Governance at Forth Green Freeport is founded on strong principles of transparency, accountability and effective partnership working. Our governance framework is designed to provide robust strategic oversight alongside clear and well‑defined decision‑making processes, ensuring that Forth Green Freeport operates consistently with its mission to drive sustainable economic growth, attract inward investment, and support innovation and decarbonisation across the Forth region.
The organisation is overseen by a Board that brings together senior leaders and experts from both the public and private sectors, providing a balanced mix of strategic, commercial and public‑sector experience. This breadth of expertise ensures that decisions are informed by an understanding of economic development, infrastructure delivery, environmental sustainability and public accountability. The Board is supported by clear assurance, risk‑management and financial‑control arrangements, which provide confidence that public and private resources are managed responsibly, proportionately and in line with all statutory, regulatory and funding requirements.
Clear roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are embedded throughout the organisation, enabling effective collaboration with the Scottish and UK Governments, local authorities, industry partners and wider stakeholders. Decision‑making is guided by robust evidence, structured risk assessment and long‑term strategic considerations, ensuring value for money and strong alignment with national, regional and local priorities. Independent oversight is further strengthened through dedicated audit and risk arrangements, supporting continuous improvement and sound governance practice as the Freeport moves into full delivery.
This comprehensive governance approach supports inclusive growth, environmental responsibility and ethical business practices, while maintaining high standards of corporate integrity and accountability. By embedding transparency, clarity and strong assurance at every level, Forth Green Freeport is well positioned to deliver long‑term economic, social and environmental benefits for communities, businesses and the wider Scottish economy.
Statement from Dame Susan Rice
“As the Chair of Forth Green Freeport, I have the honour of being part of this unique partnership between successful companies and local government as, together, we embark on delivering this important initiative for Scotland”
Dame Susan Rice DBE is the inaugural independent Chair of Forth Green Freeport to oversee the delivery and governance of the consortium’s ambitious vision to deliver a sustainable growth strategy for Scotland’s industrial corridor.
Dame Susan is a highly respected chartered banker who has had a distinguished career in finance as the former Chair and CEO of Lloyds TSB Scotland, where she was the first female in Europe to lead a clearing bank, and Managing Director of Lloyds Banking Group Scotland.
Dame Susan has extensive experience in corporate governance as a member of boards across a wide range of public and private sector organisations around the UK and internationally. Dame Susan sits on the Board of the Office for Budget Responsibility and chairs the Global Ethical Finance Initiative, which is currently delivering the largest finance-focused campaign for COP28.
Complaints
Forth Green Freeport is committed to delivering a professional, transparent, and accountable service. We recognise that there may be times when you wish to raise concerns about the standard of our service, our actions, or any failure to act.
If you wish to submit a complaint, please contact us at info@forthgreenfreeport.com, or complete the form below. All complaints will be handled confidentially.
We will acknowledge your complaint within three working days and advise how it will be managed, including the expected timescales for a full response. Anonymous complaints will be considered where sufficient information is provided, although our ability to respond may be limited.
Full Business Case (FBC)
What is the Forth Green Freeport (FGF) Full Business Case (Published in 2024)?
The Forth Green Freeport submitted its Full Business Case (FBC) to both the Scottish and UK Governments in September 2024. Building on the Outline Business Case (OBC), which was submitted in November 2023, the FBC sets out the detailed evidence supporting the consortium’s bid for Green Freeport status.
The FBC is an important but technical document, produced to meet the requirements set by the UK and Scottish Governments policymakers at the time it was submitted. It is not intended to guide day‑to‑day activity during the Forth Green Freeport’s 25‑year operational period, this will be the role of the Annual Business Plan.
The timeline when the FBC was developed
The world, economy and markets are constantly changing and the FGF must be able to retain the flexibility to review its business activities every year and respond to any events that affect its proposals or the way it operates. This Full Business Case was developed over a two‑year period and reflects the political, economic and commercial conditions that applied at the time the work was undertaken.
The economic context has since been substantially affected by changes in inflation and unrest in the Middle East, which have in turn impacted on the approach to some commercial propositions. Similarly, some of the national and regional policy initiatives underway at that time have also evolved or changed and in Scotland there is currently an election process under way to elect a new Government from 8 May 2026.
Taking the above into account, it is important to consider that some of the data, ideas and proposals contained in this document, including some investments, have since been amended or altered via our regular business review process or superseded by new information. The FGF is currently in the early stages of a 25-year delivery programme and some proposals mentioned in the Full Business Case are still being developed.
Why are parts of the FBC redacted?
The Forth Green Freeport is committed to regularly publishing details of our activities on our website, such as this document and the minutes from our Board meetings. However, we have to protect commercial confidentialities, personal data, or information which might relate to negotiations and this is why a limited amount of information in this Full Business Case has been redacted. If the sensitivities related to these redactions no longer apply, we will also make these sections public at that point.
For a more up-to-date insight into the FGF operating priorities, Business Planning documents will be shared when completed.
Read the redacted FBC here.
Transparency
Forth Green Freeport Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee with a membership comprising public and private sector organisations. As a private entity, FGF is therefore not subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (“FOISA”). However, FGF is committed to acting transparently wherever possible.
Our website is the primary channel through which we make information publicly available. We aim to publish key governance and operational documents, including Board minutes and Strategic documents such as our Business Plan.
We will release information proactively where appropriate, while balancing:
- confidentiality requirements
- commercial sensitivity
- internal resource capacity
- public interest considerations
We will not publish documents or sections of documents considered confidential or commercially sensitive. Where possible, we may publish redacted versions.
To get in touch regarding this policy, please contact info@forthgreenfreeport.com
