Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) Celebrates Sector Milestones and Fiona Campbell MBE at Glasgow Industry Gathering

More than 70 industry professionals and colleagues gathered in Glasgow on Friday evening to celebrate the recent MBE awarded to ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell, alongside key milestones for the ASSC and Scotland’s tourism sector

The event brought together leaders from across tourism, including fellow MBE holders Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance; David Smyth, former Chair of the ASSC; Gordon McIntyre, Chairman and Founder of Hospitality Health; and Clare Bruce, Co-Chief Executive of Glen Tanar Estate.

 

Held in Glasgow, the gathering marked a moment of reflection on the ASSC’s impact over the past decade under Fiona Campbell’s leadership. During this period, the organisation has grown to represent more than 1,500 members and established itself as one of Scotland’s most influential tourism trade bodies.

Stakeholders recognised the Association’s sustained work in shaping legislation, securing regulatory reform and championing Scotland’s self-catering sector through periods of unprecedented challenge.

Since 2019, the ASSC has played a central role in influencing primary and secondary legislation, correcting flawed regulatory frameworks and delivering evidence-led reform across short-term let licensing, planning, visitor levy design, non-domestic rates and energy performance requirements. The Association has directly influenced major Acts of the Scottish Parliament, statutory instruments and national guidance, supported successful judicial reviews, and driven pragmatic change affecting tens of thousands of businesses across Scotland.

More recently, the ASSC led work on legislative amendments to the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act, helping deliver one of the fastest-moving Bills in Scottish parliamentary history. The Association also secured key protections ahead of the 2026 non-domestic rates revaluation, including a 15 per cent cap on annual increases and regulatory changes allowing legitimate operators back into the rates system. Alongside this, proportionate transitional arrangements were achieved for new Energy Performance Certificate requirements.

The evening also reflected on the ASSC’s pivotal role during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the organisation became a lifeline for Scotland’s self-catering sector. It provided extensive member support, co-authored national cleaning protocols adopted across the UK, and successfully negotiated the early reopening of self-catering accommodation – injecting an estimated £20 million into the Scottish economy.

During the crisis, the ASSC secured more than £30 million in emergency grant funding through six dedicated schemes, supporting small businesses, larger self-catering operators and exclusive-use properties. The trust built with members and government throughout that period remains central to the organisation’s work today.

Independent research commissioned by the ASSC has demonstrated that Scotland’s self-catering sector contributes £864 million in gross value added annually and supports more than 29,000 jobs – evidence that continues to inform policy debate and highlight the sector’s role within Scotland’s visitor economy.

Reflecting on her recent MBE and Friday’s gathering, Fiona Campbell said:

“Friday’s event was a deeply meaningful moment – not just for me personally, but for everyone who has stood alongside ASSC over the years. Receiving an MBE is a tremendous honour, but it reflects the collective effort behind our work.

We are a small, member-funded organisation operating in a complex policy environment, yet together we have delivered real change: protecting livelihoods, supporting communities and helping to shape a fairer, more proportionate framework for self-catering in Scotland.

This recognition belongs to our members, our partners and our team – past and present. Everything we have achieved has been driven by collaboration, evidence and an unwavering belief in the value our sector brings to Scotland’s economy and communities.”

The evening closed with a shared sense of pride in what has been achieved under Fiona Campbell MBE’s leadership