Professor Brian Main, Director of The David Hume Institute said: "The Institute is fortunate that Mr Don Cruickshank, a leading authority in the field of regulation, is to present this seminar. It is anticipated that his talk will provide a platform for open and informed discussion concerning regulation and the impact of regulation in the UK, with particular reference to the financial and media sectors of the economy".

Don Cruickshank said: "Competition is the best regulator".

Don Cruickshank will give his views on the development of regulation in the UK based on his experience in the telecomms, media, banking and securities industries.

Paul Hally, Chief Executive of Shepherd & Wedderburn WS said: "Shepherd & Wedderburn is delighted to be associated with this seminar and the others in the 'Regulation' series. We are committed to maintaining or cutting edge involvement in UK and EU regulation in the financial services, utilities and communication sectors and also in wider industry. We are proud, therefore, to welcome someone of Don Cruickshank's stature and experience to our Edinburgh offices for this event".

Don Cruickshank - Chairman, London Stock Exchange

After an early career in finance and marketing project work with Alcan and consultancy with McKinsey, Don became Commercial Director of Times Newspapers and then General Manager of the Sunday Times. From there he became Managing Director (Finance, Administration and Planning) of the Information and Entertainment division of Pearson plc (which included the Financial Times, Goldcrest, Longman, Penguin and Westminster Press in its portfolio). In 1984 he moved to Virgin Group as Managing Director and in 1989 he became Chief Executive of the NHS in Scotland. In 1993 he returned to London as Director General of OFTEL until 1998. From late 1997 Don became Chairman of Action 2000, the UK Government’s Millennium Bug campaign and from 1998 Chairman of the Government’s UK Banking Review. In June 1999 he became Chairman of Scottish Media Group plc. His most recent appointment, in May 2000, is Chairman of the London Stock Exchange.

Notes to Editors:

The views that will be expressed by the speaker are his own and do not commit the Trustees or Officers of the Institute in any way.