Adam Hunter is the CEO and a founding member of Phlo Technologies Ltd, one of the UK’s leading digital healthcare providers.
Adam joined Phlo in 2019 as Chief Commercial Officer and has led the company's commercial operations, scaling it from pre-revenue to a high-growth business.
Phlo operates across both private and public healthcare markets: - Phlo Clinic – a direct-to-consumer digital healthcare platform - Phlo Connect – a B2B digital health infrastructure and services platform - Phlo Digital Pharmacy – an NHS online pharmacy service. Phlo provides an integrated, scalable, and technology-driven approach to digital healthcare.
The company has two pharmacy sites in Manchester and London, with its headquarters based in Glasgow. Currently, Phlo employs 124 staff across the UK.
Alasdair Gauld is the CEO of Flyte Cloud Services, a role he has held for the past two years. He leads a business committed to helping organisations streamline operations and accelerate growth by adopting Low Code technology and innovative digital solutions.
With a foundation in Product Design, Alasdair joined the family business, Cloud Cover IT, in 2019 to set up and grow its Digital Transformation team. Under his leadership, the team grew from a single developer into a multidisciplinary group of 12 specialists, delivering impactful solutions for clients across diverse sectors in both the UK and the US.
Before entering the technology space, Alasdair built his career in the Industrial Signage sector, progressing from Design Research Assistant in 2013 to Senior Designer. During this time, he managed high-profile projects for leading organisations such as Nationwide, Tesco, Crossrail London, and Heathrow Airport, gaining valuable experience in design innovation and client delivery.
Following the acquisition of Cloud Cover IT’s ITMS services in December 2023, Alasdair assumed the role of CEO at Flyte. His vision is to build on the significant investments in product development and professional services, driving Flyte’s growth by scaling its focus on established SaaS solutions and integrating AI technologies into everyday business processes.
Today, Flyte Cloud Services empowers organisations to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and scale with confidence. The team leverages the capabilities of Microsoft Power Platform, Azure, .NET, SQL, and React, ensuring clients stay ahead in an increasingly cloud-based world.
Alasdair is an experienced Accountant, Designer & Educator, with over 30 years experience in a variety of industries.
He’s not a man to sit about - both figuratively and literally. In his working life and as a competitive cyclist, he believes in living life to the max - whether it’s mind mapping an idea that’s come to him in the wee small hours or spending over 10 hours a week in the saddle. But his passion for what he does means neither feels like hard work.
Alasdair qualified as an Accountant with EY, Dundee, in 1992. He left in the Spring of 1993 to join a client, and has been running businesses, in a variety of sectors, ever since. A veteran of many startups, acquisitions & disposals, Alasdair was appointed as Head of Entrepreneurship at the University of Dundee, in 2014, where he led the design and development of the University’s Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Strategy. He left UoD in 2017 to create Ashton McGill, a design-led accounting & consulting firm.
Alasdair qualified as an accountant with ACCA in 1992, becoming a Fellow in 1997. Today Alasdair is also a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, where he regularly speaks and writes on accountancy-related matters.
Alasdair lives in rural Perthshire with his wife Joanna. They have two grown-up children Rebecca is a fashion designer in London; Andy is co-founder of Ashton McGill. In his spare time, Alasdair is a competitive cyclist & runner and enjoys spending time with family & friends.
Alistair Cameron is a distinguished figure in the entrepreneurial landscape, serving as the CEO and a foundational pillar of Scotmas.
His academic journey in microbiology at the University of Edinburgh laid the groundwork for a career characterised by innovation, technological advancement, and strategic leadership.
Alistair’s expertise extends across IT networking, sensor technology, and electronics, showcasing a multifaceted skill set that has significantly contributed to the growth and success of Scotmas.
His commitment to continuous learning and development is evident from his completion of the prestigious “Entrepreneurial Development Program” at MIT-Sloan School of Management. This program is renowned for equipping business leaders with cutting-edge strategies, leadership skills, and the entrepreneurial mindset necessary to drive significant impact in their industries. Alistair’s participation in this program underscores his dedication to fostering innovation and excellence within Scotmas and the broader business community.
Alistair, along with his wife Nicola, successfully scaled their home-based business in the Life and Chemical sciences sector to become a major local employer in the Scottish Borders, with Scotmas now exporting to 32 countries worldwide.
Through his entrepreneurial journey, Alistair has learned first-hand the ups and downs of running a business, and he firmly believes that investment in innovation and people development can lead to sustainable economic growth.
In addition to his responsibilities at Scotmas, Alistair serves as a Board member of South of Scotland Enterprise. This role highlights his commitment to regional development and his influence in shaping economic growth strategies in the South of Scotland. His insights and experiences in this capacity add a valuable dimension to his expertise, making him a compelling voice on topics related to regional economic development, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Alistair was honoured with the King’s Police Medal for Conspicuous Service in the 2024 Birthday Honours for his long-standing commitment as a volunteer police officer, known in Scotland as a Special Constable. This prestigious award is a testament to his dedication and unwavering commitment to serving our community.
Allan has a depth of experience operating at Board level in both public and private markets. He's held finance and operational roles across a variety of sectors including Financial and Professional Services, Industrials, Technology and Healthcare.
In a career spanning over 25 years, Allan has a wealth of experience operating at Board level across public and private markets, undertaking numerous finance and operational roles within a multitude of sectors including Financial and Professional Services, Industrials, Technology and Healthcare.
I’m a qualified Mechanical Engineer who moved early into full P&L accountability, spending nearly a decade running service-based oil and gas operations globally. That period taught me how to manage people, equipment, risk and margin at scale, and it gave me the confidence to build and run businesses properly.
I founded PPS Logistics in 2020. Since then, we’ve grown into one of the UK’s leading pallet network and multi-service logistics operators. In November 2024, I completed a distressed acquisition of Caledonian Logistics and led the turnaround and integration. That experience sparked a real interest in M&A as part of a long-term growth strategy, not just for expansion but for disciplined value creation.
I focus heavily on service standards, operational quality and EBITDA performance. I make decisions based on data and financial clarity, but I move quickly and adapt when required. My goal is to build a group of asset-backed logistics service businesses that combine strong physical infrastructure with intelligent automation and AI to improve performance, margins and customer experience.
Outside of business, I train most days and spend time in the sauna and ice baths. It keeps me grounded and consistent. I also have two daughters under three, so life is busy. Fatherhood has genuinely changed me. It’s given me perspective, sharpened my priorities and increased my drive to build something meaningful for the long term.
Andy Healy joined The TEFL Org with over 20 years’ experience in the publishing sector, building market leading, global consumer brands for Immediate Media and BBC magazines. There he headed up History, Science and Sport divisions as well as Digital editions and Podcasts. Using his expertise to grow the business, Andy is focused on delivering accessible, premium quality learning across international markets, particularly in the US.
Learn more about The TEFL Org.
Andrew McGill co-founded Ashton McGill, a Scottish accounting business, with his father. As commercial director, he strives to make it the go-to choice for growth-focused businesses in Scotland.
Living in Auchterarder with his wife and their sausage dog, Louis, Andrew maintains a healthy work-life balance. He stays active and focused through sports like golf, tennis, and running. Andrew's passion for food and drink allows him to express his creativity in the kitchen and he enjoys cooking for family and friends.
Barry started out client side in marketing roles in the booming technology industry in the mid-90s, before finding his niche as a media planner in an independent London agency.
Agency director roles followed from the early-mid 2000s in both London and Edinburgh, working on a variety of clients large and small, with experience crafting media strategy for national and international campaigns, from blue-chip brands to small businesses.
A qualified digital marketer for more than 20 years, he is now best described as a Multimedia Strategist. Barry founded the effectiveness-driven and award-winning media agency, Lane Media in 2016, where he now employs a talented team of 15.
Barry also hosts a successful Marketing podcast called Leading Conversations in partnership with the Marketing Society and spends most of his spare time in his tracksuit, coaching youth football teams, with more than 10 years coaching young footballers through the player pathway as well as being Chairman of his local club.
Ben is the Chief Executive Officer at West Lothian Leisure, an award-winning Scottish charity responsible for the delivery of sport, leisure and cultural services across West Lothian. With a wealth of industry experience spanning over two decades, Ben joined West Lothian Leisure in 2022 to steer the organisation through the pivotal next phase of its 25-year history. Previously, he was Director of Operations for Live Borders, a sports, leisure, and cultural trust in the Scottish Borders. Prior to this, Ben held notable positions in the private sector in London, such as Deputy Commercial Director and General Manager, before moving to Scotland in 2013.
As CEO of Illuminate AI, I specialise in working with C-suite leaders within UK Financial Services organisations to harness the power of Generative AI and Microsoft's business applications (Dynamics 365 and Power platform). Our mission is clear: transform complex business processes into intelligent, streamlined, and highly efficient operations. My background includes successfully scaling technology businesses through strategic partnerships, notably with Microsoft, and driving innovation through practical AI applications. I'm passionate about guiding enterprises through their digital transformation journey, turning disruptive technology into strategic advantages.
Bob Hair has been advising entrepreneurs and business owners in Scotland and the rest of the UK for over 30 years and through his experience in the legal, accounting, consulting and wealth management industries brings a pragmatic approach, expansive knowledge and significant experience to the table on behalf of the individuals and families he supports. Fiercely passionate about Scotland’s entrepreneurial eco-system and the importance of ‘paying it forward’ in order to enhance wealth creation in Scotland, Bob and his team at Cazenove Capital in Scotland actively engage and counsel entrepreneurs and business owners through generations. Bob is a keen advocate and supporter of a ‘virtuous circle’ whereby successful entrepreneurs contribute to the success of the next generation of leaders and wealth creators through support, funding and mentorship. The team at Cazenove Capital in Scotland is responsible for managing over £2.5bn of funds for around 300 families, many of whom are proactive in their support of this virtuous circle and are committed to growth on the basis that is it easier to “do more with more”.
A lifer in the alcoholic beverages industry, Brian has worked for Diageo, Edrington, Beam Suntory, Distell and Angostura in his corporate career before starting various ventures including a pretty disaster first attempt in 2012 which ended badly in 2019! Having learned more from the things that went wrong than went right, Brian now owns a number of largely successful businesses in the alcohol beverage and property spaces. Cane & Grain International is a blender and bottler of Scotch Whisky, present in around 15 countries around the world specialising in private label, single cask whisky bottlings. With almost zero business in the UK, it’s main markets are Taiwan & China. RumPro is a (future) bottler of aged, single cask world rums. At the moment, the rum is sleeping in cask and not ready to be bottled but it will be in or around 2026. Alexander David & Co buys and refurbishes flats in Student areas of UK cities. We aim to add value to well located properties through refurbishment and adding additional bedrooms to the apartments. With one recent successful exit under his belt, Brian is looking to build and exit more businesses in the future including those above.
Bryan was born and raised in Lanarkshire and has called Glasgow’s West End home since 1997. He is married to Morven and together they have two teenage sons, Gus and Ross.
A graduate of the University of Glasgow, Bryan is recognised as a leading Commercial Real Estate lawyer with over 20 years’ experience at some of the country’s top-performing law firms.
He has recently started running his own business under the umbrella of the international law firm gunnercooke, where his focus is on growing his team and scaling his business.
A founding Trustee of the philanthropic organisation Awesome Glasgow, Bryan is passionate about giving back and helping others to succeed. He has mentored through the Social Mobility Foundation and now supports Collective Communities CIC in Glasgow’s East End.
When not spending time with his family, Bryan can usually be found watching a game of rugby, cooking, or enjoying good food and wine.
I am the chief business development officer for Cleaner group. My job is to set strategy and direction for the business whilst enabling the sales teams and seek from C suite level.
Caroline Barrett is Managing Director of the Omni Group, who are niche contractors specialising in the golden thread of fire protection and associated trades. Caroline is passionate about innovation and diversity within the construction and allied industries. Beyond business, Caroline focuses on family as well as investing in community projects and charities, believing that true success is measured by the positive impact left behind.
I’m the Managing Director of Mearns & Company, a multi award winning firm of Chartered Financial Planners and Employee Benefits consultants based in Edinburgh. I’ve worked with Mearns & Company since 2000 and was appointed as Managing Director in January 2018. Mearns & Company achieved Platinum Investors in People status in 2018, and was the fourth financial services company in the UK to achieve this level of accreditation. The firm has also been awarded the Gold Standard for Independent Financial Advice ten times since 2009. In October 2022 I completed a successful management buy-out of the firm along with my three fellow Directors of Mearns & Company.
I’m also a Director of Lightbox Reward, an Edinburgh based FinTech specialising in Employee Benefits communication technology. Lightbox Reward enables employers to offer flexible benefits to their workforce. By using the Lightbox platform employers can effectively 'shine a light' on their employee benefits provision to help to engage and retain employees.
I have two other board advisory positions, one with APR LLP, which is a firm of actuaries based in Edinburgh and London, and the other is with Investors in People’s Scottish advisory board.
In the coming months I will also be launching a new business with my husband Dylan, in Portobello, Edinburgh where we live. This will be a licensed café selling seasonal snacks, drinks and a curated selection of art.
I have a passion for teamwork, staying true to values and I believe strongly in the importance of a positive organisational culture. I love learning, coming with new ideas and thinking of different ways to approach problems and opportunities.
Learn more about Mearns & Company.
I am the director of CTD Scotland Ltd, a leading commercial fitout contractor known for delivering high-quality office, bar, hotel, and retail interiors. I began my career as an apprentice joiner at the age of 15, becoming fully qualified by 20 and quickly rising to the role of site supervisor by 21. In 2009, after being made redundant during the financial crisis, I founded CTD with a drive to build something lasting and people focused. Im a highly motivated leader, I am passionate about not just the business, but also the people behind it. I believe that a strong team and a supportive environment are key to long-term success. Outside of work, I enjoy golfing, hitting the gym, and following football. Most importantly, I value quality time with my wife and our four-year-old twin boys, always striving to maintain a healthy balance between business and family life.
Chris Moore launched Borland in 2016, establishing it as a property investment and development company focused on building and scaling a diverse portfolio.
Since then, Chris has aquired and operates a range of assets including hotels, aparthotels, luxury holiday lets, residential property, and office space, primarily across the west coast
His approach centres on identifying underperforming assets, enhancing their value, and building integrated businesses that drive long-term growth within the property and hospitality sectors.
The business has further expanded into a wider group of complementary companies that support multiple aspects of the property lifecycle. This includes Ready Furniture, a furniture supply company serving landlords, developers, and hospitality operators, and Voyage, a hospitality and short-term rental management company.
The company has plans to expand to America over the next 2 - 3 years.
I’ve been a filmmaker in various capacities for 32 years. My company, FixFX, is an extension of those skills, but it wasn’t the most obvious one to me.
I started out as a floor runner - teas, coffees, sweeping, traffic control and a number of other roles that I had no business doing and were sometimes just downright dangerous. But it was a great fun thing to do while I studied painting at Chelsea College of Art and got me deep into the film and tv industry in time for graduation.
I quickly progressed at that point from runner to director. I started with small films about business. Then slowly worked up to directing a feature film.
Along the way I was recognised with awards around the world, but as an old friend used to say “awards don’t pay the bills”.
While making my feature film I helmed a small visual effects dept. Another friend noted how good I was at it and suggested I start a VFX company in Scotland. The idea coincided with a funding initiative to provide training for young people interested in the film industry, which appealed to me as I’m also a trustee of a charity that helps create opportunities in the screen trades.
I applied and used the money to start a company. 8 years on we’ve weathered some storms, but we now work on shows for Netflix, Disney, Sony Pictures, Amazon MGM and many others. I’m always hopeful the future looks rosy while preparing for the worst.
I still indulge my passion for filmmaking, photography, art and increasingly fly-fishing.
Will I direct again? Maybe. I have some projects in development, but running a company keeps me very busy.
Learn more about Fix FX.
Hi, I am Conor Lavery, Director of Atlas Winch & Hoist Services, a specialist plant hire business with a core focus on winch hire and supply. We proudly support a wide range of sectors including Renewables, Utilities, Construction, Oil & Gas, and Marine, among others.
We operate from two depots — our head office in Biggar and a southern depot in Essex — and currently employ 32 team members across both locations.
I'm set to complete the ScaleUp Scotland programme this year, and I’m now really excited to be joining the Exchange Programme. I'm looking forward to connecting with fellow leaders, learning from each other, and sharing experiences as we continue to grow.
Craig is the CEO and Founder of the award-winning EdTech company, Giglets Education, which has recently rebranded to ILT Education UK. His entrepreneurial journey began in Ayrshire at Loudoun Academy, where he participated in the Young Enterprise Scotland Company Programme, leading to the creation of Giglets. At just 18, Craig became the Chamber’s youngest member.
He later attended the University of Strathclyde, earning an Honours degree in International Business with Marketing. In 2011, he founded Giglets Education, which supports over 120,000 pupils and teachers with its engaging platform of curriculum-aligned online literacy resources and multilingual texts. In March 2022, Giglets was acquired by the Swedish EdTech firm ILT Education in a multi-million-pound private equity-backed deal. ILT currently supports over 5 million children across seven countries.
Craig continues to lead the UK operations of the business and joined the company’s Global Leadership Team in August 2024. In addition to his role at ILT, Craig holds equity investments in several ventures, including Ayrshire-based Connekt EV, where he proudly serves as a Non-Executive Director.
Craig, 35, resides in Ayr with his wife Pamela and their 18-month-old daughter Florence. He has been a Director at the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce since 2018, serving as Vice President from September 2022 and becoming President in September 2024. Since 2012, Craig has been a Charity Ambassador for Young Enterprise Scotland. He also dedicated more than 20 years to the RAF Air Cadets, including seven years as Officer Commanding at 327 (Kilmarnock) Squadron before retiring in June 2023.
DVCP was founded in 2021, since then we’ve worked with 15 clients across a number of sectors but predominantly in Financial Services. We work with both specialist and high street names, helping organisation tackle challenging IT, regulatory and strategic challenges. At the end of 2024 DVCP’s revenue is forecasted at £3.5 - 4.0M with multiple multiyear projects in flight, allowing for strong growth forecasts going into 2025.
DVCP’s Board is complimented by our Chairman Chris Davis (former COO at Co-op Bank, Ulster Bank and Williams & Glyn) and INED Chris Sullivan (Former Deputy CEO at RBS and CEO of RBS Corporate Bank).
Between 2022-23 we undertook, and successfully completed, the first solvent winddown of a bank in the UK, working hand-in-glove with the UK regulators to define and design a playbook for exiting the UK market. This framework was subsequently issued to, adopted by, all UK regulated banks.
DVCP is built on my personal area of expertise in the undertaking of multi geography, challenging organisation and technical restructuring projects. Most notably I lead the global team designing and implanting Brexit for Morgan Stanley (via the establishment of a new German entity) with a career spanning one and a half decades of complex change and transformation programmes in Banking, Oil & Gas and Public Sector.
On a personal note, I’m originally from Eriskay and South Uist and now live in Glasgow with my wife Ciara (founder and owner of Vets for Pets Dumbarton), Saoirse (8 years old) and Angus (5 years old) as well as numerous adopted cats, dogs and assorted reptiles (being married to a vet comes with draw backs!)
I’m a member of a number of professional organisations and bodies but as a family we’re most proud of the work we do with the Celtic Foundation, giving a helping hand to create opportunities for our society’s most vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups.
David is a Scottish entrepreneur with a talent for turning big ideas into profitable realities—and for making it look far easier than it actually is. As the owner of successful UK business’s, he blends sharp commercial instincts with a strategic mindset that’s always three moves ahead.
David brings clarity, momentum, and a healthy dose of dry humour to every project. He’s equally at home negotiating deals, analysing financial structures, or debating the merits of Spanish sunshine versus Scottish weather (Spain usually wins).
Driven, pragmatic, and relentlessly forward‑thinking, David is building a lifestyle that balances smart business decisions with the freedom to enjoy the things he loves—golf, travel, and the occasional well‑earned whisky.
David McCutcheon started Bullet express in 1990 with one van and £22.00 government grant . From then bullet has grown from a small van courier business into one of Scotland’s largest logistics suppliers covering all modes of transport worldwide . Bullet has grown to over 170 staff over 4 sites with over 150 trucks and trailers , 40,000 stored pallets and over 100 containers at sea.
During the 35 years of growth Bullet bought 3 of the sites , 2 of which are still owned by David and his business partner to date and rented back to the new owners.
In 2020 David and Gary decided to retire so set about increasing turnover and Ebitda to draw attention. They brought in a new Md and prepared the company for sale, this was completed in October 23.
David then after a short period started a new Selfstore business in Motherwell with over 150 units for rental which now sits at over 80% occupancy.
David had sat for 5 years on the Road Haulage association and is currently on the board of the UK warehouse association.
My name is David Sutherland, and I am the Director of Cruinn Consulting Ltd, a recruitment and talent strategy consultancy based in Glasgow. Since founding the company, I have led its growth by expanding the team from 2 to 10 and launching Cruinn Projects Ltd, resulting in a 450% revenue increase within the first year. Our core services focus on executive search, recruitment advisory, and bespoke workforce solutions, with a particular passion for technology sectors such as AI, machine learning, and robotics.
I began my career in sales and business development and have held senior roles at companies like Hays Technology, where I managed a team of 11 consultants and generated over £3.2 million in annual revenue. My experience spans various sectors, including automotive, recruitment, and consulting, where I have consistently driven revenue growth and led high-performing teams.
In addition to Cruinn Consulting, I serve as a Non-Executive Director at Drumchapel Citizens Advice Bureau, where I lead the business development sub-committee, helping support the local community.
Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor activities, including walking and traveling, and have a passion for learning musical instruments. I’m excited to be part of the Entrepreneurial Scotland Programme, as I look forward to connecting with like-minded leaders to exchange experiences and ideas, particularly around the challenges of scaling businesses while maintaining quality and culture.
David Wade – CEO, Enerpro Group Father to a wonderful 5-month-old daughter and husband to Shelley, I balance a busy professional life with time spent with my family, travelling, snowboarding, and riding motorbikes—pursuits that keep me grounded, focused, and motivated. I began my career as a mechanical engineering apprentice in the nuclear industry, where I learned the value of precision, discipline, and safety from the ground up. I later transitioned into oil and gas, gaining several years of offshore experience before moving onshore to lead major upgrade projects. These formative years gave me a deep understanding of both field operations and project delivery at scale. As my career progressed, I rose through the ranks and was eventually headhunted to launch a new division at a competing port—an opportunity that tested my leadership skills and gave me a taste for building something from the ground up. That experience lit the spark that led me to found Enerpro Group in 2015. Enerpro was built with one clear goal: to offer a better, more complete service to clients across the energy sector—from project planning through to execution—with a focus on integrity, reliability, and high performance. Today, we deliver multi-disciplinary engineering and construction solutions with a highly agile team, focused on safety, results, and long-term client relationships. I believe in building businesses where people take pride in their work, where leadership is earned, and where doing the right thing always comes first. These values remain the foundation of everything we do at Enerpro Group.
David Wray is the owner and Managing Director of Grease Monkey.
With a background in project and programme management consultancy, he has built, pivoted and grown the business to become what it is today.
David has a BSc in Building Engineering and Management and is keen on most outdoor sports.
I am the Managing Director of Forte Engineering.
My background is in electrical and mechanical engineering for the rail sector, progressing through various engineering roles to holding non-executive director roles within large multidisciplinary contractors.
In 2017, I challenged myself to establish my own company, taking best-practice from the large organisations which I worked in and instilling it into the foundations of Forte Engineering. Forte Engineering is a rapidly expanding SME specialising in electrical, mechanical, design, telecoms, civils & construction engineering for the rail and metro sector. I possess a clear sense of strategic direction and the ability to win support, evidenced by the continued growth of Forte Engineering, in relation to both headcount and profitability. The Forte Engineering team has grown from 8 to 33 people with a projected turnover in excess of £6m by the end of this year.
As well as acting as Chief Operating Officer of the firm, Donald is a partner in our Insolvency practice.
Donald provides companies and individuals with debt and insolvency advice. He has an excellent reputation within the insolvency marketplace in Scotland and is known for his wide-ranging skillset and pragmatic approach to obtaining a solution to complex issues.
Donald is a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner, and a Fellow of the Insolvency Practitioners Association. A keen cyclist and outdoor lover, Donald is also a whisky connoisseur and the founder and host of the firm’s 168 Whisky Club.
Donna Kerr qualified as a Commercial Banker with extensive credit/industry knowledge & experience financing businesses & property across all sectors. During her her career in banking she has lead teams across various business areas and introduced new routes to market for various banks and had accountability for loan books up to £2.5bn during her banking career.
Having held senior leadership posts at Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland, Blackhorse Finance, RBS and Clydesdale Bank and Cambridge & Counties Property Bank it was time to take a new direction & Donna launched DMK Finance in January 2022. A unique passion for finance and unrivalled customer service the ethos of DMK Finance is that it is a unique boutique commercial brokerage that offers the old-fashioned type of relationships like those clients once had with their banks before digitalisation of banking operating models.
To date DMK Finance has aided clients obtain finance from £100k to £50m loans and to date has delivered multi million loan transactions from business, asset & invoice finance facilities and supporting structures for property investors and businesses for bridging/development/investment loans. Donna is a fully FCA Regulated and Gold Intermediary and her clients receive help from the whole of market access.
Learn more about DKM Finance
With close to 20 years’ experience in the construction industry, I began my career as a Quantity Surveyor and now serve as Managing Director at Lochlie Construction Group, a company I co-founded in 2014. My early career involved part time study while working in the industry, which gave me a solid grounding in both the academic and practical sides of construction. I went on to work in commercial roles across the UK, Middle East and Asia, gaining experience on large scale developments and learning the value of adaptable, solution focused thinking. These experiences helped shape my approach to leadership and delivery, especially in how I work with clients, consultants and delivery teams. In 2014 I helped establish Lochlie Construction Group. Since then we have grown steadily, focusing on delivering well considered, commercially sound projects while maintaining strong working relationships with clients, consultants and our wider supply chain. I hold an MBA from the University of Strathclyde and a BSc Hons in Quantity Surveying from Glasgow Caledonian University. As a Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors MRICS, I am committed to maintaining high professional standards and enjoy helping others progress within the industry. I am looking forward to getting involved with Entrepreneurial Scotland, connecting with peers, exchanging ideas and continuing to learn from others navigating similar challenges and opportunities.
Eddie Black, even though he classed working paper rounds, milk rounds, odd jobs for the neighbours etc… Its not what is meant by a professional Bio. It is relevant and the beginning of mindset.
He lives by the words “Problems are the opportunity and there is always a solution.”
Eddie spent 20yrs at sea, first as a deckhand then engineer and trawler captain. Eddie had a reputation as an extremely high earning skipper, running the most efficient operations at sea 24/7 in the harshest conditions. It was a school of hard knocks and where he honed is skills as a solutions person. The last 6 years of his sea going life Eddie embarked on a unique way of making more money for himself. He used his experience and skills as a turnaround specialist at sea. Sought after by failing vessels/owners desperate to turn their businesses around. Eddie successfully did this on 5 separate occasions making these failing businesses into multi-million pound operations, essentially creating efficient and advanced factories at sea.
October 2009 Eddie took a huge gamble leaving a highly rewarding career at sea to establish a business on dry land. Eddie and Nicola Black founded Eco-Genics a Dry Ice Cleaning business based in Annan in 2010. Eddie quickly realised where the market was at and rose to the very top of the industry gathering Blue Chip clients as he went along the Journey. In 2014 Eco-Genics, named ‘Scotland’s most innovative company’. Dry ice was an entry to what has evolved into the Eco Group as of today. Eddie has always been able to look for the next solution and has the ultimate eye for innovation. Eddie’s clients realised that he had an innate ability to be able to offer solutions across all industry.
10 years on Eco operates under the banner Team Eco and it touches almost every industry and sector. In 2019 Eddie was asked by a world-renowned Blue-Chip client to design, build, and operate one of the most advanced systems in the world. Confidentiality, Traceability and ensuring that they meet strict demand was the criteria. This is testament to years of trust and the ability to deliver against strict criteria. Eddie has assembled an amazing team that take care of the day to day allowing him to begin the new era to go global.
Eco are now involved in bringing innovative ideas, concepts, early techs to the marketplace via the Sirolli Black Innovation office.
Eddie and his team are now tackling some of the globes’ s megatrends and sustainable goals starting with the built environment/construction. Using their experience in maritime, aviation, automotive and advanced materials. Vaso Build is the next embarkation, bringing a new and completely fresh approach in how to manufacture at seriously high volumes and with precision. Our manufacturing system will produce structural panels made from recycled glass. Enabling a new era of construction. It is a paradigm shift that Eddie genuinely believes will positively impact the globe.
Elizabeth Fairley is a passionate co-founder of Talking Medicines, driving the development and commercialization of the data intelligence platform, Drug-GPT. Her expertise lies in leveraging data to empower agencies in the pharmaceutical sector with actionable insights. Elizabeth is dedicated to transforming patient outcomes through data-based predictive health, decoding patient/HCP/KOL/DOL language to uncover meaningful experiences. As a leading industry voice, she shares her knowledge on data mining, ethical data use, and the value of conversational data in understanding the patient experience. Elizabeth has completed an accelerated MBA at Babson (Saltire Fellow, Boston, US), holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Cambridge, and a BSc (Hons) in Genetics from the University of Aberdeen. She is committed to diversity and fostering young talent, with a focus on innovation, trust, and transparency. As an entrepreneur, Elizabeth has founded various successful enterprises, including her own life sciences consultancy business.
Talking Medicines is revolutionizing healthcare marketing using Advanced Data Science, Curated LLMs and Artificial Intelligence to unlock strategic intelligence within HCP and Patient Conversational Data. Delivered to customers through a natural language interface Drug-GPT winner of PM360 Artificial Intelligence/Data Analytics Award 2023.
Having been educated as an engineer at the University of Strathclyde and having started working life in an American corporation, I have always had the ambition to secure my own independence by running my own business. To achieve that, I took up the Saltire Fellowship, which gave me an amazing opportunity to study at Babson College in Boston (US), together with a fantastic cohort of future Scottish entrepreneurs, in 2013-4. Upon graduating, I took on consulting jobs, while simultaneously looking for a business to buy.
To this end, I raised funds to purchase The Mobility Centre in East Kilbride in September 2019 - just in time, right before the COVID pandemic hit, which I was lucky to survive both professionally and personally.
Concurrently, I am serving as a chair of ‘’Flexibility Works’’ charity, supporting employers to develop more flexible workplaces for their employees. As both a businesswoman and charity board member, I always strive to bring together my academic experience and entrepreneurial spirit to identify simple solutions to complex issues. Ultimately, I enjoy helping people to untangle thoughts and ideas.
Ewan is the Director of Galley Proof Ltd, a group of print companies including brands such as Alliance Print Ltd, Xcalibra Ltd, Maxwell House Printers and JFK Associates (UK) Ltd.
Ewan's first attempt at entrepreneuring was a business importing Moroccan crafts and textiles. It transpired that he was not very good at sales and marketing. And so (naturally) he decided to embark on a career in sales and marketing.
What followed was a CIM Professional Diploma and an opportunity to run what turned out to be a cutting edge digital marketing project for an international school. Over the course of three years the school reached capacity, it was forced to open a waiting list for the first time in its 30-year history and...Ewan's services were thus no longer required.
Following a stint at a marketing agency Ewan took up a role as Head of Marketing at Harviestoun Brewery where he got listings with M&S and Amazon UK, won several awards and once sold £100,000 of beer with a single email. Often operating far beyond his brief, he poked his nose into sales, finance & operations, gradually realising that he just really, really liked the business of business. Which led very neatly to The Saltire Fellowship and then a role heading up the commercial side of FinTech startup, Float.
In 2022 he set up an SPV to acquire print companies, which has been growing faster than he ever imagined.
Gary Scott has spent the past 18 years making his mark in the commercial fit-out and refurbishment industry across Scotland and the North West of England. Starting out on-site as a labourer, Gary worked his way up the ladder, combining a Quantity Surveying degree with a strong Project Management background to deliver complex, high-profile projects. Over his career, he’s successfully delivered major projects for big-name clients like Vodafone, PwC, Virgin Money, the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Defence - managing teams, budgets and timelines to consistently achieve outstanding results. His ability to juggle commercial demands with client needs and technical challenges has earned him a reputation as a dependable and driven leader. While working with his previous employer, Gary played a central role in growing the business from £10 million to £30 million turnover whilst reducing head count and steering the company through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 period with sharp commercial thinking and steady leadership.
In 2024, Gary co-founded Bellendaine, a new fit-out and refurbishment company - one that blends hands-on experience with strategic vision. Bellendaine delivered high-quality projects and madea name for itself in a competitive Scottish market. In 2026, Bellendaine merged with Caledonia Contracts to create an £8m fit-out and refurbishment specialist.
Gary is passionate about creating spaces that work, not just look good - spaces that meet client needs, stand the test of time and deliver real value. With nearly two decades of experience, a solid commercial foundation and a commitment to doing things right, Gary continues to lead by example and push the boundaries of what his team can achieve.
My name is Gayle Watson, and I have the privilege of serving as the Chairperson of Above Adventure, a charity dedicated to making climbing accessible to those facing challenges such as poverty, disability, or social disadvantage. We recently completed a transformative £4.5 million capital project, converting a disused Victorian church into Ayrshire's first-ever indoor climbing centre, which officially opened its doors in May 2023. Since then, we’ve experienced continuous growth month after month, and it’s been incredible to witness the positive impact on our community.
In addition to my role as Chairperson, I oversee all aspects of our day-to-day operations, including HR, marketing, and financial management. Beyond my work with Above Adventure, I also serve as Finance Director for another charity, which addresses critical issues such as homelessness, poverty, addiction recovery, and support services in East Ayrshire. This role is part-time, but equally meaningful.
Additionally, I am a trustee and operations manager for a separate initiative, where we provide free haircuts across East Ayrshire through a luxury mobile hairdressing van, which we’ve proudly converted ourselves and I am a trustee of Argyll & Bute Womens Aid. Alongside my charitable commitments, I manage my own small accountancy practice based in Kilmarnock.
When I’m not working, I’m a mother of four, and we love spending our time together travelling, climbing, enjoying outdoor adventures, and visiting the theatre and cinema. Recently, I’ve taken up a new personal challenge—learning to play the drums, which has been a rewarding and fun experience!
I'm Geoff, and my journey in Scottish tourism has been fuelled by a passion for crafting unforgettable visitor experiences. Going solo in 2013 from a role as Marketing Manager at Crieff Hydro, Scotland’s leading leisure resort, to launching my own ventures, I've dedicated myself to reshaping the tourism landscape.
I’ve created the Edinburgh City Pass, Stirling Pass, and upcoming Glasgow and Highland passes which will soon be under a centralised hub for Scotland. These initiatives cater to modern travellers seeking authentic experiences, blending local insight with easy digital access to Scotland's cultural gems at an affordable price.
I opened the Stirling Old Town Jail in 2015, an immersive Victorian prison attraction offering fourteen daily live tours and escape rooms. The experience has grown to 30,000+ annual visitors and has won multiple TripAdvisor traveller’s Choice Awards and has recently been accredited as a five star visitor experience by VisitScotland. It’s a firm favourite for the region which is a reflection of my commitment to creating exceptional customer experiences.
My leadership journey, including completion of the Babson College Resilient Leadership Catalyst via Entrepreneurial Scotland, has equipped me to lead with resilience and innovation. I'm driven by a desire to create unique and exceptional visitor experiences, constantly pushing the boundaries of Scottish tourism. I’m at the stage where I am ready to scale the City Pass operation and quickly establish the brand as a market leader within the Scottish tourism market.
I'm the founder of GuruOne. We help leadership teams build clear direction, make better decisions, and actually deliver on the initiatives that matter most.
I spent 10 years in industry and 10 years in consulting, working closely with executive teams across private and public sectors on strategy, transformation, and the messy leadership challenges that come with both. Over that time I kept seeing the same pattern: organisations rarely fail for lack of ideas. They fail because people are overwhelmed by competing priorities and lack the clarity and alignment to turn strategy into focused action.
GuruOne uses AI to give founder-led and scaling businesses the kind of strategic clarity that used to require expensive consultants and months of workshops. It's like having a c-suite strategy team in your pocket, helping you cut through the noise and focus on what actually moves the needle.
SMEs are the backbone of the economy, and I care about this stuff beyond just building a business. When the people running SMEs have the clarity and confidence to focus on what truly matters, the benefits ripple far beyond the organisation itself.
Outside work I'm a devoted family man who enjoys golf, the gym, and the ongoing challenge of improving at all three, with mixed results so far
During his 36 years at RBS, Gordon worked with and supported countless entrepreneurs, early-stage startups and high-growth SMEs as he led and, ultimately, accelerated the Bank’s support programme for UK businesses. This culminated in the launch of the Bank’s first in-house Entrepreneur Accelerator programme and the subsequent creation of 12 UK-wide accelerator hubs. In 2022, Gordon joined N4 Partners as the firm’s Head of Ventures where he is responsible for launching N4’s inaugural venture capital fund alongside supporting N4 Partners’ broader work in investing 3rd party capital, making direct investments supporting tech-focused entrepreneurs and partnering with high growth and fast-moving businesses throughout the UK who have reached critical inflexion points.
Graham is the Chief Executive of Working Rite, providing strategic vision and leadership to our growing charity that helps create change that works and transforms the lives of young people from some of the most socially deprived areas of Scotland.
He was previously the Director of Enterprise at the UK wide charity Volunteering Matters. Growing their two social enterprises from a combined turnover of £400K to over £1Million in a 3-year period. He has over 15 years’ experience working in the Charity Sector having previously worked with Amnesty International and Plan International in senior roles in London.
He is particularly passionate about supporting social mobility, social entrepreneurship, volunteering and young people’s role at the heart of all of this. He is also a voluntary non-executive trustee on the board of Big Hearts Community Trust, which is the charity arm of Heart of Midlothian FC. This allows Graham to combine two of his biggest passions in life – football and community.
Graham was nominated for the Robert Burns Humanitarian Awards 2018 and his passion for young people and supporting social mobility shines through in every aspect of his work.
Before his charity career, Graham was a successful sportsman playing in both Scotland & England as a professional footballer for Raith Rovers and Millwall and still has a passion for all sports. He was recently recognised as a Community Champion in Sport at the Scottish Parliament for his volunteering work as the Head coach of Haddington Athletic Community Football Club.
Grant Currie is founder and Managing Director of Virtual FM Limited, part of the Virtual Group Holdings Ltd. Grant embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2016, following 25+ years spent working in the FM industry at various senior levels. His driving force was to provide excellence, transparency and value for his clients. Originally starting with a team of 3, the company now looks after over 200 employees nationally, over 250 properties UK wide and works with a diverse variety of clients.
Grant Keenan is a private investor with active involvement in angel syndicates. He is a Chartered Waste Manager and the founder of Keenan Recycling, established in 2003.
Under Grant’s leadership, Keenan Recycling experienced significant growth, culminating in investment from BGF in 2015. He successfully scaled the business into the UK’s largest food waste wheelie bin collection provider, operating across 26 depots throughout Scotland, England, and Wales.
In 2024, the business was sold to Biffa. Following the acquisition, Grant was retained for a 2.5-year period to lead the national food waste profit and loss division and ensure a smooth integration of the businesses.
Grant’s achievements were recognised when he was named EY Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014.
His core strengths include people leadership, strategic planning, preparing businesses for exit, and implementing systems and processes that support scalable growth.
Alongside his executive career, Grant has held a number of board and advisory roles. He is currently involved with Hocoo Ltd, a property company he runs with his wife Claire (February 2025 – present), and continues his involvement with Keenan Recycling/Biffa until April 2027 as part of his post-sale transition period.
Previous Appointments
Throughout his career, Grant has demonstrated a consistent ability to build, scale, and successfully exit businesses, while also contributing to the wider industry through leadership, governance, and advisory roles.
My career began with Santander, where I spent 11 years in various roles across the bank, ultimately working within its financial planning and asset management division. Following my time at Santander, I became self-employed as a consultant within the financial planning arm of one of Scotland’s fastest-growing law firms.
This position allowed me to operate independently, develop a tailored approach to financial advice, and build a loyal client base focused on comprehensive, goal-oriented planning. I worked closely with the corporate team within the legal firm, forming part of their team of advisers through various mergers and acquisitions. Importantly this role allowed me to build my own client bank, where in August of this year, I completed the first phase of my purchase of Gregor Davidson Wealth Management.
My current role focuses on delivering consistent, high-quality financial advice to individuals and families across Scotland, with an emphasis on investment management, retirement planning, and wealth preservation.
I remain committed to maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring a smooth continuation of service as Gregor Davidson Wealth Management enters its next chapter. We currently have over 500 clients and circa £80million of funds under management, with the aim to grow this significantly over the next decade.
As a Client Experience Director, my priority is building strong, collaborative relationships with clients. I believe that the foundation of any successful transformation is a deep understanding of the business—its people, operations, challenges, and goals. Taking the time to listen and learn allows me to offer support that’s relevant, practical, and aligned with drives real tangible value. With over 15 years of experience working across regulated sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and housing associations, I’ve developed a clear and structured approach to helping organisations manage change. These industries often face complex regulatory requirements and operational pressures, and I work closely with clients to navigate these challenges while identifying opportunities for improvement. My focus is on supporting digital and operational transformation in a way that is both sustainable and measurable. I help organisations improve efficiency, reduce risk, and maintain compliance—while also strengthening their ability to compete in demanding markets. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every organisation is different, and whether it’s through process improvement, technology adoption, or strategic planning, I aim to deliver outcomes that are realistic, cost-effective, and valuable over the long term. Ultimately, my role is about partnership. I work alongside clients to guide them through change, offering insight, structure, and support every step of the way.
I have a real passion for property. At 16 I worked with my Dad in his property maintenance firm. At 20 I bought my first renovation project, a 2-bed flat in the East End of Glasgow. At 27 I bought a hotel. The theme and the thing I really get a buzz from is being able to take a property that's been a little unloved and transforming it into a fantastic space and high performance asset. That passion has evolved overtime and has led me to building a high quality serviced accommodation brand.
At Donnini, we are specialists in providing short & extended stays for both business and leisure guests across Scotland.
Founded in 2017, it's been quite the journey. Today, we have a portfolio with fantastic variety of over 70 apartments, houses and a hotel across Ayrshire.
I have been in the service sector for over 20 years. Working in commercial, operational and leadership roles developed a career in helping clients internally and externally solve problems.
Working across multiple industry sectors in Capex Projects, Service Contract, Contract Management, Key Account Managing then into Leadership roles running full Profit and Loss accounts for global businesses.
Before starting Ailsa Reliability Solutions, I was a Regional Director leading 7 business units at a global engineering business, with an annual turnover of £30M with 250 indirect staff. The business units included re-manufacturing business, naval services business, coil manufacturing business, global engineering support, condition monitoring R&D business and a number of service and repair business units.
I have work for both small and large organisations through my time and have supported some major players in Oil and Gas, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Marine and Renewables Sectors, the likes of BP, Shell, GSK, DSM, Viridor, Veolia, General Electric, Siemens Gamesa, Forth Ports, CNR International to name a few.
I’m a business owner, board-level leader and executive coach with more than 30 years’ experience across a mix of big, complex organisations and entrepreneurial businesses. I’ve led large teams, sat on Boards, dealt with high-pressure decisions — and learned that none of it works well unless you genuinely care about people.
I live and work in Glasgow and currently run a health and safety consultancy. At heart, my work is about helping organisations look after their people properly, make sensible decisions about risk and create cultures where accountability and kindness sit comfortably together.
I’m a big believer that businesses do better — and last longer — when people feel trusted, supported and able to grow. I’m naturally upbeat, curious and practical. I enjoy solving messy problems, bringing different perspectives together and helping people see what’s possible rather than what’s in the way. Supporting others to build confidence, develop their leadership and step into bigger roles has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Outside work, I’m a proud mum to Ben, who keeps me grounded and gives me a healthy sense of perspective. I value honesty, generosity and collaboration, and I’m always keen to learn from others’ experiences and share my own — the good bits and the hard-won lessons. I’m really looking forward to being part of The Exchange and connecting with people who care about building great businesses for the long term.
Jay Smith is a recruitment manager with nearly 2 decades of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. Since being involved in setting up ETPM in 2007 he’s seen the highs and lows of recruitment in a fast-paced sector that can be dependent on the value of the price of a barrel of oil.
He’s a firm believer that a good team, with a good work ethic, will produce great results and constantly look to improve the way of doing things that will not only benefit the team but also the end client.
As the manager at ETPM, Jay is responsible for managing the end-to-end recruitment process, from business development and identifying clients, to implementing processes and automation that identify areas of opportunity and growth for the company.
With a good understanding of the Oil and Gas industry, in particular Marine, ROV and Survey sectors, he has ensured that ETPM has remained at the forefront of the recruitment industry within Aberdeen.
Jay is keen to take people on the journey with him, and he believes in building lasting relationships with both clients, candidates, and staff. His commitment to delivering excellent customer service to his clients.
Jay recently completed a Diploma in Recruitment Management, which has introduced more theoretical strategies that he hopes to operationalise and that will benefit his recruitment team and keep abreast of current employment legislation.
Jen started as CEO of Aberdein Considine Wealth as of August 2022, leading the Scottish based financial planning firm.
Most recently Jen worked for Cornerstone Asset Management, a leading wealth management business as Managing Director and following their acquisition in April 2021, is now called Waverton Wealth.
In 2013, Jen became SafeDeposits Scotland’s first CEO, and successfully led SafeDeposits from it’s 1st anniversary to its current position as the country’s leading tenancy deposit scheme, with almost 60% of the market, 100,000 tenancies and over £76m worth of deposits. Went onto win IoD Director of the Year, Third Sector.
Jen started out as a Physiotherapy graduate, but decided this career was not for her, however the diagnostic and questioning skills that were gained gave her a good foundation for her future career. Jen moved to Oxford in 2000 as a Sales Graduate for Snowdrop System, a growing entrepreneurial technology business based in Oxford. After 7 years, and an upward trajectory to management, Jen then moved to New York as Vice President of Scottish Development International’s financial services team. This position was
focused on promoting and growing Scotland’s Financial Services sector as well as supporting MSP and government official visits to the US. It was on her return that she went to work with RBS, and was promoted to Chair of the RBS Lombard CSR Board and Director of Origination within Lombard Asset Finance.
As a supporter of Scotland’s Third Sector, Jen was proud to be Chairperson of One Parent Families Scotland, the leading charity in Scotland working with single parent families. It’s as a single parent that Jen first came across this great charity and wanted to give something back.
I’m Jim, the founder and CEO of Cleartech, a leading specialist in HVAC Commissioning, Water treatment, Water and Air hygiene & Legionella compliance.Established 20 years ago, Cleartech has grown steadily and now employs over 50 staff across 3 locations in the UK.
My day to day working life has evolved over the last few years and is now very varied and new to me. I’m doing more strategy and development work than I’ve ever done, working on the black stuff, whilst “trying and being told” to leave the day to day running of Cleartech to our trusted management team and our great people. I let go a wee bit more every day…. that worries me sometimes!
What the next chapter holds for Cleartech and myself will be interesting, I feel I make decisions when I hit a crossroad and move on happily, then I meet another crossroad.
Founder & MD of SouthSide Property Management (SPM), where we help clients let and manage residential investment property in Edinburgh for the long term. Over the past 17 years SPM has steadily grown each year and built our team to just over 50 across the different companies.
Alongside this, for the last 22 years I have built my own portfolio, mainly residential HMOs, to just over 130 properties and continue to buy and invest in 6p.a. either through joint venture companies or with my wife. I also founded and invested in other businesses, including an architectural drawing practice, factoring/block management business and an inventory business which I am not involved in day-to-day.
Prior to SPM, I spent 5 years at Lidl acquiring, obtaining permissions and building stores in Scotland and the north east of England where we delivered 14 new open stores. Business has always been on my mind - at 12 I started an egg business on my family farm (Dad never paid enough wages/pocket money helping on the farm!), selling eggs in the local village. This along with selling books door to door when at University funded me through University in Edinburgh where I studied Accounting & Business.
Outside work, I have two sons and enjoy travelling as a family with my wife. I’m a keen watcher of golf, football and rugby and I try (not well!) to play golf regularly at my local club. Since 2016 I have been a trustee of Canongate Youth, which supports young people in the local area. I have also been involved in Scouts, coached football and rugby at our local primary school, and I am always keen to support local people and business.
Very much looking forward to meeting new people in business and continuing to grow the business, learn more and help others along that journey of Entrepreneurship for the benefit of all.
I am a forward-thinking company director with a strong focus on renewable energy and sustainable innovation, committed to creating a more sustainable future through strategic leadership and impactful energy solutions. I strive to drive strategic growth, operational excellence, and organizational transformation within the businesses.
John is a Chartered Accountant and fully acquired the business of Benson Wood & Co Chartered Accountants based in Lanarkshire in 2020, having been a partner in the previous partnership business for over 20 years.
His business specialises in providing financial and business support, advice and guidance to growing businesses with turnover levels between £500k and £10m.
As an ICAS member, business ethics and values are of prime importance to John, and a big focus of his business growth plan is to attract clients and team members who not only want to grow themselves, but also align with those ethics and values.
In his spare time, John stays in Strathaven with his wife Yvonne, follows Motherwell FC, dotes on his 2 grandkids Millie and Mason, and loves to walk his two border terrirer dogs, Jess and Angus.
My name is Johnny Manning and I am the founder of Connekt EV charging. Outside of my amazing family (willow my golden retriever/Fluffy non exec ceo and my fiancé Aimee), I enjoy the release of taking a step back, pulling myself out the day to day madness of scaling Connekt to sharing my business journey with other like minded entrepreneurs and hearing that in actual fact I am not the only one going through these extraordinary business scaling experiences...
My business Connekt is on a steep growth curve having turnover £2 million + in just over 2 years of officially trading with forecasts to reach £8 million EBITDA by 2028. My passion is Pushing the boundaries in this market to Create new transport means in not only Scotland and the UK but also Europe as very little status quo currently exists.
Jude McCorry is the CEO of the Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland. She is also co founder of the Cyber and Fraud Hub a charity dedicated to individuals who have become victims of cyber enabled crime like financial fraud.
The Cyber and Fraud Centre work with students from the Ethical hacking programme to deliver testing and training to our clients on a part time basis, and help students with the softer skills around future employment.
Jude has over 20 years of experience in the technology sector and started her career with Dell computers in Ireland, she joined the Cyber and Fraud Centre (formally known as the Scottish Business Resilience Centre) in April 2020 from The Data Lab, where she was Director of Business Development, working with industry and academia to maximise the value of data for Scotland. She is one of the founders of the UNICEF Data Hub for Children, she also sits on the board of the Edinburgh Data-Driven Innovation Hub at Edinburgh University.
Jude is very passionate about data and cyber for good and inspiring the next generation into cyber and technology – particularly looking at female participation into this, but also keeping females in the industry once they enter it.
I bring to the business over 10 years' experience in condition monitoring and reliability services and is the key technical focal point of the Ailsa organisation.
Before joining Ailsa Reliability Solutions Ltd. I started my career as an apprentice in Quartzelec Ltd and quickly adapted to new technologies and systems the business had invested in. By the end of my apprenticeship, I was the main focal point for Aberdeen high voltage testing and mechanical monitoring of machines. This is where I met Jamie in 2014, and our working relationship began.
I was given the opportunity to further educate myself and I went on and completed a HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. When this was completed, I then enrolled in a lead technician roll which involved building a small team and managing projects. This successfully turned into a team of four technicians within 12 months working mainly on oil and gas platforms.
Rather than going for my degree I wanted to get more practical experience and then progressed my career by becoming the main focal point for all condition monitoring activities within the international business. This role allowed me to learn then train others in Condition Monitoring activities. Further growing the business.
I then took on a role as account manager for the Key Oil and Gas Contracts whilst taking the lead role in moving the production of the condition monitoring equipment from Switzerland to Aberdeen. I ran this facility, created supply chains and trained up a further team of four before leaving to join my current business.
In my current role I have now built up a direct team of 8 technicians / engineers that generate in excess of £1m per annum. I am also the main technical focal point for the business making strategic partnerships with technology companies and our client base.
Operations Director and Shareholder of BCA Insulation Limited. With a passion for delivering a good job, happy customer and optimum outputs through effective planning, motivation and drive for excellence, I am the Operations Director and part owner of BCA Insulation Limited, a company that specialises in the surveying for and installation of all forms of insulation and renewable energies for existing properties across Scotland. My entrepreneurial journey began twenty-three years ago when I launched a sandwich and buffet delivery business to serve businesses in North Lanarkshire. Since coming into the family business on the birth of my second child in 2007 on a part time and temporary basis, I have grown with the business to become the main driving force and key decision maker in terms of all things operational. From leaving school at sixteen with no real academic qualifications, I have honed my management and people skills through various roles in retail where I quickly rose form a floor assistant in a department store to running multi-million-pound turnover branches of the American fashion retailer G.A.P. My career highlights include opening new stores for G.A.P. and the expansion of BCA from a £1.4 million sole trader limited to lofts and cavity wall insulation to a £12 million, multi-trade Limited Company operating in all areas of Scotland and the Western Isles, with all the logistical challenges such entails. At BCA we strive to provide an unrivalled range of solutions for every construction type, backed up with a technical know-how and show-developed over many years’ experiences, and several research and development programmes with various Scottish Universities. Aside from my business endeavours, I am passionate about the physical and mental benefits of eating well and weight training and am always looking for ways in which to give back to the community through donations to local groups and clubs and supporting charities like Dream Makers. As a member of this entrepreneurial exchange network, I aim to foster collaboration and share insights that can help fellow entrepreneurs thrive. I am always open to new connections and discussions about potential partnerships. Feel free to reach out to me - let’s connect and drive innovation together!
Kat leads award-winning BCorp family business Mercat Tours, delivering expert storytelling in Edinburgh and on WWI & WWII battlefields. A passionate advocate for Fair Work, community impact, and youth careers in tourism, she holds leadership roles nationally while still guiding tours herself to combine strategic influence with a love of history and people.
Keith Gallacher is the Managing Director of Complete Weed Control (Scotland South East Limited), one of Scotland’s leading grounds maintenance and vegetation management businesses. Founded over 20 years ago, the company has grown into a well-established operation with an ambition to become the best in the sector across Scotland.
Under Keith’s leadership, Complete Weed Control has built a strong reputation on the foundations of service excellence and uncompromising quality standards. Long-term client relationships sit at the heart of the business — a direct result of the consistent, professional delivery Keith has embedded throughout the organisation. The business serves a broad and prestigious client base including local authorities, highways operating companies and private commercial organisations, operating exclusively in the B2B sector.
Keith is focused on building the right team and structure to support the company’s continued geographic expansion across Scotland. With core services spanning weed control, grass cutting, arboriculture and winter maintenance — each contributing equally to the company’s revenue — Complete Weed Control is well positioned for its next phase of growth, and firmly believes the surface has barely been scratched.
Hello I'm Laura Porter, the founder of FAB Skincare. I began my career in the beauty industry back in 2009, specialising in beauty and later going on to luxury skincare treatments. Something I am very much involved with in my salon (fab salons face and beauty) Over the intervening time, I noticed many (if not most) skin care products promising much but delivering disappointingly little.
This inspired the creation of my FAB Skincare range (fab - face and body), which was launched in 2022. I've drawn on my extensive knowledge and experience to establish the FAB brand, ensuring it genuinely delivers.
In 2021 after suffering twice first baby loss I set up a charity let’s talk fab (fertility and birth) to help support men and women through struggles of baby loss of being unable to conceive.
Learn more about FAB Skincare.
As the Chief Growth Officer at The Data Lab - Innovation Centre, I lead the strategic development and delivery of our growth agenda. This includes driving revenue generation, expanding our market presence, and building strong partnerships. I manage a team of professionals across Business Development & Partnerships, External Funding, Skills, and Marketing & Communications. I collaborate closely with our CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Governance Board, and key stakeholders, including the Scottish Funding Council. My goal is to shape The Data Lab’s future direction, fostering a values-led culture that supports innovation and sustainable growth. I am also passionate about creating quality homes for long-term rental or short-term holiday-let accommodation through my own business. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Administrative & Information Management from Napier University and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Dundee.
I am passionate about our company, and it’s reputation. We always follow good practice and strive to create positive outcomes for our clients and investors.
My experience comes from working in various sectors for the past 22 years and we have built up an extensive portfolio of land. This would not have been possible without the support of the investors within the group.
From 2009 to 2017 the team had been focused on the Renewable Energy sector.
The launch of the Feed-in-Tariff scheme in the UK for medium scale Renewable Energy projects in April 2010, created an opportunity for the business. We have processed over 160 sites for onshore wind turbines through the planning system, with over 96 sites consented on March 2017 . ILI (RE) Ltd are proud to have been the industry leader in this sector. More importantly it gave us the experience and knowledge for streamlining the processes for getting projects ready for development.
We set up ILI Group Plc in 2017 which has aligned itself with the Scottish Government Energy policy and plans to bring over 4.5GW of Energy Storage to the market using the technology, Pumped Storage Hydro, and utility scale battery storage.
In 2023 we completed our landmark sale of our Loch na Cathrach (formerly “Red John”) pumped storage hydro project to Statkraft.
Building on this success we have expanded into digital infrastructure with The Stoics- a £15 billion green digital network across Scotlands central belt. The three hyper scale Green data centres- Cato (600 MW) in Fife, Aurelius (400MW) in North Lanarkshire, and Rufus (540 MW) in East Ayrshire- will form one of the Worlds largest Green data centre cluster.
We are focused on making a contribution to achieving the UK net zero emission target.
Matt Fisher is the Managing Director of Apex Garden Rooms, a family-run business based in Central Scotland specialising in the design and construction of bespoke garden rooms.
Founded six years ago, the company has grown steadily under Matt’s leadership and now employs a team of 38.
Since launching the business at 24, Matt has overseen projects across Central Scotland, delivering high-quality, purpose-built spaces including home offices, studios, gyms, and garden bars. His focus is on providing a personal, tailored service that meets each client’s individual needs.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys golfing, motorbikes, and boats.
Working fractionally, Mel brings senior marketing leadership shaped by agency, FTSE 100 and startup experience - including lessons learned the hard way. She brings clarity to complex organisations and helps leadership teams move from strategy to action, minus the noise, drama and endless decks.
A reputation and communications specialist, Nathalie Agnew launched Muckle Media in 2012 following a long career supporting some of the world’s biggest brands for London agencies. A former Fleishman-Hillard and Porter Novelli senior international PR advisor, Nathalie has significant experience across many sectors and has led her team at Muckle Media Group to win numerous awards in recent years, the most notable being the CIPR Scotland PRide Outstanding PR Consultancy award in 2018 and the PRCA DARE Large Agency of the Year in 2021. Nathalie also led the agency to become the first B-Corp PR agency in Scotland. Nathalie is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and a member of the PRCA and the Marketing Society. Nathalie chairs the Institute of Directors Edinburgh and Lothians branch.
I’m a leader, relationship builder and Managing Director with 20+ years in sales, marketing, and tech. I’ve built global brands, delivered record-breaking growth, and founded and exited businesses across technology, digital marketing, health, leisure, and hospitality.
At Zudu, I lead on digital transformation, commercial strategy, and international business growth, driving innovation and client success while building empowered, high-performing teams.
I thrive on uncovering new opportunities, building lasting client relationships, and shaping global growth strategies. Passionate about leadership, technology, and innovation, I enjoy collaborating with clients and partners to create purposeful solutions that deliver measurable impact.
Beyond the boardroom, I’m a 38-year-old dad to three boys, a fitness enthusiast, and a lifelong learner who’s always up for a conversation about business, opportunity, and tech. I drink too much coffee and never quite manage to keep my emails, presentations, WhatsApps (and bios) short. Based between Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London.
Paul is the Managing Director of Aspen Solutions Ltd which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Originally founded by his father Vincent, Paul joined the family business 10 years ago after training as a CA at RSM Tenon. He recently bought the business off of his father and has ambitions to grow its IT service offering through a mixture of organic growth and acquisitions. The business uses IT to make European Businesses resilient and have worked on several high profiles events in Scotland including COP26, The British Open and the recent UCI world Cycling championship.
Peter has been in business for twenty six years, starting out as self employed and now running two successful companies in Ayrshire. He has vast experience within the property, home improvement and renewables industry, and building teams of people.
Peter is a director of Easton Group, a property and investment business, and is proactive with its operations and management. Easton Group owns residential and commercial properties with a portfolio of around four hundred units. The business was founded in 1974 by his father, and Peter followed in his footsteps when he purchased his first commercial property at the age of nineteen.
Peter is also a Co-founder and Director of Green Home Systems which he founded in 2014. The company specialises in renewable energy and insulation measures, and has helped thousands of families in Scotland out of fuel poverty. Peter's goal is to develop the business further by expanding into all local authority areas in Scotland and help families across the country by reducing their energy bills and improving their living standards.
Peter is ten years married with two sons that he would like to see get involved with the business as they get older.
Ryan Gilluley is the Managing Director of GCM Ltd, a consultancy providing Quantity Surveying, Business Advisory and Dispute Resolution services to construction companies across Scotland.
With extensive experience across multiple sectors of the construction industry, Ryan leads a team of commercial experts focused on improving the performance and sustainability of subcontractors, developers, and specialist contractors.
Under his leadership, GCM has developed a tailored approach to commercial management designed to help clients mitigate risk, improve cashflow, and maximise profitability. The company supports businesses of all sizes through flexible engagement models and a team that includes professionals ranging from Assistant Quantity Surveyors to Claims Consultants.
Ryan Longmuir is the Managing Director and Founder of Regis Banqueting Ltd, an event based catering company located in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, which began in 2004. Regis’ main business activities include providing catering for business meetings and lunches, contract catering for conference centres and catering for large events from gala dinners, product launches, weddings and private parties. Regis employs 30 full time staff and 150 part time staff. Along with this, Ryan operates Regis Property Scotland, a commercial property company who own and rent industrial warehouse units and run a business centre with serviced office accommodation. He recently started a motorhome hire business called Coast2countrycampers. Ryan describes himself as a charismatic and outgoing person who is committed to helping those from a disadvantage background to find hope and a future and make a success of life. He is a committed Christian and feels motivated to make a real difference in the world. He supports the likes of Princes Trust, Scottish Government, Prison’s, Schools and Colleges providing talks to young people to envision them in business, he has a passion to help people with life controlling addictions to find freedom.
Sandra Dailidyte plays an active role in Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey directly and through partnerships with organisations such as Entrepreneurial Scotland and Invest2Scale. In her role as a Portfolio Manager at Cazenove Capital, Sandra provides specialist advice and guidance to entrepreneurs, business owners and their families, with a particular focus on helping clients structure and protect their wealth through key transition points such as business growth, investment and exit. Fascinated by the evolution of leaders, Sandra also supports the development of emerging talent at an early stage through her roles on the board of Polar Academy and coach at the Future Asset charity and supports female entrepreneurs through her involvement in various initiatives, including Pathways in Scotland. Sandra has also been a key driver behind Cazenove Capital’s MAEVE programme for women in investment, wealth and business.
Sarah Mathieson started her career in events and marketing, working agency-side with BBC Worldwide and Compaq Computers. In 2005, she set up her own marketing agency with her husband, juggling that alongside a handful of start-ups until 2014, when she headed to the US on a life changing adventure as a Saltire Fellow. After returning to the UK, she joined Entrepreneurial Scotland as Membership Director, before becoming MD of Fleming Homes, who design and manufacture timber frame homes for the self-build market, in 2017. In 2021, she self-built her own home, and today she leads the business with a firm belief that how you make people feel lies at the heart of lasting business success.
An entrepreneurial minded individual with a passion for Scotch Whisky.
Saltire Scholar in 2014 with an internship in Edrington New York; on completion of a degree in Business, Economics and Marketing with first class honours from Dundee University, joined Edrington on their Graduate Programme. Working across all departments with two longer secondments in Commercial Finance and then Innovation, with a further secondment in Manchester with Edrington’s distribution partner.
A career change to focus on international trade took me to Mackays Ltd, leading the Export and International Trade department to growth during the Pandemic and Brexit.
Now enjoying a return to the whisky industry in my current role as Commercial Director of Bespoke Bottling at Cane and Grain International, which has seen significant growth from a standing start over the past two years, and growing.
As the Managing Director of Scott Munn & Co Funeral Directors and Company Director of Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors, I oversee the organisation of over 1,500 funerals each year across 16 locations.
With a dedicated team of more than 60 staff, my role involves ensuring that every service is handled with the utmost compassion, care, and professionalism, tailoring each funeral to the unique needs of the families we serve.
Coming from a long lineage of funeral directors, I am proud to be the 12th generation in my family to carry on this work, blending centuries-old traditions with modern funeral practices. Over my 20-year career, I have been heavily involved in the logistical planning and recovery of human remains from several major incidents and have organised thousands of funerals – from everyday farewells to high-profile services requiring intricate planning and coordination. This diverse experience has equipped me with a deep understanding of the importance of providing personalised support to families in their most challenging moments.
In addition to my core work, I have overseen the successful acquisition of several funeral firms, contributing to the strategic growth of our business and the continued expansion of our services. My commitment to developing the businesses I manage, particularly Scott Munn & Co, ensures that we remain at the forefront of the funeral industry, delivering compassionate and professional care that is trusted by families across the region.
Outside of my professional responsibilities, I am passionate about mental health advocacy and serve as Co-Chair of Men with Issues, a mental health group focused on supporting men as they navigate life’s challenges. This work is close to my heart, as I believe in the importance of building strong support networks within our communities.
As a husband and father of two, my family is my driving force. They are the reason I do what I do, and they inspire my continued dedication to providing exceptional service to families in need. My ultimate goal is to continue growing and evolving the businesses I am involved with, while ensuring that our clients receive the highest standard of care during their most difficult times.
I am Scott St. John, currently Managing Director of Interlink Lighting & Electrical, a commercial electrical contractor based in Glasgow, operating throughout Scotland. The business was started after a light bulb moment by my father in 1994 as lamp replacement business serving commercial & retail properties throughout the UK and Northern Ireland. After completing a MA in Business & Management from the University of Glasgow, I accidently joined the business in 2003 and still here to this day. Over the years, I’ve been involved in diversifying, rebranding & growing the Company into an award-winning contractor and brand that is client focused & service driven. We are now involved with new design & build installations, all aspects of maintenance & compliance.
Steph Eady is the Co-Founder of Mission10, a dynamic digital marketing agency based in Aberdeen. Over the past six years, Steph has successfully built and led a team of 16 talented marketers, developers, and designers. Under her leadership, Mission10 has cultivated a robust portfolio of clients spanning diverse sectors across the globe, including property, energy, technology, professional services, retail, tourism and the third sector. Known as the "people person" of the founding duo, Steph excels in managing both her team and client relationships. Her commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture is evident in her dedication to creating an environment where happiness, vitality, and fulfillment are at the core of the company’s values. An ambitious and visionary leader, Steph is not only focused on the growth of Mission10 but also on expanding her entrepreneurial footprint. She and her business partner are driven by a passion for innovation, with plans to launch additional ventures that address the real-world challenges faced by their clients and themselves
Learn more about Mission 10.
An entrepreneurial brand, marketing and commercialisation professional who has been responsible for the creation and growth of many household names and brands through the brand, marketing and creative agencies he founded.
Stephen has worked with established global organisations and ambitious founders/ entrepreneurs to help create new products/ brands, accelerate growth and build value in Scotland, throughout the UK and internationally for the last 30 years.
He has recently embarked on a new adventure with the formation of PortfolioXD - which offers C-suite as a service (CaaS) to ambitious SME's. PortfolioXD has a talent pool of high quality, highly experienced, pre-vetted fractional (part-time) C-suite talent, that enable SME's to hire better than they can afford, earlier in the growth cycle than they thought might be possible and without any of the traditional recruitment timelines, costs or risks.
Steven runs two businesses, both of which are headquartered in Ayrshire and operate throughout Scotland.
Steven is a Co-founder and Chairman of Green Home Systems, an energy efficiency specialist that installs thermal insulation and renewable energy systems, helping families to lower energy costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He founded the business in 2014 and it has installed more than 16,500 energy efficiency measures in homes, abated half a million tonnes of CO2 emissions, and lifted 7,000 families out of fuel poverty. Steven’s ambition is to develop the business into the country’s premier go-to energy efficiency retrofit installer, and lead the UK’s transition to net zero housing.
He is also a director of Easton Group, a family-owned property and investments business founded by his dad in 1974. Its activities include residential housing, commercial property, and private equity investments. The group owns and manages 400 properties and Steven runs the business as a senior director with overall managerial responsibility.
Learn more about Green Home Systems.
I am a business owner with over 25 years experience in the surveying, infrastructure and geospatial sectors.
Under the Precision Group I have worked in the surveying, infrastructure and geospatial sectors for over 25 years. I founded Precision Utility Mapping in 2015 to build a business that delivers high-quality utility, topographical and scanning services to major infrastructure clients across the UK. We now operate from offices in East Kilbride and Birmingham. In 2017, I expanded the business into Ireland and today we employ around 70 people across all locations.
Under the wider Precision Group, we have our core surveying businesses alongside a golf performance studio and a traffic management division in Ireland. My background is technical, rooted in the utility and civil engineering sectors, but I’ve always had a strong focus on how technology can move the industry forward. I’m particularly interested in improving standards, efficiency and data quality through better systems and innovation.
I’m a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors and currently hold a number of board positions within the industry. I bring practical experience of building and scaling businesses, leading teams and managing risk, while keeping a close eye on performance and long-term growth.
I'm Steven McColl, a private financier with a specialist focus on UK property finance, working closely with entrepreneurial investors and ambitious business clients to unlock tailored funding solutions. Driven by a strong green ethos and a deep respect for nature, I strive to align financial growth with sustainable values. Passionate about learning, sharing, and evolving, I'm now stepping into a new chapter with Property VC—a property venture capital initiative aimed at backing bold ideas and transformative developments. As I grow this venture, I'm focused on maximising my network, building genuine connections, and finding the confidence to make the ask when it matters most.
I wanted to become an Architect from primary 5 after the teacher gave us an exercise to design our own home. I left school and started as a trainee Architect. I worked my up from basic tasks to eventually running my own projects. After 9 years I was offered to run someone's business and I jumped at the chance as I believed it would be a great challenge, which it was. This led me to eventually becoming self employed and starting my own company.
Tony Quinn is the CEO and founder of SilverCloud. He established the business in 2014 with a clear mission: to ensure Scottish SMEs have access to modern, reliable technology that helps them grow, ensuring no business is left behind. With over 20 years’ experience across IT and managed services, and more than a decade building SilverCloud, Tony is a well-established entrepreneur in the Scottish technology sector. Alongside SilverCloud, Tony is also a founder of Acumen, a specialist cyber security business focused on helping organisations strengthen resilience, manage risk and meet compliance requirements in an increasingly complex threat landscape. Beyond his businesses, Tony is an active supporter of the Scottish business community, regularly contributing to entrepreneurial discussions and mentoring programmes, including his involvement with ScaleUp and Entrepreneurial Scotland. His focus remains firmly on building a proactive, people-first technology partner that enables fearless growth for growing businesses.
Yvonne is the Founder and Managing Director of Telecom Networks, a leading telecommunications company since 2010. Under Yvonne's leadership, Telecom Networks has become renowned for its exceptional customer service and comprehensive offerings in hosted telephony, broadband, telephone systems, and mobile services. Her profound understanding of the industry, combined with her unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, has resulted in a loyal and growing customer base.
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Strathclyde University, Yvonne leverages her deep understanding of human behaviour to foster strong relationships both within her team and with clients. She believes that these relationships are the cornerstone of the company's success. Yvonne is a dynamic leader who encourages and mentors her team, particularly advocating for women in business and leadership roles. Her extensive experience in customer service, sales, and business management, along with her innovative and enthusiastic approach, has been pivotal in driving Telecom Networks to new heights.
Yvonne is a delegate of the Coatbridge Town Board, a project responsible for a £20 million re-investment into the town as part of the 'levelling' up programme, she plays an influential role and believes in giving something back to her town and community.
Yvonne's core values—success, trust, confidence, energy, and a passion for business—are the driving forces behind her and the company's enduring success.