Paula Rogers, Founder, Admiral Recruitment

“There is a real danger markets will plummet and will be slower to recover. In times of uncertainty and insecurity, corporate confidence remains low and the private sector is more cautious and less likely to commit to spending on capital investment and expansion so this will have a knock-on effect on recruitment. I do not believe there would be any real change in the so-called ‘special relationship’ between the UK and the US. Trump is no fool, and despite all the bluster, is a canny businessman. And remember, he already has sizable business interests in Scotland.”

Peter Searle, Chief executive, Airswift

“Trump did have a more positive view after Brexit on the UK as a whole. He is obviously ‘pro’ the UK. I think on a ‘just us’ basis it may not be such a bad thing if a trade deal comes in. I think it’s more about the global economy. I think the macro view will be one of uncertainty about what his policies are going to be and regardless of a potential trade deal, which will obviously positively affect the UK in the medium to long term. In the short term, the uncertainty will cause a slowdown in recruiting as people wait to see what his policies will be – both domestically and overseas.”

Brian Wilkinson, Chief executive, Gattaca

“Clinton promised a five-year $275bn (£221bn) programme to deliver infrastructure. Trump said he would spend at least twice as much and that it would be financed with debt. If anything like that amount of money is spent on repairing and replacing US infrastructure that will be a massive boost for their economy and it will be very good for us because we have just launched our Matchtech engineering infrastructure service line in the US. With regards to a potential post-Brexit trade deal with the US, we need some friends and allies on trade deals if there is to be a hard Brexit.”