THE city's small firms need to learn to work together if they are to play a major role in the future of Glasgow.

The Commonwealth Games development, the M74 extension and the forthcoming Business Improvement District bids are going to create a lot of work and employment in the area.

But to make sure they grab their share, small firms will have to see each other as colleagues rather than rivals, says the new head of Scotland's biggest regional chamber of commerce.

Claire Dunning, president of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, believes a "Team Glasgow" approach has to extend to every organisation in the city, not just between the public sector and larger institutions.

Claire said: "This is an exciting time within Glasgow with a lot of potential work available through public procurement process.

"The games in 2014, the Clyde Waterfront programme, the development of the international and financial services district means there is a lot of work worth a lot of money that will go to tender.

"But to keep that money in Glasgow, small local firms need to think how can we join together, what complementary skills do we have?

"Firms need to work collectively, build consortiums and make their collective strength attractive.

"Different companies can join forces to make sure they tick all the boxes on what a job needs. Their size and flexibility can be their strength.

"What we have to do at the Chamber is help make that happen by helping make the process more transparent and help them bid for these contracts."

Claire, who runs a design firm in the city, is the Chamber's third female president and follows the outgoing Norman Quirk.

She will become the "face" of the Chamber, taking an overview of the organisation rather than the day-to-day detail which will be covered by a new chief executive when current boss Lesley Sawers leaves within the next few weeks.

Claire has arrived at an interesting time for the UK's chambers of commerce.

While those in cities such as Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh have prospered, others are in a state of crisis, with Dundee's collapsing last year.

Claire said: "I don't think I could have found a better time to become the president of the Chamber of Commerce.

"The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is healthy - financially and in terms of personnel."