Entrepreneurial Scotland hosted its inaugural Exchange Members’ Day, bringing together more than 40 leaders from across its peer-support Programme, The Exchange, for a day of collaboration, reflection and growth.
Held at the historic Carlowrie Castle, the event united members from multiple Exchange boards for the first time. It was designed to give leaders the opportunity to step outside of their usual peer groups and engage with the wider network, combining structured learning, candid storytelling and informal networking. The goal was to deepen connections and inspire growth for leaders and their businesses.
The day opened with a keynote address from Colin Frame, CEO of Stellar Omada and winner of Entrepreneur of the Year 2025. Frame shared his journey of founding Stellar Omada in 2018 and scaling it into one of Scotland’s fastest-growing businesses, offering members a candid insight into the realities of leading through rapid growth. Frame reflected on the lessons he has learned since leaving a corporate banking career to start Stellar Omada, speaking candidly about the importance of culture, resilience, and surrounding yourself with the right people when scaling at pace. His story of building a company from a standing start into a major Scottish success resonated strongly with members.
A highlight of the programme was the ‘Crashed and Learned’ panel session, where Frame was joined by David McCutcheon, Co-Founder of Bullet Express, and Judith Thorpe, Founder of TTM Recruitment. The panel delivered an honest and engaging discussion on failure, adaptability, and the lessons that come from setbacks — sparking lively conversation among attendees.
The programme also included a series of facilitated workshops and experiential sessions led by respected business coaches and subject matter experts. Members learned how to unlock their peak performance state with Mary McClung, a former international athlete for Scotland and Great Britain who has since built a career as a performance coach. Tim Bradshaw, a former British Army Intelligence Officer and Sandhurst graduate, challenged leaders to rethink how decisions are made under pressure, blending practical exercises with lessons on resilience, clarity and decisive action. Dave Stewart and Fergus King provided fresh approaches on building high-performing teams and optimising business models for sustainable growth, while Jules Lancastle led a future-focused leadership session that helped members reflect, reset and plan their next steps with confidence.
The atmosphere throughout the event was marked by openness, energy and a willingness to share across industries. Leaders from technology, logistics, finance, professional services, and beyond came together with a shared commitment to growth, reinforcing The Exchange’s ethos that no business leader has to face their challenges alone.
The success of Members’ Day was made possible thanks to the support of Exchange members and sponsors: David Campbell of DVCP, a CubeMatch Company, who sponsored the keynote session; Donna Kerr of DMK Finance; and Steven McColl of Soho Wealth. Their contribution ensured the day delivered a rich programme of activity and meaningful value for all who attended.
Reflecting on the day, Sean McGrath, CEO of Entrepreneurial Scotland said:
“Our first Members’ Day has shown the power of bringing leaders together across The Exchange. The energy, the openness, and the willingness to share experiences was incredible to witness. Leadership can be a lonely journey, and this community proves that when leaders support one another, they unlock clarity, confidence, and growth — not just for themselves, but for their organisations too.”
David Campbell, Co-Founder of DVCP (a CubeMatch Company) and Member of The Exchange, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor this brilliant event. The Entrepreneurial Scotland community has played a pivotal role in my growth journey to date and I’m sure there’s plenty more to come."
The Exchange is Entrepreneurial Scotland’s peer-support programme, connecting ambitious founders, CEOs, managing directors and senior leaders into curated peer advisory boards of 12. Each board provides a confidential and trusted environment where leaders share challenges, test ideas, and gain practical support from others who understand the pressures of scaling and leading a business. In addition to regular board sessions, members gain access to private dinners with some of Scotland’s most influential entrepreneurs, bespoke workshops, and a network of industry experts and mentors.
Applications are now open for business leaders to join The Exchange’s seventh board, which launches this November at Carlowrie Castle. Entrepreneurial Scotland is inviting ambitious CEOs, founders and directors to apply and experience the same mix of challenge, support and inspiration that defined Members’ Day.
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