencies including social services and charities, to make longer term and less disjointed interventions, which are likely to be more effective in turning lives around.
Mrs Ogilvy says of the first encounter between Mr McConnell and the Scots-born businessman, now based in Monaco with five yachts and a fortune believed to be around £750 million: "They met and got on brilliantly.
"I know this relationship sounds unlikely, but I wouldn’t say that Irvine is on the right of the Conservative Party, and they are both very interested in these children."
Mrs Ogilvy, who is credited with increasing the turnover of Hamilton & Inches sevenfold, gave up her post in April to give more time to her two children, non-executive directorships and charity work.
She said: "I was swanning through life in Scotland and suddenly realised what life is like for some others.
"A visit to Easterhouse changed me. I took Irvine there and he was beginning to think he could do something."
Mr Laidlaw, who made his fortune by creating ILR, the world’s largest conference-organising business, is expected to make a speech which will include an appeal for the many small charities to pool some of their administration so that they cut overheads and work more effectively together.
The full article contains 404 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
