Welcome to today's episode, where we have the absolute honour of hosting a remarkable individual who epitomises resilience, determination, and the sheer power of the human spirit. Our guest today is none other than Martin Perry, a phenomenal Paralympian who is about to embark on yet another incredible journey—competing in the Paris Paralympics in t…

Welcome to the last of three special episodes of the Scottish Business Network podcast in partnership with the UK Government’s Department of Business and Trade and, in particular, its International Markets Team for Latin America and the Caribbean.And here's a questions for you... Did you know that one of the most popular dishes in Brazil is sushi? …

Welcome to the second of three special episodes of the Scottish Business Network podcast in partnership with the UK Government’s Department of Business and Trade and, in particular, its International Markets Team for Latin America and the Caribbean.In this episode, it' a great pleasure to hear from Spencer Mahony, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commiss…

Welcome to three special episodes of the Scottish Business Network in partnership with the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade and, in particular, its International Markets Team for Latin America and the Caribbean.In this first episode, we hear the fascinating story of Robin Sampson, founder of Trade in Space, an Edinburgh-based busin…

SBN co-founder Russell Dalgleish meets identical twins Lisa and Alana Macfarlane and discovers how they swapped their globe-trotting careers as DJs to build an ambitious business promoting gut health.Fraser Allen from Fraser Allen Communications

If you go down to the woods today, you might find Rupert Waites drilling for birch sap. The co-founder of Scottish drinks company Buck & Birch is our fascinating host for a special woodland episode in which we discuss the business he co-founded with Tom Chisholm. We also explore their deep connection with the Scottish landscape, their foraging-insp…

David started life in Glasgow dreaming of working in an ice cream van but then, after considering a career in the merchant navy, he realised he could get a place at university. That decision opened the door to an extraordinarily successful career thousands of miles away in the US space industry. David tells his story with wonderful colour, humour a…

In 1966, two brothers called George and Mike Wills bought a small taxi firm in Glasgow, comprising just three cars – a Humber Hawke, a Humber Snipe and an Austin Princess. More than half a century later, George’s daughter Heather Matthews is CEO of Little’s – the luxury worldwide chauffeur services. In this interview with Christine Esson, Heather t…

If you’ve had any interaction with the Scottish marketing industry, you will almost certainly have heard of Tayburn, one of the leading agencies in Scotland for more than four decades. Our guest in this episode is Richard Simpson, who joined Tayburn 14 years ago, before participating in a management buyout to become co-owner and joint managing dire…

Glasgow-born Sandy Kennedy, studied at Cambridge and began a law career in London, while enjoying the city's club scene. But when the novelty of legal work and house music wore off, he returned to Scotland to help with his family's laundry business, and embark on his own entrepreneurial adventures as Founder of Klick Direct. The UK-wide photo proce…

As Chief Executive of Women's Enterprise Scotland, Carolyn Currie is dedicated to supporting and promoting women-led and women-owned businesses. It's a cause she is passionate about, having a forged her own successful career in finance as Head of Business Lending at Royal Bank of Scotland. And as we hear in her conversation with Christine Esson, Ca…

When Tynah Matembe and her husband moved from Uganda to Edinburgh, they fell in love with Scotland. However, when the contrast in cultures left them feeling isolated, they embarked on a mission to create a social group bringing together others with an African background. Little did they realise what it would lead to.With their new friends increasin…

When Edinburgh-raised Neil McInnes and his childhood friend Andy Whitmey were still in their 20s, they spotted an opportunity in the residential lettings market. Having both experienced poor service from letting agencies as tenants, they believed that the fusty image of solicitors in pin-striped suits was due a shake-up, with much greater care and …

Jacqui Gale's arrival in the world prompted the temporary closure of Edinburgh Airport and, since embarking on the world of business, her impact has been no less striking. This Scots-Canadian has brought her considerable drive and qualities to global brands from Estee Lauder and Revlon, to Crabtree & Evelyn and Arran. Jacqui's a natural storyteller…

Alexandra Lawson’s potential was spotted back in 2018 when she was presented with a One to Watch Award by Women in Science & Engineering (WISE). A Saltire scholar and ambassador, she’s now realising that potential in her current role with Shell, championing renewable energy solutions. A keen advocate of tackling the climate change crisis, Alex is p…

Martin Cawley is a popular and influential figure in Scotland’s third sector. From the early stages of his career at the NHS and then at the family support charity Quarriers, he’s been excited by innovation, committed to inclusion, and driven by a desire to help people realise their full potential. Martin's now bringing his experience to Beatson Ca…

From humble but happy beginnings in north London, Ray Perman has been a popular and much admired figure in the Scottish business world since permanently moving to Edinburgh in 1975.The former Scotland correspondent for the Financial Times, went on to found the successful Business Insider publishing group before becoming Chief Executive of Scottish …

Professor Calum MacRae, a GP's son from the Isle of Skye, has been based in Boston in the USA for more than 30 years and is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.As well as being a physician and a scientist, he is extraordinarily influential and well-connected in Boston’s buoyant life sciences, medical and technology sectors. And in this …

Damian Riley-Smith grew up in Norfolk but has strong family connections with Jura – both the island and the whisky. A born entrepreneur, he avoided studies during his time at Cambridge University because he was busy running three enterprises he had started up – a magazine, a nightclub and boxer short business. Yep – it was the 80s!After a brief spe…

As a school-leaver, Philip Grant went straight to work in a branch of Bank of Scotland and, 40 years on, his career continues within the same group.He's now Chief Operating Officer for Insurance & Wealth at Lloyds Banking Group, as well as being Chair of Scottish Financial Enterprise. However, despite all that has happened since, Philip still remem…

After a happy childhood in South Africa, Shona Fleming was brought back to Glasgow by her parents and found the transition difficult. Life at school became uncomfortable with taunts about her background – her education stalled and Shona abandoned any thoughts of higher education.A series of junior jobs followed, in which she always worked hard, but…

If you only ever listen to one episode of the Scottish Business Network podcast, make it this one. To round 2021 off, Fraser Allen dips into the archive to unearth some wonderful contributions from guests over the past two to three years.In particular, we hear from people who have shown extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity, as well as …

When Todd Walker was appointed Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of the Highlands and Islands in February 2021, he started the role in the strangest of circumstances. Based in Australia, lockdown prevented his relocation to Inverness, so he spent several months leading the university from a desk at his home on the other side of the wo…

Building on a highly successful business career, Aberdeenshire-born Jackie Waring founded Investing Women, a Scottish community of women angel investors, women entrepreneurs seeking growth, and those who want to help both.Scott Dalgleish takes over the reins from Fraser Allen in interviewing Jackie for this fascinating episode, exploring the unexpe…

To mark the opening of Scottish International Week on 2 November 2021, Fraser Allen considers the global Scottish diaspora and interviews a fine example of this inquisitive and adventurous breed. When Argyll-bred Caroline Finkel first visited Turkey as a student in 1971, she fell in love with the country and has spent much of her life since then li…

Aberdonian Iain Anderson began his career working as a journalist for the Courier and the Herald before becoming a founding shareholder of Incisive Media, a B2B publishing company that has evolved into digital media and events.It was a wise move as his shareholding grew considerably due to a subsequent sale and flotation. That enabled him to found …

Honorary Scot Liz Barclay has a long history of campaigning for consumer justice and financial inclusion through her days at Citizens Advice, a distinguished career as a journalist and BBC Radio 4 presenter, and her seat on the Financial Inclusion Commission.Then in July 2021, Liz was revealed as the new UK Small Business Commissioner. The commissi…

In 2012, a 21-year-old Aberdeen University student called Blair Bowman created a global celebration called World Whisky Day. Hundreds of thousands of people got involved, and the initiative continues to flourish. Meanwhile Blair has gone on to establish himself as one of the UK’s leading writers, experts and consultants on whisky. As we begin an oc…

It’s often been said that, here in Scotland, we underestimate just what a wonderful place this is to live and work in – particularly compared to many people looking on admiringly from overseas. Take the fintech entrepreneur Gopal Hariharan. He was so impressed by the Scottish business eco system that he moved his Black Arrow app start-up from Sydne…

Growing up on a Californian farm, Eric McAfee’s horizons were broadened by global travel, including extensive tours playing trumpet in a band. Yet running parallel to this, he and his brothers started a business at an early age called McAfee Farms managing agricultural properties. And at the tender age of 23, while he was still at college, Eric was…

We now hear the phrase ‘mental health’ in the media just about every day, but it wasn’t always that way. People – and businesses – have become far more comfortable discussing issues such as stress, anxiety and depression – even more so in the wake of the pandemic crisis.And while a lot of people are understandably keen to throw themselves back into…

David Brown may well be Scotland's most successful fintech entrepreneur. However, in a Glasgow accent undimmed by many years of living in London and the Middle East, he self-deprecatingly describes himself as a 'lunatic'.Well, if that's the case, he’s the lunatic behind the hugely successful Oxygen Finance and now Hi55 Ventures, which is revolution…

Dr Marie Macklin is on a mission. As the driving force behind the ambitious regeneration of the old Johnnie Walker bottling plant in her home town of Kilmarnock, Marie has developed a new model for creating vibrant communities for the benefit of everyone – and it’s a model she’s set on taking well beyond Scotland.The founder of HALO Urban Regenerat…

In this special episode, entrepreneur and Scottish Business Network co-founder Russell Dalgleish quizzes podcast host Fraser Allen about seven key leadership insights that he's gathered from interviewing 60+ Scottish business leaders in the series to date.Recorded in front of a live audience as part of the Scottish Business Network's celebration of…

For rugby fans of a certain age, the abiding memory of David Sole is of the Scottish captain leading the team out for the 1990 Grand Slam triumph against England. Yet as well as an outstanding rugby career, that also encompassed a World Cup semi-final and a victorious Lions tour of Australia, David has built a highly successful business career. He …

At the age of just 23, Louise Worrall was a navigator in the Royal Navy, guiding a minehunter around the globe. It was her dream job. But just a year so later, her naval career was cut short by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Previously undiagnosed in Louise, the effects of this disability rapidly escalated before she knew what was happening to her. Louise…

When Clare Wareing was growing up in Yorkshire, one of her friends lost her father to cancer at a very early age. The experience had a big impact on Clare and, when her grandfather was later diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, she promised him that she would devote her life to cancer research.And that is exactly what she has done – while also p…

When British long-distance runner Mo Farah won his four Olympic gold medals, a key part of the team driving him forward was a Scotsman. Barry Fudge grew up in Fort William, obsessed with sport and with an increasing interest in the science behind it. This would ultimately lead him to the role of Head of Endurance at British Athletics, and those cel…

Martin Perry was born with one leg and both of his hands missing. He’s now a world-class table tennis player who says his disability is one of the best things that have ever happened to him. Yet despite these extraordinary facts and his hugely charismatic personality, Martin has always seen himself simply as a normal guy – one of four competitive b…

When Dame Laura Lee left the Peterhead area at the age of 16 to begin her career as a nurse in Edinburgh, she could never have imagined that she would one day be the CEO of a major charity operating around the world, and having a hugely positive impact on the experiences of cancer patients and those close to them.Yet, after nursing Maggie Jencks, a…

Any Scottish football fan of a certain age will remember the thrill of seeing Scotland line up against Brazil for the opening match of the World Cup Finals in Paris almost 23 years ago.Craig Brown was a key figure in a golden period for Scottish football, and a coach who was in many ways ahead of his time in the thoughtful way that he approached th…

Alison Walker was the first woman to report live on a football match for the BBC. That’s a significant moment looking back but it didn’t feel like it at the time for Alison – she was too busy focusing on doing a good job while navigating the hostilities of the male-dominated media pack. However, this achievement heralded an outstanding career in sp…

Claire Alexander swam for Scotland as a teenager before a life-threatening car crash wrecked her hopes of competing at the Commonwealth Games and London Olympics. After recovering, and playing football to a decent level, she travelled to South Africa and decided to make her life there. Her first job was washing dishes in a kitchen but she went on t…

Peter Proud fizzes with energy and passion for his business and his people. It’s not hard to imagine the young boy growing up on a council scheme in Dunfermline who would set off on a four-hour milk round every morning before school.Peter won an apprenticeship with Marconi and then a scholarship to Sandhurst. Then, after leaving the army, he embark…

This time last year, Ruby Sweeney was busy running a successful events business called The Events Hub. Then COVID-19 arrived and the events industry was thrown into disarray. After taking stock, Ruby challenged herself to lead the way in online events management. She believes that, post-pandemic crisis, the future will lie in hybrid events and, des…

As a boy growing up in Edinburgh, Chris Tolley liked nothing more than a quiet evening in reading Mozart sheet music. Music was his destiny and, after university, he landed a job with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group, rapidly progressing from photocopying sheet music to taking the lead on extraordinary events such as the Concert for Diana.…

Nadeem Sarwar, the founder of Scotland-based digital pharmacy Phlo, explains the extraordinary growth of his business, accelerated further by the impact of the pandemic crisis. Nadeem explains why this will continue to be a significant growth area, and how Phlo is seeking to build on it with a crowdfunding campaign launched on 12 October 2020 (last…

Growing up in the Peak District and then the Sidlaw Hills, Simon Milne developed a passion for nature, conservation and the great outdoors at an early age. Discouraged from a career in conservation by his school, he embraced a long and rewarding career in the Royal Marines. However, after being invalided out, he returned to his first love and is no…

Is there still a place for clans in modern Scotland? Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston certainly believes so. She is Chief of Clan Hunter, and argues that clans have a key role to play in drawing the Scottish diaspora back to the old country, and helping to create business opportunities. And for her part, she’s highly active in pulling together Hu…

In 1999, Poonam Malik arrived in Scotland from India with two suitcases, £35 and a British Council scholarship to Glasgow University. 21 years on, she is an extraordinarily well connected scientist, academic, businesswoman, investor, consultant and mentor – and a passionate advocate for social enterprise and encouraging diversity everywhere from bu…