www.iod.com
The official membership Direction magazine of the Institute of SUMMER 2017: Events diary • DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT • ADVICE AND INFORMATION • NEWS Directors in Scotland
Party leaders share their vision with IoD
In conversation with Doug Whyte, Hydro Group n Conference news n Director of the Year winners
Welcome
IoD Scotland After the last votes are counted... & Direction IoD Executive Director: it’s down to the real job at hand David Watt For email enquiries: [email protected] Executive comment: After a period of unprecedented Web: www.iod.com political activity, the pressure is now on to build a new Address: 10 Charlotte business and economic landscape that works for all, Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR says IoD Scotland Chair Susan Deacon MIoD
Tel: 0131 557 5488 fter the General Election on June 8, Scotland Direction is the official will have been to the polls an unprecedented membership magazine of seven times in three years. For the record, the the Institute of Directors tally reads: a European election followed by Scotland and is published on Athe independence referendum in 2014, a UK General its behalf by: Election a year later, a Holyrood vote and EU Chamber Media Services, referendum last year, and a local authority poll and 4 Hilton Road, Bramhall, (another) General Election this year. Stockport, Cheshire SK7 3AG Never in the history of Scotland have so many people voted so many times in so many elections! Advertising sales: But that overdose of democracy may be coming to an Colin Regan end. As a consequence of the Brexit vote last June, the Tel: 07871 444922 / UK will not take part in the European elections in 2019. 01925 879830 And, barring another independence referendum – which “Scotland has gone to the polls Email: colinregan001@ appears more distant under Theresa May – the next yahoo.co.uk an unprecedented seven times time Scotland votes could be in four years’ time, at the 2021 Holyrood elections. in three years ...” Production: This respite in electioneering – replete as campaigns or have time to engage with policy makers or the Brexit Rob Beswick are with slogans, demands and point scoring – will process. But all will need to step up to the plate in the Tel: 0161 426 7957 / 07964 provide an opportunity to move on. Continued debate times ahead. Shareholders, investors, customers and 375216 and scrutiny is essential, but the stakes are now high. employees alike need to have confidence in those who Email: rob@chamber We should be unforgiving of those (whether in politics sit at the helm. What goes on in the Boardroom really mediaservices.co.uk or beyond) who are more interested in grandstanding matters. Directors – executive and non-executive alike and game-playing than with the business of delivering – have a responsibility to ensure that their business Although every effort is economic growth and a just society. strategy is future-proofed as best it can be. While made to ensure the accuracy An enormous job of work lies ahead. Managing Brexit necessarily an exercise in speculation, there is much that of material contained within while keeping the show on the road is a tall order. can be done to identify and mitigate the risks and to this magazine, neither IoD Never before has Government faced such a multi- exploit the opportunities which might lie ahead. Scotland nor Chamber Media faceted complex cocktail of change. Disentangling 40 For those who do want to become more involved in Services can accept any years of EU laws, regulations and institutions which are shaping wider policy and practice, opportunities will responsibility for omissions intertwined with virtually every area of the economy and abound. The doors of Government are more open to or inaccuracies in its editorial society, while simultaneously crafting new relationships business than ever before and professional bodies, trade or advertising content. with Europe and the rest of the world, is an undertaking organisations, academic researchers and others are now The views expressed in on a grand scale. The resources of Government and its tooling up for the task. Many, including the IoD, provide this publication are not agencies will be stretched to the limits. a vital conduit through which policymakers can get close necessarily those of It is noticeable – and welcome – that politicians and to those with real experience at the coal face. the IoD. The carriage of civil servants have been stepping up their engagement In Scotland especially, given our scale and our strong advertisements or editorials with business and with an array of organisations with business and leadership networks, there is tremendous in this publication does not knowledge, expertise and interests in this process. But it scope to work across sectors and boundaries to address constitute an endorsement will take more than an exponential growth in the challenges ahead. There are welcome signs that the of the products or services conferences, receptions, and roundtable meetings to UK and Scottish Governments – despite their advertised. address the detailed, technical, and frankly often dull differences – are co-operating in key areas. We need to and laborious, work which needs to be done. encourage more of that. Having both Governments in It’s time for everyone to roll up their sleeves. the same room is vital – not least on industrial strategy Cover: Party leaders in Of course, not every business leader will need, want and future arrangements for trade and the repatriation Scotland vie for your votes. of powers. Clockwise, from top left, Love or loathe Brexit, the fact is that it creates an Kezia Dugdale, Labour; Nicola “Love or loathe Brexit, the fact is imperative for a step change in the way that Scotland’s Sturgeon, SNP; Willie Rennie, that it creates an imperative for a leadership community works together, with each other LibDem; Patrick Harvie, and with policy makers. We have an unparalleled Greens; and Ruth Davidson, step change in the way that opportunity to craft new ways of business and Conservatives. Scotland’s leadership community government coming together to address real world Photos courtesy Labour challenges through a genuine process of ‘co-production’. Party/SNP/PA Images works together, with each other and with policy makers...” That, in itself, is a big prize. 04 WWW.IOD.COM Executive comment: What will it take to fix Scotland’s economy? With a General Election just around the corner, there’s an opportunity to reset the clock, says David Watt, Executive Director of the Institute of Directors in Scotland.
often make the case for leadership, and how it should be the supreme characteristic of all aspects of our civic life, particularly as we head into a very challenging few years Ifor our nation and its economy. However, things have changed – and a more urgent need for true leadership arises. Visionary leadership is the key to real progress for our nation and its economy. We have a right to demand it, and expect it to be demonstrated by our leaders in politics and the public, private and third sectors. We need some concentration on the long-term aim and less expediency. How often, if ever in recent times, do we hear of a long-term vision for our country, backed by substantive plans for achieving these aims? This type of direction is desperately needed to guide our country through the choppy waters we face right now. However, our political leaders often seem more intent on stirring up We must face up to the fact that Scotland is ‘geographically challenged’ and get air connections delivered. Norway has proved it can be done;x why can’t we? the water! We need leaders who drive transformation and are willing to force through and speed up “If Scotland was a business Their job is to make it easier for business to the changes needed to keep up with ever- succeed. increasing technological challenges and (and of course, it is), we • Fully utilise the band of ‘Global Scots’, opportunities. Recent figures have shown a would naturally develop a involving and engaging them properly in Scottish economy slowing dramatically and national business growth support of our economic needs. falling behind the rest of the UK, so some • Build Scotland’s international reputation direction is clearly required – and not just from plan agreed by all parties. for quality people skills and become known for the politicians. I’m sure that’s something excellent customer care, allowing us to exploit Boardrooms all over the country must focus that in tourism and so many other industries. on what they can do to reverse this trend. It’s business could get behind” • Keep an eye on the future - struggling to time to stop blaming the democratic cope with skills shortages does not do us any establishment for our problems, and step up to favours, particularly if importing specialist deliver our own vision and transformation. • Focus on what Scotland offers in bucket- skills may become more challenging in future. Business leaders can take some key steps to loads – quality of life, an excellent health We must plan our future workforce. drive forward positive initiatives. service, plus community and entrepreneurial To focus positively on business and economic To achieve progress and improve Scotland’s spirit. growth is essential for us all. If Scotland was a long term outcome, we need to: • Stop focusing on short-term outputs and business (and of course, it is), we would • Face up to the fact that Scotland is refocus on long-term outcomes, such as naturally develop a national business growth ‘geographically challenged’ and get air education and skills plan agreed by all parties. I’m sure that’s connections delivered. Norway has proved it • Dissuade Governments from trying to ‘do’ something business could get behind and take can be done, why can’t we? things and realise they should only facilitate. responsibility for driving forward together.
WWW.IOD.COM 05 News
FM on hand to open Scotland’s Funds boost for oil and gas Innovation new place in the City The Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF) and the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) have joined forces to fund and support the Scotland has officially opened its doors in development of innovations which could London, with the launch of Scotland House, a reduce costs, raise efficiency and improve new innovation and investment hub situated at safety and environmental performance. the heart of Victoria Embankment. A OGIC has made £1 million available to celebration of the centuries-old connections that support companies with projects that require have been built between London and Scotland, research and development to be undertaken the hub will provide a special place to develop at a Scottish university. It can fund up to 70% these ongoing relationships. of these costs, while ITF can potentially Global companies including JP Morgan, ‘top-up’ financial support if an innovative Morgan Stanley, Aviva and Amazon have all project engages the interest of its members. benefitted from the London-Scotland Ben Foreman, ITF Technology Manager, connection; having substantial operations in Scotland House said: “This is an exciting opportunity to both Scotland and London allows them to businesses it can be challenging and costly to try progress ideas from the desktop towards the maintain a presence in the City while taking and break into these markets. marketplace. The oil and gas industry has advantage of cost efficiencies of up to 30-40 per “The new hub will play a critical role in undergone tremendous changes over the past cent of running some operations from Scotland. attracting investment to Scotland, helping few years and new technology is crucial to see Scotland House will provide a base for businesses trade internationally and raising it become more efficient, sustainable and London companies to engage with Scotland and Scotland’s international profile. safer in the future. our ambitious companies, sectors and investors. Lena Wilson, chief executive, Scottish “We are now seeing a fresh focus and Hosting a dynamic business environment, it is Enterprise, said: “The opening of Scotland commitment to progress innovation. designed to promote collaboration and active House marks the start of an exciting new phase Financial support and knowledge from ITF, partnership between industry and academia, of growth and collaboration between Scotland OGIC and Scottish universities is invaluable extending Scotland’s approach into London. and London. to push forward those solutions and put them Opening Scotland House, First Minister “Together, Scotland and the City are a to work for the benefit of the industry.” Nicola Sturgeon said: “London is a very formidable force for tourism, trade, investment Applications are invited for all types of important trading market and a meeting place and collaboration and this new facility will innovation that will benefit the oil and gas for the world’s business leaders, but for Scottish provide the ideal platform to help take our industry. Supported innovations must involve partnership to the next level. research and/or development work in a Russell Dalgleish MIoD of the Scottish Scottish university. Business Network was at the launch of Scotland Ian Phillips MIoD, Chief Executive of House. He reports: “Within walking distance of OGIC, added: “This collaboration with ITF Pall Mall, I would encourage IoD members to offers developers an opportunity to access visit the facility and understand how best they OGIC funding and the engagement of ITF can use the space - which is stunning. industry members. Our complementary “As co-founder of Scottish Business Network offerings will support the development of we are already planning to hold one of our market relevant products and services. monthly events at Scotland House this year.” “This initiative should be seen as a call to action to the industry as a whole to embrace Left, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon checks smart solutions and alleviate barriers to out the view over the Thames implementation.”
Scottish Enterprise backs Art of Growth
Scottish Enterprise has awarded £250,000 of Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) funding to Axis Studios, one of the UK’s fastest growing animation and visual effects studios. The support deal, which was announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, will enable the Glasgow-based company to enter new international markets and open new revenue streams, and to create 20 new jobs over the next 12 months. Axis Studios has ambitious plans to further grow its business, reflected in the current doubling of its physical space at the Skypark in Glasgow to allow for a Scottish-based headcount of over 180 people. The company aims to dramatically increase turnover to over £15m by 2018, three times that of its 2015 turnover. The 20 new jobs created will comprise computer graphics artists, R&D development and production managers. “This is an incredibly exciting time for Axis,” said Axis CEO Richard Scott. “We’ve always had a ‘get out there and get it done’ attitude and the support from Scottish Enterprise has helped us achieve even more.”
06 WWW.IOD.COM IoD members offer: Special rates from Kantar Media
Sarah McColl, senior marketing and communications manager, tells us how Kantar Media has helped Sport Aberdeen take its press operations The team from Erskine to the next level ... Music & Media Studio (EMMS) with their Sport Aberdeen is a charitable leisure trust Enterprise Award delivering sport and physical activity services on behalf of Aberdeen City Council. My role is to deliver our value proposition to our stakeholders – that Young Scot Awards 2017 celebrates Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and our aspiring entrepreneurs changing lives through sport and physical activity. For the twelfth year running, the Sunday Mail EMMS is a Community Interest Company run Young Scot awards turned the spotlight onto the by young people for young people in the heart of What challenges were you outstanding achievements of Scotland’s young Renfrewshire. Officially constituted in 2014, experiencing before working with people. EMMS has developed a sustainable business Kantar Media? This year’s glittering event at Glasgow’s model offering training and hands on With so many different stakeholders Crowne Plaza and Clyde Auditorium witnessed volunteering experience for young people in the – from governing bodies, to members, to the inspiring stories of 36 finalists across 12 creative industry which will help them onto policy influencers – it was difficult to track categories. One of the keenest fought over was in further education and employment. the reach and impact of our PR activity the Enterprise category, which celebrated the Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young without complicated reporting structures. business flair and entrepreneurial passion of Scot, said: “The quality and diversity of all entries PR professionals should be 100% focused young people in helping others. The audience this year was absolutely outstanding and we were on winning the air war, not filling in Excel was thrilled by their groundbreaking work in blown away by the incredible stories we’ve heard. spreadsheets! areas such as healthcare and helping people to A huge congratulations to the Erskine Music & overcome barriers to participate in work and Media Studio for winning the Enterprise Award. What benefits have you seen since education. The work they are doing in their local community working with Kantar Media? The Erskine Music & Media Studio (EMMS) provides valuable experience for young people We’ve hugely simplified how we took away the Enterprise award following their and we are looking forward to seeing their communicate our message to our work in providing a modern, safe environment progress in the future”. stakeholders and, importantly, how we for young people to learn and socialise in their For more on the 2017 Sunday Mail Young Scot communicate internally. Kantar Media’s local community. Awards visit: youngscotawards.com analytics enable us to assess how our PR output is directly delivering ROI to the business, as well as helping us continually improve it. With digital PR really coming into its Inside track on business news own, Kantar Media allows us to track real-time impact on social media and map Scottish Business Insider has a launched a it against our earned press coverage. This is standalone live business news website, at incredibly important to us, particularly at a insider.co.uk. time when we’re trying to navigate the The free-to-use site will publish up-to-the- continually changing digital landscape. minute business news each day and provide the reporting, research, analysis and comment for What would you say to anyone which Insider is well known but with more of a thinking of using Kantar Media? lighter touch and irreverent tone at times. Do it! Kantar Media lets you take your Ken Symon, editor of Scottish Business Insider communications operation to the next and insider.co.uk said: “We are aiming to be the level. go-to website for all the news you need if you’re involved in business in Scotland. New offer to IoD members: “Insider.co.uk reports live business news and IoD members receive preferential analysis from throughout Scotland each business rates across Kantar Media’s media day in a way that is informed, incisive and there is a thirst for serious business news, monitoring and analysis services. insightful.” analysis and data. Contact Allan Rennie, managing director of Insider “Insider is not political but we have brilliant [email protected] publisher Media Scotland said: “At a time of team of journalists who will unashamedly or 020 7264 4853 for details. uncertainty over Brexit, Trump and Indyref2 champion Scottish business.”
WWW.IOD.COM 07 All about The 99ers.... and Behind the Desk with Bob Keiller
Introducing... the IoD’s 99ers...
The IoD stands for leadership, and understands the along the way benefit from IoD support and events fact that leaders come in many different guises these which will help their businesses thrive. days. Gone is the age when business leaders all fell Statistically, a great deal of start-up businesses into a roughly similar demographic. will fail. Often with smaller networks and less In the modern era of build-your-own, many are experience of the core leadership functions (finance, choosing the entrepreneurial route into business, HR, investor / stakeholder management, growth and in recognition of this, and the challenges that strategy, marketing, etc) the research, and the 99-ers leaders of start-up businesses face, IoD 99 was themselves, have identified a need for additional created. Since inception it has encouraged a support at the early stages. different, often younger, demographic into the IoD So, the IoD is keen to disrupt the data wherever – creating the foundation for tomorrow’s possible. membership of Scotland’s top business leaders. By launching IoD 99 in Scotland, we hope to play Over five years, the 99-ers take a journey from a significant part in supporting and developing the entry level (costing £99) up to full membership, and leaders of tomorrow.
Meet Scotland’s 99-ers The next generation of business some time, she has felt passionately that the Name: Calum Leslie finance industry needs to make some Business name: Xcask leaders and entrepreneurs adjustments to better serve those who need Established: 2015 help the most in saving. The business she is building will innovate to help form new Elevator Pitch: It’s the Embracing the 99-er opportunity are investment habits for those currently whisky subscription club that two of Scotland’s brightest start-ups. disengaged with their finances and unwilling or delivers a box of single cask Here they tell us what the future has in unable to save. Scotch directly to your door, every store, and how the IoD is helping to month. play a part in their future Reason(s) for joining the Each box comes with 8 drams where each business success. IoD: Fantastic location, inspiring dram is a sip of history and once gone is never office space to work and grow my again to be repeated. With over 100 whiskies in Name: Anna Graziano idea at this early stage, with the our portfolio, we are literally opening the doors Company: Bravety Group Ltd added benefit of networking with to some of the world’s finest distilleries. We are Established: 2017 great people who are helping me the 21st century whisky club. along my journey. Elevator Pitch: Anna has a Reason(s) for joining the IoD: Networking strong pedigree in growing Five-year plan in five words:To opportunities with a group of like-minded successful FinTech businesses. For change the savings culture. individuals, availability of workspace for meetings and access to resources that will help us to scale.
Five-year plan in five words:The world’s largest whisky club.
“We are literally opening the Want to know more? doors to some of the world’s IoD99 membership is designed to finest distilleries. We are the actively support young entrepreneurs 21st century whisky club...” aged 18-40, who might not have previously held senior roles in Calum Leslie companies. 99-ers must be the founder or co-founder of a business, with an annual turnover of less than £3m, established for fewer than five years, and cannot have been an IoD member in the last two years. Find out more about the 99-ers at https://www.iod.com/membership/ iod-99
08 WWW.IOD.COM Behind the Desk Bob Keiller: 10 steps from good to great
give something back in a way that makes a over many years who have helped me in many Name: Bob Keiller difference. ways. Position: Chairman I work with business incubators, SMEs, One taught me the benefit of seeing issues Company: Scottish Enterprise scale-up companies, charities and public sector from multiple angles, another helped me to Employees: 1259 organisations by mentoring, coaching, training understand how to lead an organisation and hosting workshops and talks about four through a downturn while another helped me Career history: days a week. realise that you can accelerate the development 1986-90 BP of great teams. 1990-93 TFCW Consultants What makes a good leader great? 1993-2002 Amerada Hess Terms like “good” and “great” are subjective What is the ‘next big thing’ that will 2002-06 Director Halliburton (led MBO to – in business it has taken me some time to try transform your sector? create PSN in 2006) and distil the factors that I feel can make a Digitisation will change our world – and it 2006-2011 CEO, PSN (sale of PSN leader effective. When I am doing talks on has just begun. Many jobs we need today will to Wood Group) leadership they usually cover some of the ten disappear while many new, as-yet undefined, 2011-2015 Wood Group director/CEO areas listed below. jobs will be needed. 2016-date Chairman Scottish Enterprise Purpose: Having a clear purpose, clearly This will be disruptive and will present defined values and a compelling strategy threats and opportunities. Culture: Creating a culture that is based on the agreed values and principles. Role- What leadership advice would you give your Short overview of organisation: modelling the required behaviours. younger self? Scotland’s national economic development Perceptiveness: Looking for, seeking out It’s all about people and teams. Be good at agency. We aim to deliver a significant, lasting and seeing – the bigger picture, from multiple your job, sure, but being great with people, the effect on the Scottish economy. Our role is to viewpoints, the historical perspective, for so-called ‘soft skills’, are actually the hard ones help identify and exploit the best opportunities connections and patterns that make the biggest difference. for economic growth. Communication: Managing all your Improve your presentation skills – work We support ambitious Scottish companies to stakeholder relationships – communication is hard to make every presentation you deliver compete within the global marketplace and hard work memorable and compelling. help build Scotland’s globally competitive Change: Leading change – taking hearts Present with passion – show you sectors. and minds with you is all important. care for the subject matter! We also work with a range of partners in the Customers: Focusing obsessively on public and private sectors to attract new customers investment to Scotland and to help create a Trust: Earning Trust – how do you do world-class business environment. this? Teams: Building great teams What is the greatest recurring challenge you Time: Controlling your time come across in your role, and what’s your Storytelling: The power of strategy for dealing with it? business storytelling I often talk to leaders who are unsure about the ‘next step’ for their organisation. Have you had a By asking lots of ‘daft laddie’ questions I can mentor, and help them to understand what they CAN do what did he/ rather than what they can’t. she add to your development? Who, or what, drives you or inspires you? I have had I get great satisfaction from seeing people get many mentors, on in life and in business and so want to help coaches and and inspire others where I can. unpaid Many people have helped me and I want to advisors
“Be good at your job, sure, but being great with people, the so-called ‘soft skills’, are actually the hard ones that make the biggest difference”
WWW.IOD.COM 09 IoD Scotland Election focus
Decision time: Party leaders share their vision with the IoD
IoD Scotland asked the five leading parties in the forthcoming General Election to put their case to business leaders as the country prepares to go to the polls on June 8.
Low-tax promises will boost Scotland’s economy
Ruth Davidson And while we have this range of positive ideas we see healthy economic growth across the rest Leader of the Scottish for the future of Scotland’s business community, of the UK, Scotland is just one quarter away from we simply cannot ignore the risks posed. recession. Conservatives Yes, Brexit raises significant questions, but it However, the obsession with separation drives also brings opportunities across a range of this even further, throwing up trade barriers with We believe economic growth has to be driven industries, particularly fishing and agriculture. the rest of the UK, which is four times more both locally and nationally. But the darkest cloud on the horizon is created valuable to Scotland’s businesses than the EU. At the recent council elections we returned by the SNP and its complete unwillingness to And that’s not to mention a hiking of personal representatives in record numbers, all of whom take the threat of a second independence and business taxes to cope with the massive stood on a detailed manifesto prioritising local referendum off the table. black hole an independent Scotland would have. growth. The party is already harming Scotland’s These are all reasons why businesses north of And now, as we approach another election economy by making us the highest-taxed part of the border will be best served by a Conservative – this time for Westminster – boosting the the UK, along with punishing organisations of all government in June, with Scotland’s place in the economy is going to be at the forefront of sizes with a range of anti-business measures. As UK as its absolute priority. people’s minds. We believe firmly in a low-tax economy, for firms of all sizes and the workers they employ. That’s why we see cutting corporation tax as key to that, particularly as the UK prepares for a new start after coming out of the European Union. The tax regime has to be right, but so do the skills that our young people possess as they enter the world of work. We want to see greater partnership between education and business, so pupils and students are equipped for the needs of modern workforce. “Yes, Brexit raises significant questions, but it also brings That means more participation in STEM opportunities... the darkest cloud on the horizon is created subjects, and making sure workers have the right skillset to deal with changing global practices by the SNP and its unwillingness to take the threat of a and trends. second independence referendum off the table...”
10 WWW.IOD.COM Support small businesses – and curb fossil fuels
Patrick Harvie reality it can be a huge opportunity for handful of giant businesses fails to meet the Scottish Greens’ Co-convenor investment in new, high quality and lasting jobs investment needs of the real economy. for the future. Businesses that are willing and Greens don’t see economic activity as an end Small, independent businesses with their roots able to innovate instead of merely defending in itself, with success measured by narrow in the communities they serve are absolutely their status quo will be able to realise these metrics like GDP. We want an inclusive economy essential for the strong, resilient local economies opportunities. that taps everyone’s potential and meets we need. Scottish Greens believe we need to We will continue to push both the UK and everyone’s needs. create an economic revival and Scottish Governments to support this Brexit has further endangered our economy; thousands of jobs by focusing on transition in ways which reduce that much is certain, and the Conservatives’ rural and urban small business wealth and income inequalities, internal party squabbles have triggered an growth. and prevent the worst effects of opportunistic snap election and a power grab to Yet in our councils, in the climate change. undermine both Parliaments. Scottish Government and its In this transition, there’s Nevertheless, the election is another chance to agencies, and at Westminster, great potential in recognised highlight radical Green proposals to develop taxpayers’ money is being used to ‘green’ industries such as reuse small businesses and transform our economy. benefit giant multinationals, and and recycling, sustainable food the tax regime allows them to production and green energy, but crowd out other businesses without also in areas like clean chemical “The election is another paying back into the common good. sciences, digital and creative industries, opportunity to highlight The urgent need to transition Scotland’s and modern efficient construction. economy away from a dependency on fossil fuels Financial services remain an important part Green proposals to develop is too often seen as a problem or a threat; in of our economy, but here again domination by a small businesses”
Investment banks will unlock potential Kezia Dugdale To multiply its economic mismanagement, economy. We would use consequential funds to Scottish Labour Leader Nicola Sturgeon has now introduced the provide £37million of relief for firms facing prospect of an unwanted and divisive second business rates increases. independence referendum. And we would make education a top priority Businesses in Scotland face an unprecedented At a time when businesses need certainty, she to ensure people have the skills Scottish level of uncertainty. Both at Holyrood and has created doubt. businesses need. Westminster, ideological nationalism has been The uncomfortable truth for Nicola Sturgeon A Labour Government would establish a prioritised above economic growth. is independence would not fix the economic National Investment Bank and Regional Theresa May’s pursuit of a hard Brexit – a UK woes created on her watch – it would only Investment Banks across the UK, to help unlock outside of the single market – is a major threat compound them. £500 billion of investment and lending, to our economy. Our current unrestricted access Breaking up the UK would cause turbo- including a £20billion Scottish Investment to the world’s largest trading block provides charged austerity in Scotland which would be Bank. This would rebuild industries, grow firms with extraordinary opportunities. But it bad for businesses. businesses and renew our country’s also provides us with greater economic The SNP still has no answer to how it would infrastructure. clout when competing with emerging clear Scotland’s £15billion deficit. That’s the difference a Labour government powers like China and India. While trade with the EU is would make, and a vision for the future which I Theresa May’s vision for a important for Scottish firms, trade hope businesses share. post-Brexit UK addresses none within the UK is worth four times of these issues. as much. Yet the risks of Brexit are In contrast to both the Tories far outweighed by the risks of and the SNP, Scottish Labour has “We would make education independence. Under the SNP, a pro-business platform and a a top priority to ensure Scotland’s economy has plan to grow our economy. stagnated and worryingly, is on We would use the new powers of people have the skills the brink of recession. the Scottish Parliament to invest in the Scottish businesses need”
WWW.IOD.COM 11 IoD Scotland election focus
Progressive, internationalist and open Willie Rennie My party has consistently made the case for a provide to transformative investment in education. It has businesses. Leader, Scottish Liberal Democrats slipped. However, new powers mean we have the While the chance to invest hundreds of millions of pounds Tories and This election is a chance to change the direction to make Scottish education the best again, help nationalists offer of our country. The best thing we can do for people achieve their potential and enable propositions that business is to keep our country open and businesses to find the skills they need. This would each harm our internationalist. includes repairing our colleges, where 152,000 economy, we stand with the Liberal Democrats are opposed to new places have been lost under the SNP. majority opinion in this country. This election is barriers to doing business, particularly with our As well as investing in people’s talents, a chance to give businesses a brighter future. nearest neighbours. Cutting ties with our biggest business needs government to invest in their economic markets makes no sense in terms of wellbeing too. 643,000 days a year are lost to trade, jobs, prices or incomes. depression alone – just one mental health The Liberal Democrats are the only party that condition. However, the Scottish Government’s is pro-UK, pro-EU and progressive. new blueprint for mental health services for the Meanwhile, official figures show Scotland on next decade was panned for its lack of ambition “While the Tories and the brink of a recession. There have been a string and detail. That’s why the long-term plan to nationalists offer propositions of warnings about the fragility of the economy, support business must also involve serious that would each harm our business confidence and skills shortages. That is investment in mental health. why we need a long-term plan to build a strong Our manifesto for the General Election sets economy, we stand with the economy. out in detail the full range of support that we will majority opinion“
Crucial to build on our reputation for innovation Nicola Sturgeon First Minister of Scotland and Leader, SNP “The election is a chance to stand up for Scotland’s business and Scotland is already a country that encourages economic interests in the face of the entrepreneurship and is well established as an attractive place to do business and to invest. And Tories’ chaotic Brexit negotiations” as a nation, our reputation for innovation has long been recognised internationally, so it is crucial that we seek to build on that profile. In Government, the SNP has sought to capitalise on our key economic strengths, and in this year as well as increasing the number of many businesses across Scotland are dreading. recent years Scotland has been among the top funded Modern Apprenticeships to 30,000. We The election on June 8 is a chance to stand up destinations across the UK, outside of London, will also continue to support our successful for Scotland’s business and economic interests in for foreign direct investment. Meanwhile, under renewables industry in the face of Westminster the face of the Tories’ chaotic Brexit negotiations, the SNP, productivity – a key driver of growth – cuts, while we have also extended the SNP’s which pose the biggest threat to our economy in is 9.4 per cent higher than before the recession, Small Business Bonus Scheme, which has at least a generation. while the rest of the UK has seen productivity already saved businesses more than £1bn. And it is more important than ever that SNP more or less flatline. The SNP will continue to be a bulwark against MPs are elected in large numbers to protect Scotland has one of the most highly educated the Tories’ reckless plans for an economically Scotland from the danger posed by an unfettered workforces in Europe and the SNP will continue disastrous hard Brexit, which threatens 80,000 Conservative government with a potentially to support our universities with £1bn investment Scottish jobs over a decade and which many, increased majority.
12 WWW.IOD.COM
Spotlight: Doug Whyte, CEO, Hydro Group
The secret of business? Never stop learning
IoD Director of the Year Doug Whyte talks to Direction’s Rob Beswick about the excitement of doing business in Asia, the challenges facing Scotland and why stretching your staff is the best motivational technique
oug Whyte was in fine form when he It must have been a convincing story, as the gave up some of his busy working day judges were unanimous in their decision to to talk to Direction about the Hydro name Doug their winner. That straightforward, Group, its success and his views on life no-nonsense approach has stood Doug well Das a director in general. over the years he has been at the helm of the That good humour was in part down to his Hydro Group. return the previous day from a business trip Where did the firm start? “I founded the around Asia, a part of the world that always company in 1982 as Hydro Bond Engineering. inspires him, he said. There were just a handful of staff then, working “Asia is such an exciting, vibrant place. It can on electrical engineering projects for sub-sea be difficult to do business, sure, but there is a applications in the oil and gas sector.” can-do attitude that’s infectious. Doug’s background was in electrical “The whole business ethos is about growth engineering, and the challenge of solving and the way Thailand, Vietnam and others are complicated customer demands in what is a transforming their cities is incredible. There’s tough natural environment was something that something new every time I go. has long appealed him – and still does to this “Only problem is, on my return to the UK, I day. tend to find myself coming back down to earth Today, the core work of the company with a bit of a dull thump!” remains as it was in 1982: designing and Blame the weather. But that negative manufacturing cables, connectors and thought is surely not connected to the Hydro penetrators for underwater use. As well as the thrown away £30,000-worth of work. But I Group, which has seen steady growth in oil and gas sectors the Hydro Group also works don’t look at it as a loss: every time you find out turnover, profits, products and workforce since in the defence and renewables sectors. To a that something doesn’t work, you’ve learned its launch. They’re all the hallmarks of a great layman, the equipment manufactured – and something new. Life, and business, is all about business and the qualities that saw Doug the challenging environment it which it has to learning.” named Director of the Year in the Large operate – sound impossible to construct, but The business’s ability to adapt is helped by Company category at the recent IoD Scotland that challenge is what Doug and his team thrive its flat management structure, which puts huge awards. on. responsibility on individual employees’ Rather, the negativity stems from a “One of the things we are very proud of at the shoulders. “In many ways each member of the frustration at aspects of the current business Hydro Group is that we have a very low team is like its own small business unit, landscape – but more on that later. To begin, turnover of staff, and part of that I put down to working on their projects and using their skills, that Director of the Year award. the technical challenges we throw at our people solving technical problems as they go.” “It wasn’t something I set out to win,” he all the time. There’s something to learn every That means that staff can never rest on their recalls. “I didn’t enter; I was nominated. I just day: we are forever testing and researching new laurels. “We are forever being asked to solve gave the judging panel a straightforward materials, new concepts. new problems by our customers, or change a account of the business’s growth and plans for “A lot end up in the bin – and I can have design to fulfil a new application. But while it the future.” finance tearing their hair out because we’ve just sounds complicated it’s just a process like any
14 WWW.IOD.COM :“A lot of our research ends up in the bin: :– and I can have finance tearing their: hair out because we’ve just thrown: away £30,000-worth of work. But I: don’t look at it as a loss: every time: :you find out that something doesn’t: :work, you’ve learned something new.: :Life, and business, is all about learning.”:
other, one you can learn from.” “We’ve never been into massive growth plans; all our growth While the oil and gas sector was its principal market to begin with, Hydro Group has jumped has been incremental and very gradual. We’ve entered new at the chance to get involved with the defence markets when it has made sense to do so, and done it very and renewables sectors, too. “It’s been a hard steadily.” time for oil and gas,” he admits. “There’s been lots of bad news and certainly I can see the oil price staying at the $50 a barrel mark for a while “We’ve never been into massive growth plans; cash we could afford to invest in new projects yet. When you hear that Keppel Offshore and all our growth has been incremental and very and products.” Marine (the world’s biggest oil rig builder) is gradual. We’ve entered new markets when it has That slow, gradual approach is heartening to closing shipyards and laying off 18,000 people made sense to do so, and done it very steadily.” hear when so often we hear about companies worldwide, you know the industry’s contraction The Director of the Year judges remarked on falling flat after embarking on a helter-skelter isn’t going to end any time soon.” an ‘honest and straightforward assessment of the race for growth they can’t sustain. It also breeds That’s one of the reasons why the Hydro business’ ; more evidence of that here? “Yes, you a patient attitude that stands it in good stead Group has diversified into new sectors – though could say that. Our growth has always been paid when bidding for new work – particularly in the entering new markets wasn’t all part of some for out of our own pockets. We’ve never chased defence sector. grand masterplan. investment or finance. We always grew out of Continued on page 16
WWW.IOD.COM 15 Spotlight: Doug Whyte, MD, Hydro Group
“The skills gap is a major worry. We have been training our own apprentices since well before it was fashionable to do so...”
Continued from page 15 “We are working with BAe on its new Dreadnought class of submarines but it has been a long process – it’s taken around 15 years to get ourselves in there. You’ve got to be patient!” The huge rise in renewable energy schemes around the world has given Hydro Group another sector to target – though they are no newcomers to this particular party. “We first started working in what was known as ‘Wecs and Tecs’ (Wave energy convertors and Tidal energy convertors) in 1994. There is a huge political will to see this sector grow now, which export is something that baffles Doug. “I heard career, what advice would he give any aspiring perhaps there hasn’t been before. someone say the other day that just four per directors at the start of theirs? “Have empathy. “Early renewable projects weren’t always cent of Scotland’s businesses export. Just four Understand the other’s point of view. Whether successful but they are large enough now for per cent! That’s incredible. We claim we want it is your colleagues around the boardroom the big players to get involved; the economies- to compete with Germany – well, around 30 table, your workforce or your suppliers. of-scale advantages are now huge. We’re seeing per cent of German businesses export. That’s a “When you get to board level, you tend to be a lot of simpler, more reliable projects coming big difference.” there because you are good at something - on line which we can get involved with.” The landscape in which UK businesses you’re a good engineer, for example. But you’ve Being able to keep his workforce up to speed operate needs a lot of looking at, says Doug. got to sit there and listen to other people’s with new challenges such as those posed by this “Having just come back from Asia I wonder if points of view, understand where they are growing sector is one of Doug’s biggest the UK is still as attractive a place to invest in coming from. challenges. “The skills gap is a major worry. We as it once was. Business rates are a scandal – “That same attitude needs to translate into have been training our own apprentices since they are a tax on jobs. I think councils just see how you deal with customers. It will give you a well before it was fashionable to do so, but one businesses as awash with cash that can be better understanding of their needs. Be straight of the reasons for that is our skills needs are tapped when they need it. and honest with everyone you deal with. unique. “Red tape is another problem that holds “At Hydro Group we’ve had customers who “We don’t expect our apprenticeships to business back. can be difficult but we take the attitude, get deliver us a finished product, rather a “The fact is, most small businesses are just them through the front door, ‘smother them in well-rounded individual who has a good ticking over, barely making a profit. You hear cream’, as the saying goes, be honest and grounding in the basics. politicians talk about helping small businesses straight with them and they’ll be the same with “We need good team players with a thirst for but in reality, what practical measure do they you in the end. I include suppliers in that: treat knowledge, who are looking forward to the introduce to help? Over half the workforce them like they are part of your team.” technical challenges ahead.” works in SMEs but who is out there fighting for So if he stood down from the business and That desire to rise to the technical challenge them? got the job as First Minister/Prime Minister for has clearly kept Doug hungry for a long time, “Politicians just create taxes, red tape, and a day, what would he prioritise? “I’d take the but what other challenges does the business let it wash over people who are struggling to day off!,” he said. “No, if I had one thing I could face? Brexit? cope. It is very frustrating.” do, or get politicians to do, it is to help them “You can adapt to most challenges in our Looking to the future, where does he see understand better how business works, what field – you research, you test – but others, you himself and the business going? “Me? really matters to SMEs. There needs to be an just have to get on with it and stop moaning. Retiring!” he says laughing. “Seriously, I’ve emphasis on the impact Governments have on Brexit’s one of them. Yes, I can see the been looking at how to step out of the business small businesses; too many are vulnerable at challenges but let’s look at the advantages. In for a while. We have taken succession planning the moment. recent months the value of Sterling has fallen, very seriously and promoted good people to “What worries me is, I’d be tempted to say to which has made my products more cost- senior positions. I know the business won’t my children don’t be an entrepreneur, as effective for overseas buyers. Export pricing is collapse without me around.” there’s no support out there for you. easier. That’s an advantage. My advice would So as he nears the end of his own business “That’s sad, isn’t it?” be, don’t get bogged down with the negatives surrounding Brexit.” I point out that perhaps, for a global player “I heard someone say the other day that just four per with big interests in every continent, the loss of cent of Scotland’s businesses export. Just four per EU markets might not be as acute as for some other businesses. “Yes, that’s true but Europe is cent! That’s incredible. We claim we want to compete important for us. However, we are protected a with Germany – well, around 30 per cent of German little.” The fact that so many businesses don’t businesses export. That’s a big difference.”
16 WWW.IOD.COM When the family splits ...
who’s safeguarding your business assets?
Jenny Broatch, Family Law relationship break down. with a Prenuptial or Cohabitation Agreement, Specialist at Pagan Osborne Cohabiting business owners should also be which will set out who owns what, and in what discusses contingency cautious as the law has changed. The Family proportion covering aspects such as bank Law (Scotland) Act 2006 created new rights for accounts, property, pension and debts. planning your relationship to cohabitants regarding the maintenance and These agreements are legal contracts protect business assets. redistribution of assets. This particular designed to set out how a couple would legislation is now over 10 years old but there’s a organise their affairs and divide their assets if lack of awareness that it even exists. the relationship were to end. Often people When it comes to strategic planning, business This law gives an estranged partner the right choose to ‘ring fence’ pre-relationship assets owners and executives are astute in making to raise a court action against their former and a business should be included in this. realistic projections and forecasts for the years partner, within a year of their separation to These types of prenuptial agreements are still ahead – indeed, contingency planning is seek financial compensation from them. not regarded as the norm. standard practice. Broadly speaking, economic disadvantage However, they are particularly relevant to However, one common theme we’re seeing would have to be demonstrated. The law is those who are bringing a business interest to more and more as family lawyers is that the somewhat unsettled, with no clear pattern of the relationship. same clear-headed strategic approach is not case law yet to emerge, thus increasing the risks A recent case saw a food sales business, set always applied to the protection of business to cohabitants. up pre-marriage, argued to be matrimonial assets in the context of personal relationships. It is easy to see that things have changed property. The husband changed the nature of Many relationships come to an end and it is over the last 30 years when people married and the business during the marriage, made his important to think about how that could impact set up home together in their early 20s. As wife a company director. If he had kept his wife on your business interests. many people now marry or cohabit later in life, out of the business, then the value of it would Many married business owners may make there are more complicated assets to consider. not have been brought into the split of assets on tax efficient decisions while all is well in their Often, we see people who’ve married or his subsequent separation. personal lives. If a spouse is brought into a cohabited a second or third time so their legal Every case will be different, so taking advice partnership to reduce tax liabilities, they may and financial considerations are even more from a lawyer is paramount. have inadvertently ‘converted’ the business into complicated. a matrimonial asset, which will be considered There are ways to minimise the legal and For more details, see in the allocation of assets should the financial issues around this potential minefield www.paganosborne.com
“One common theme we’re seeing more and more is that the same clear-headed strategic approach is not always applied to the protection of business assets in the context of personal relationships. ”
WWW.IOD.COM 17 Technical briefings: Data analysis and education
Data analytics are driving the future
If data is the raw material every Data is revolutionising how companies make When it comes to data, there are a few investment decisions, operate financial controls questions businesses should ask in order to business craves, then data and conduct their back-office processes. challenge themselves and adapt to this new analysis is the task that puts it It’s not all positive though. The amount of world. What does the business exist to do and to work, says Fraser Nicol, power companies gain from holding this data is there a clear strategy? What data does the has led to increased concerns about individual business generate through its operation that is Partner, Scott-Moncrieff privacy and fair access to services across used to support this strategy, and how could society. In many cases, the current regulatory this be put to good use? and legal frameworks were designed in a Could your service offering be carried out Data has been described as the ‘new oil’ given completely different era – before the internet better by a competitor if they had access to the fact that we are generating more now than was a factor of daily life. different or more data? Additionally, if data ever before. Apps on our phones capture the As a result, a significant tightening of data could be used to automate key business minutiae of our daily lives, fitness data tracks privacy law is currently underway and it pays to processes, would accelerating these current our movements and social media data captures stay up to date. In some cases, breaching the processes be enough, or could this power be our downtime. rules could lead to financial penalties that could used to do things completely new or differently? Further to this, sites such as Google and easily put a small or medium-sized business out Scottish businesses have the potential to be Amazon log our browsing history, allowing of operation. at the forefront of data revolution, if they are tailored suggestions on products and services Generating and holding large quantities of not already. We are producing businesses and to be made. this valuable commodity also enhances the graduates to work within them who understand This willingness to share and propensity to threat of cyber-attacks and data breaches, with not just the questions, but also how to answer generate vast pools of data is what makes the incidences of ransomware on the increase. Any them. ‘oil’ analogy so appropriate. Like oil, data is not organisation working with third parties will Pair this knowledge with the benefits derived valuable in itself. What makes it valuable is its need to consider not only their own measures from data analytics, AI and big data, and we potential. And if data is the new oil, then data to manage these risks but also those of their have the potential to unlock something truly analytics is the ability to refine and exploit that partners. great. oil. The process of analysis yields insights that enable less risky, more profitable, decision making and allows the use of such data to make a business processes run faster. “A significant tightening of data privacy law is currently Businesses, large and small, are using the underway and it pays to stay up to date. In some cases, huge amounts of data they control to drive their breaching the rules could lead to financial penalties that businesses, customer strategies, decision making and accurate planning. could easily put an SME out of operation...”
18 WWW.IOD.COM Developing the Young Workforce
You may have heard the phrase Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) — but what exactly is DYW?
In January 2013, the Scottish Government set up The Education Working for All! — Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. Through extensive consultations with leading figures in education, business and equalities groups, the Commission outlined the importance of vocational education and its role in the Scottish education system. and Scotland’s economy more dynamic. SQA qualifications sit at various levels, allowing the Developing the Young Workforce — Scotland’s learner to move from one qualification to the next or to Youth Employment Strategy (DYW) includes the change paths at an equivalent level. detailed plans, agreed with local government, to implement the Commission’s recommendations. DYW DYW Regional Support aims to improve the options available to young people, SQA Regional Managers are actively involved in all of and reduce youth unemployment by preparing young the DYW Regional Groups across Scotland. Every business people for the workplace, giving them the skills that working with SQA has a dedicated Account Manager who employers need. can advise on the best possible journey for enhancing any industry’s young workforce. This single point of contact SQA Journeys will take the time to get to know each business and how it SQA is a key partner for DYW. It is uniquely placed to works. SQA can then provide the best possible advice and support DYW because it already works closely with guidance for qualifications and skills development at a training providers, employers, colleges and schools, as local level relevant to that business. well as local authorities and SDS. SQA understands the needs of learners and employers. Working together, SQA and Scotland’s businesses can It can help one group to help the other, with the aim of give Scotland a more productive, more reliable and more creating a more qualified, more motivated and more skilled workforce. productive workforce. A wide range of robust, relevant and respected SQA qualifications link directly into DYW. They are designed More about SQA: and continually reviewed in partnership with industry to develop the workplace skills and experience needed in the see www.sqa.org.uk/journeys real working world to make businesses more competitive
“Every business working with SQA has a dedicated Account Manager who can advise on the best possible journey for enhancing any industry’s young workforce. This single point of contact will take the time to get to know each business and how it works. SQA can then provide the best possible advice and guidance for qualifications and skills development relevant to that business...”
WWW.IOD.COM 19 Company Profile: AM Bid Services
Exponential growth from helping to win bids!
David Sole OBE, AM Bid Services launched in October Non-Executive 2014 to provide expert bidding Chairman (centre) assistance to organisations large and with Andrew small. The company was founded by Morrison (second Andrew Morrison, one of the UK’s left), Managing leading bid experts, fresh from an Director, and the award-winning stint managing most of AM Bid Services the bidding function at British Gas. team The business is both award winning and high growth, with turnover on track for £450k+ in its third year. Changes to Scotland’s procurement legislation have considerably increased the number of opportunities which must go through a public tender process and the private sector is now also utilising bidding processes more frequently. We talked to Andrew to find out how giving back to the local communities, eg, in new helpful at busy times. We can also provide AM Bid Services is helping organisations jobs, apprenticeships and utilising the local interim bid staff when you need someone in develop and improve their bidding supply chain. Brexit is starting to appear in your organisation for a temporary period, as capabilities. some winning bid responses too, looking at well as help with bid recruitment. Sometimes, how the bidder can cope with exchange rate we are brought in to help on the client side, Question: What is the size fluctuations and potential reduced access to the advising on best ways to optimise the of the bidding prize? EU labour market. procurement process. Andrew: Each year the Scottish public sector puts £11 billion of goods and services out Question: What is your ‘Top Tip’ for Question: Which sectors do you have to tender, with a further £200 billion in the bidding? bidding experience in? wider UK public sector. The private sector Andrew: ‘Super bidders’ have an Andrew: In the past six months alone, we figure is unknown, but significant. Long-term organisation that ‘Thinks Bid’, so it is just not have handled accountancy, architecture, care & contracts with clients who always pay helps the Bid Team and senior staff who are support, City Deal funding, cleaning, drive business growth. providing content for bids. The net is cast much construction, education, environmental, wider in the business so that examples of good housing maintenance, IT, legal, mechanical & Question: What difficulties practice, resolving problems and customer engineering, nhs, printing, telecoms, transport do bidders face? testimonials find their way into bids. and water bids. Bring the bid to us and we will Andrew: Quite a number, including more provide you with a quotation within 24 hours, bids than they have resources to complete; Question: We have a Bid Team and pretty with a menu of options for our services. short timescales; complex bid documents and good win rates; could we still benefit from submission requirements; and not being sure your services? Question: Finally, what is the David Sole exactly what the buyers are looking for. Andrew: Absolutely! We provide a Bid Gap connection? Analysis Review which will give you an external Andrew: I met David at a business event Question: How can you help? assessment of where your bids can be last December at a time when we were looking Andrew: We demystify the bidding process improved. This can help inform your bid to appoint a Non-Executive Chairman. David is by deconstructing the client-issued documents. strategy. We can provide Bid Training for your an outstanding coach and business expert who We then help present your business in a staff. We offer both Full Bid Writing Services is helping us set the strategy for scaling the compelling way. We focus on client hot buttons, and Review, Edit & Improve Services – very business in line with client needs. bid win themes, customer value propositions, USPs, key differentiators, managing risk, added value and innovation. We also suggest Want to know more? well-placed clarification questions that can help level the playing field – it’s important that Speak to us today for a FREE, confidential consultation bidders are not making wrong assumptions, so getting utmost clarity from the buyer helps Contact: David Gray, Bid Development Director remove any doubts around the interpretation of E: [email protected] the requirements. T: 07921 624 099 W: www.ambidservices.co.uk Question: What current trends are you seeing in bidding? Andrew: Buyers are under increasing pressure to drive value from the procurement process, so the correct combination of price and quality is key. Community Benefits have AM Bid Services @AMBidServices AM Bid Services been introduced to ensure that bidders are 20 WWW.IOD.COM
Technical briefing
Dell’s three steps to entrepreneurial heaven
Bill Magee reports from Michael Dell - inspirational Silicon Valley on the and challenging business strategy of one of the titans of the tech industry, Michael Dell
Michael Dell marked the first anniversary since he recorded Silicon Valley’s largest ever tech takeover to reflect on his entrepreneurial ‘golden rules’ for lasting start-up success, culminating in the tech veteran landing EMC Corporation for a cool $67 billion. In 1984 a then 19-year-old Dell decided to mark the end of his freshman year in dorm room 273 at University of Texas by acting on an idea he had and using $1,000 saved to launch the PC manufacturing company that to this day carries his name. Fast forward and 33 years later the billionaire has been described as having an ‘interesting management style’, one more akin to the boss of a fast emerging start-up than a global giant in this data-driven, mobile-focused digital age. We’re talking about a $50 billion “Even breakthrough business open, affordable and accessible technologies. business with 100,000 employees operating in New and interesting opportunities almost 170 countries before going private – the largest ideas begin with solving a always start with a problem. Find one you think company ever to do so – re-emerging around 12 common problem - the you can fix and you’re well on your way. months ago with market leader in cloud Step 3: Find a Purpose - It’s purpose computing and IT data storage solutions EMC bigger the problem, the that brings fulfillment. Dell’s has always on board. bigger the opportunity...” been to enable human potential by accelerating He alluded to his approach here when he the adoption of technology on a global scale, in gave the keynote speech at Dell EMC World, turn opening the door to growth, productivity staged at the Valley’s ‘retreat’ Las Vegas, also and opportunity for people everywhere. thanks to his alma mater for supplying his Three decades-plus later Dell still stands by thoughts given to students over the years. “banging around” on his father’s adding those 3Ps, which he says inspired him then and Dell urges anyone wishing to become an machine: he’d type in an equation, the device continue to do so today. It’s all enhanced by a entrepreneur should try things, not worry made some cool noises and out came the social media ‘command centre’ the company about getting everything correct and learn from answer. “I was hooked,” he recalls. has created based on listening and engaging experience. How fast you learn is the Today he is passionate about delivering with customers from all over the world. The differentiator, as opposed to making every technology solutions his customers need, company interacts with two BILLION decision correctly. If you’re waiting for remaining energised by all the great things that customers annually and Dell told me he someone else’s advice to become an “enable” in the world. answers many emails personally! entrepreneur, chances are you’re not one. Step 2: Find a Problem and Fix It. Even There are a few things that distinguish breakthrough business ideas begin with real entrepreneurs. Dell calls them his Step 1: solving a common problem - the “three Ps.” Endowed with these, you Find a Passion. bigger the problem, the bigger the will not have to ask anyone’s opportunity. In Dell’s case advice before pursuing your Step 2: Find a personal and business dream. Step 1: Find a Passion. Problem and Fix It. computing needs have Work/life balance? Entrepreneurs Step 3: Find a Purpose. radically changed, but he have a real passion so work It’s purpose that employs the same approach: doesn’t feel like work: it’s brings create modern data centres and n You can catch Bill energising and fun, crazy hours to commercial software, services Magee’s Daily someone else but there’s nothing else Fulfillment. and solutions. Also, always help TechPost (most days!) you’d rather be doing. Dell has been your customers to analyse, secure and on Twitter #billamagee fascinated about technology since a boy manage their valuable information with
22 WWW.IOD.COM Director of the Year Awards Inside IoD Scotland Conference Membership benefits IoD Scotland Director development
IoD Branch news Inspiring events and a new focus
David Hoey up to explore the IoD and ways we can help high profile transport leader speaking. We are IoD Glasgow and West of Scotland you on your leadership journey. Building also arranging a business development networks and rapport is a key outcome for us workshop from a well-known expert. Watch It is refreshing to see the fresh buds of spring as we learn together. this space! We aim to identify topics of local and early summer begin to blossom, with interest and invite leaders within their field to some sunshine to lift our spirits. Recent IoD Events planning provide us with insight and leadership tips. If events have equally lifted my spirits, too. The We aim to create a mix of different events to you have an idea for a particular talk or Director of the Year awards held in the Crowne cater for the disparate needs of our members speaker do let us know. Plaza was a great start to the spring session, – both formal and informal. Our recent whisky highlighting talent and success. That followed tasting event was a perfect example. A diverse Committee focus our Influencers’ Talk with Captain David range of our members attended this excellent We are finalising arrangements for our West from Loch Lomond Seaplanes, session, held in 2 Fat Ladies at the committee strategy day during which we will whose focus on resilience and Buttery, which provided us with a refocus on approach to the committee and how optimism was an inspiration for superb meal and a wonderful we can best serve our members. We are us all. location. The brand ambassador for looking to identify new committee members, The Glasgow Committee has Macallan gave us an expert history particularly from manufacturing, IT and local been focussing on our twin and taste of the different offerings. government/education sectors. If you are themes of personal development It was the hardest test of my ‘dry 12 interested in joining the committee we’d like to and entrepreneurship over the weeks’ yet but the aroma or bouquet hear from you. The IoD is unique and your past few months. Your committee from each of the drinks was amazing and Glasgow committee is devoted to ensuring we exists to focus events in our area and those who were imbibing were full of praise continue to provide the very best for our ensure local members receive the service and and chat (and more chat). Only six weeks to members. As we look forward to summer, we benefits needed. I continue to meet new and go… look forward to meeting with you at our events. existing members and I remain committed to We have a number of different events on the We continue to build on our strong local and doing so. horizon, with a hustings event debating local national relationships and to help our leaders Please get in touch if you would like to catch and national issues together with a potential bloom to their fullest extent.
Our political panel : Stewart Hosie, Politicians under the spotlight at IoD hustings Jo Swinson and Dean Lockhart The IoD was delighted to be part of a hustings together with the need for clarity with regard to event in May chaired by Allan Hogarth. The immigration and devolved powers. panel comprised three politicians: Stewart Hosie It goes without saying that there was some SNP, Jo Swinson Liberal Democrat, and Dean focus on independence and the impact that Lockhart Conservative Party. The ACCA jointly debate is having upon business and the economic arranged the event with the IoD and RSM hosted outlook. the session and kindly provided breakfast. There was also a strong focus on education Following an introduction as to their and the attainment of our young people, the respective positions on issues affecting business leaders of tomorrow and of the desire to improve in Scotland, a lively question and answer session our position and ensure that we have the right took place, with plenty of input from the approach. business leaders and delegates in attendance. ‘Could do better’ was the general consensus Brexit featured heavily with much of the among the audience. discussion centred around the logistics of The IoD represents leaders in our fields. The achieving the best deal for Scotland and the need discussion was a good forum to raise the bar in for certainty. The parties’ different position on the discussion in ensuring we all think carefully tax, including corporation tax, was explored about those leading our country. WWW.IOD.COM 23 IoD Scotland Director of the Year Awards
IoD Scotland Director It’s your night: IoD Scotland of the Year Awards – Roll of Honour salutes our finest directors IoD Scotland Director of the Year – Large Businesses Douglas Whyte IoD Scotland celebrated the success of Hydro Group plc the country’s directors, entrepreneurs and business leaders at our annual IoD Scotland Director of the Director of the Year Awards on 23rd Year - Medium Businesses March, at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow. Jennifer MacKenzie- Hallwood The main category – the Director of the Year TEFL Org UK Award – this year was split into three categories to cover Large, Medium and Small IoD Scotland Director of the businesses equally. Year - Small Businesses Tom Campbell In addition to the nominated awards, IoD North Highland Initiative Scotland Chair Professor Susan Deacon Doug Whyte, presented a special Chair’s Award to Lady Director of the Year, Badenoch and Clark Susan Rice cbe, for her outstanding Large Businesses Female Director of the Year contribution to the Scottish business with IoD Director Shirley Campbell environment. General Stephen Martin Scottish Water
SCVO Third Sector Director of the Year Theresa Shearer ENABLE Scotland
IoD Scotland Emerging Director of the Year Sonia Cottom Pain Association Scotland
Scottish Business Pledge Workplace Innovation Marie Macklin, Director of the Year Non-Executive Gregory Chauvet Director of the Glasgow Bike Station Year, with Jane Theresa Shearer with Clark-Hutchison John Downie mclcreate Public Sector Director of the Year Professor David Hillier University of Strathclyde Right, Alan Moir accepted Bank of Scotland Non- the Director of the Year Executive Director of the Year Award for Marie Macklin cbe Medium-Size Appointedd businesses on behalf of Young Enterprise Scotland winner Director of the Year Jennifer Natalie Roberts MacKenzie- Glass Act Hallwood Shirley Chair’s Award Campbell with Scott Miller Lady Susan Rice cbe Sponsors and supporters
24 WWW.IOD.COM Regional awards
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Regional Director of the Year Alasdair Ferguson Ferguson Transport & Shipping
Aberdeen and Grampian Regional Director of the Year Douglas Whyte Hydro Group plc
Glasgow and West of Scotland Regional Director of the Year Theresa Shearer ENABLE Scotland
Edinburgh, Lothians & Above, Young the Borders Regional Enterprise Scotland Director of the Year winner Natalie Roberts Sheenagh Adams with Geoff Leask and Registers of Scotland Chris Floyd Fife and Central Scotland Right, Sonia Cottom of Regional Director of the Year the Pain Association Derek Robertson Scotland with Mairi Keep Scotland Beautiful Mickel Tayside Regional Director Below, Tom Campbell of the Year of the North Highland John Reid Initiative with Stephen Michelin Martin
Below, Professor David Hillier with mclcreate’s Ken Robertson
Above, Regional Award winners; from top, Alasdair Ferguson with Professor Lorne Crerar; Sheenagh Adams with Julie Ashworth, Branch Chair; Derek Robertson and John Reid with Ian Collins, Branch Member
The team from Glasgow Bike Station with winner Gregory Chauvet Professor Susan Deacon presents the Chair’s Award to Lady Susan Rice WWW.IOD.COM 25 IoD Scotland Conference 2017 Creativity, Adaptability & Innovation
Photographs show delegates at the 2016 Conference IoD Conference looks at why Scotland’s businesses need to seize the initiative
Date: Thursday 2 & Friday 3 November change and adaptability culture? Come and “very relevant to current needs”, “brilliant Venue: Gleneagles Hotel discuss today’s pressing business issues with range of presentations”, “great connecting Cost: From £150 + VAT colleagues from all sectors. opportunities” and “all in all, time very well Thursday’s Conference, which starts in the spent attending”. afternoon, offers workshops, a leadership The conference dinner on Friday evening It’s time to make space in your diary for the lecture and panel debate followed by an attracts an influential guest list and is an annual IoD Scotland Conference – the place to informal networking supper. enjoyable finish to the conference. be if you are a business leader. Friday’s intensive programme includes a We have worked closely with Gleneagles so We are returning to Gleneagles Hotel again range of keynote speakers, workshops and the that you can enjoy five-star luxury at this year for what is sure to be a thought- IoD Scotland Forum, in association with The preferential rates. provoking and informative two days in the Times Scotland. A range of event options are available, with company of Scotland’s finest business leaders. Speakers already confirmed include: member rates from £150 + vat for Thursday’s Whether you are an IoD member or not, • Professor Dame Anne Glover, who half-day conference and supper to £730 + vat whether you are a regular attender or have will be delivering Thursday’s Leadership for the full conference package (full conference never been before, we are sure you will take Lecture including black-tie dinner and two-night stay at home a huge amount from this event. • Ian Callum, Director of Design for Jaguar Gleneagles). This year we will be focusing on Creativity, • Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the We will open for bookings over the summer, Adaptability & Innovation: key areas in which Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. but please email conference@firstcityevents. organisations from across all sectors need to • Advocate Edith Forrest is Friday’s After co.uk to note your interest and we will keep you seize the initiative. As Scotland responds to a Dinner Speaker. up to date with conference news, including changing geopolitical and economic Delegates at previous conferences have special Early Bird Discounts and more environment, how should organisations build a described the event as, “open and friendly”, confirmed speakers.
Conference speakers: Shona McCarthy
Shona McCarthy joined the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society as Chief Executive in March 2016. From 2011-2014 she was Chief Executive of the Culture Company, leading on Derry - Londonderry’s transformational year as UK City of Culture. Prior to that she was Director of the British Council Northern Ireland. She also spent many years as chief executive of Cinemagic Film Festival for young people; and the Foyle Film Festival; and was head of exhibition at the Northern Ireland Film Council. Shona has 25 years’ experience of working in senior leadership positions and was awarded a prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship for Innovation in 2014.
26 WWW.IOD.COM Conference speakers: Professor Dame Anne Glover University of Aberdeen
Anne is a molecular biologist interested in how we respond to stress at a molecular level. She was the first Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission (2012-2015) and prior to that, she was the first Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland (2006-2011). In both positions Anne transformed the way science, engineering and technology were used and discussed within government and developed strategic initiatives to bridge the gap between science and policy. She has also been a very effective and well respected ambassador for European science. She is currently Vice Principal for External Affairs and Dean for Europe at the University of Aberdeen.
Conference speaker: After dinner speaker: Ian Callum Edith Forrest Jaguar Edith Forrest is regularly engaged as a speaker From the moment he laid eyes on at corporate events, including numerous the Jaguar XJ6 when he was 14, Ian professional dinners and Burns Night Callum knew he’d found his dream celebrations. job. Inspired, he sent some The reason? Edith is an Advocate, first called sketches to the then Jaguar chief to the Scottish Legal Bar in 2007 and prior to engineer, Bill Heynes, who that a solicitor with a wealth of experience in encouraged him to follow his heart. private practice. Her specialist areas are vast, He studied at the Glasgow encompassing everything from serious crime to employment law and School of Art before taking a professional disciplinary matters. Masters in Vehicle Design at the Much of her speaking content draws on her experiences from her unusual yet Royal College of Art in London. His fascinating line of work. talents had already been noted by Edith has travelled the length and breadth of the country for speaking events Ford and for 12 years he was and has also appeared at events abroad. She recalls speaking at a Burns Supper involved in designing some of the company’s best-loved cars before in Kazakhstan at the invitation of the late Lord Fraser as “the best Burns Supper joining TWR, where he took on high-profile projects for the likes of ever”. Aston Martin (the DB7, Vanquish and DB9), Ford Puma, Volvo C70 and Nissan R390. Then, in 1999, Ian got the call he’d been waiting for all his life: the chance to be Director of Design for Jaguar. His understanding of, and respect for, the brand’s creators is clear in the cars he and his team have created. “We know how Register your interest now – email intently our predecessors pushed the boundaries of design and [email protected] technology. Jaguar has always been a forward thinking company for the latest news and details of and that philosophy informs the work we do to this day.” This is clearly demonstrated by Ian’s work on the transformation special Early Bird discounts of the range which began with award-winning designs for the XK, XF and XJ, soon followed by the F-TYPE, XE and F-PACE and now the I-PACE Concept, a preview of Jaguar’s first electric vehicle. Commenting on his work he said: “Jaguars are about great proportions, fantastic silhouettes…the optimum expression of metal…I’ve always believed any good design can be drawn in two or three lines.” You might think that successfully designing new Jaguars might be hindered by the weight of heritage and previous successes, but Ian isn’t phased: “My point of judgment is always: what would Sir William Lyons think of this? And I honestly think he’d approve, hugely.”
WWW.IOD.COM 27 Membership Benefits
international TRAVEL Emirates’ IoD Silver Service is extra special
Emirates has launched an exclusive offer to can enjoy world-class service, regionally On the ground, First Class and Business IoD members on its Skywards scheme, inspired gourmet cuisine and over 2,200 Class passengers can take advantage of a automatically upgrading their membership channels of award-winning entertainment complimentary chauffeur-drive service, by one tier from either Blue to Silver or – plus phone, SMS and Wi-Fi connectivity expedited check-in, dedicated baggage Silver to Gold. from every seat. handling and luxurious lounge access in a Additional benefits include dedicated dedicated First & Business Class lounge at check in areas, additional baggage, Glasgow Airport – ensuring a seamless Emirates lounge access and priority journey from start to finish. waitlisting (a seat rescheduling benefit). With flights from Heathrow, London (Please contact [email protected] Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester, for details on how to take advantage of this travellers can experience the Emirates offer.) A380 featuring Private Emirates flies twice daily to Dubai from Suites and on board Glasgow and 16 times daily from a choice Shower Spas in First of five other UK airports, offering Class, an Onboard Lounge convenient onward connections to over and flat-bed seats in 150 destinations. On board, passengers Business Class.
NEW Parking benefit HOTEL DISCOUNTS
Members can take advantage of a new IoD Scotland has negotiated special exclusive members discount for parking discounts and rates for members at at NCP Castle Terrace, Edinburgh. Park for hotels in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen up to 12 hours for £10. This is ideal if you and Inverness. Members can obtain a are visiting the IoD‘s Charlotte Square 15 per cent discount off Hub for a meeting, or director accommodation (best available rate), development. Pick up a voucher at the food and beverages as well as meetings IoD office which can be used when you and event bookings at: exit the car park. n The Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow n Blythswood Square, Glasgow MEETING ROOMS AIRPORT LOUNGES n The Roxburghe, Edinburgh n The Principal, Edinburgh Please check out our new members’ facility IoD membership gives you free access n The Bonham, Edinburgh at 10 Charlotte Square. : to four Airport Lounges in Scotland, plus n Members’ lounge and workroom: eight other UK destinations. PLUS Special discounts at 200 svs Free of charge to members and up Edinburgh Airport – Aspire and No.1 Glasgow IoD hub. to three guests. Free refreshments Traveller lounge Aberdeen: Preferential accommodation and Wi-Fi – plus VAT-exempt meeting Glasgow Airport - Upperdeck lounge rate at Aberdeen Hilton Garden Inn. room hire Aberdeen and Inverness Airports - n Exclusively for members to hire: Swissport Executive Lounge. Inverness: Preferential accommodation - Boardroom for 16 Just sign in with your IoD membership rate Kingsmills Inverness and IoD - Garden View room, for 8 card. guests will receive a VIP package, - Castle View room, for 12 including a late checkout and room - Forth View room, for meetings, PREFERRED PROVIDERS refreshments. training workshops, lectures for between 20-50 people, etc Health plans at special rates Free AV and laptop by prior arrangement The IoD’s scheme with Westfield Health Call 0131 557 5488 or email provides members with exclusive [email protected] for details. corporate and personal plans that provide cash back on essential healthcare costs. IoD Health Plans complement any existing Private Medical Insurance (PMI), as the consultation benefit can be used to cover PMI excesses. Benefits include 100 per cent The Principal, reimbursement up to set limits on Edinburgh optical and dental care, fast access to MRI, CT & PET Scanning Facilities and DoctorLine™ 24/7 GP telephone access and webcam consultations
2820 WWW.IOD.COMwww.iod.com MEMBER BENEFIT RAIL TRAVEL Free first-class upgrade on ScotRail services Workload getting on top of you? Find a new way to work this summer! Today, increasing productivity is on the Abellio ScotRail is continuing its fantastic agenda for all. With pressurising budget cuts offer to IoD Scotland members. and savings demanded across all services, it is vital that leaders look at their organisations, at Just present your IoD membership card to themselves and how their people manage the conductor on-train along with a valid workloads and wellbeing. ticket type for that journey and receive a Effective working means we need to focus free upgrade to First Class*. managing your business travel on performance and outcomes – irrespective of programmes, saving you time and money. where and when people work. The offer is valid on Anytime Single, Priority Management has spent 37 years Anytime Return and Off Peak where First So let’s move your business travel off road researching best practices in the workplace Class accommodation is available. and on to rail – and do it in style with our and has trained 2.5 million people in the last special offer, courtesy of ScotRail. 10 years. Gilly MacMorran and her team in Members whose businesses use train Scotland equip modern leaders with the skills travel regularly could also sign up to For more information: and modern processes to manage their ScotRail’s Business Direct service, a See www.scotrail.co.uk/businesstravel workloads. solution designed to help support you by or call 0141 335 4015 to find out more. Most organisations have restructured their processes but not restructured how people work. We teach ‘A Better Way to Work’ called Working Sm@rt™: a four stage programme of around 15 hours for individuals and teams PREFERRED PROVIDERS SPECIAL BENEFITS spread out over an eight-week period. Home insurance cover from Hiscox. Free Career Consultation for Special IoD members discount Why choose IoD Home and Contents IoD Scotland Members Members’ benefit: 10% discount on our Insurance? TCMO is a Scottish-based career and Working Sm@rt in-house group n IoD Members save 12.5 per cent on personal development business which programme or for individuals a special Hiscox’s standard rates (subject to specialises in delivering tailored career offer of Three for the Price of underwriting criteria) management programmes for Two on our open programmes on 13th n Over 98 per cent of Hiscox individual business professionals and June or 12th July or 22rd August 2017. customers surveyed who have made for employers in Scotland, and beyond. Katherine McCudden MIoD – a claim would recommend them Working with IoD Scotland, TCMO is katherine@prioritymanagement n Individual items or sets under offering members a free career scotland.com to take advantage of this £15,000 are covered as standard consultation. offer or quote “IoD Summer Offer” n High-quality cover for your second This is a personalised one-to-one and third UK homes available session to review and plan for a IOD ADVICE LINES n Comprehensive cover for home portfolio and / or full time career. The building works available as an sessions are usually around 45 minutes All IoD members have access to specialist extension to your main policy long and can be done face-to-face or information and advice, including legal and n Could save with a 25 per cent no over the phone. Following the tax helplines and business research. claims discount when you switch consultation, members can also claim a Make sure you are registered online at to Hiscox 15% discount on our TCMO services for ‘My IoD’. This is the place to contact the individuals and businesses. Information and Advisory Service and to review existing enquiries – see To book a consultation, call 0800 www.iod.com/services. 009 3141, or for more information: Our legal helpline provides IoD members Car Hire from Hertz www.tcmo.co.uk/iod-scotland- with free and prompt business legal advice Benefit from free membership of Hertz member-offer on a wide range of employment, company, Gold Plus Rewards Five Star – a valued commercial and personal legal matters in VIP service providing a speedier rental the UK and Europe. process, free upgrades and free Our Business Information service you have additional driver cover. access to our top professional researchers, who can provide you with valuable information on topics ranging from market forecasts and industry trends to trading abroad and employee salaries.
Make the most of your membership with the IoD Scotland offers www.iod.comWWW.IOD.COM 2921
IoD Scotland Events
06 Jun IoD Scotland - Crisis Management for Directors
Date: 06 June Venue: IoD Scotland, Edinburgh Time: 09:00 - 17:00 Prices Members: £345 + VAT Non-Members: £395 + VAT This one-day (9-5) workshop identifies the various roles senior executives and directors may have to undertake within the context of a crisis. Whether from a private, public or third sector organisation, your role as a director is to help ensure the organisation survives the crisis by providing strategic leadership and, more importantly, by making an effective contribution to the preparedness of your organisation, to deal with major disruptive challenges. Do you know the risks to your organisation? There will be ample opportunity to share Who Should Attend? • Building a crisis management capability. experiences and participate in the interactive Individuals who are currently executive or • Do you have the systems to cope? scenarios. The workshop should give delegates a non-executive directors and other senior • Legislation pertaining to a crisis. greater understanding of crisis management and executives who are seeking to gain a greater • UK Emergency Concept of Operations? Are their role. All delegates will receive a certificate understanding of the crisis management process. you a CAT 1 or 2 responder? Or none of them? of attendance for CPD purposes. Delegates need to be open to informal interactive • What are the strategic crisis decisions which learning with a facilitator who has practical need to be made? Workshop Tutor - Jim Mann experience of real strategic crisis management. • Introduction to crisis communications. Jim Mann was the National UK Resilience Often there are no right or wrong answers • Will your crisis plan will work? Duty Officer Lead at major crisis events available, but this workshop will help you think including the 7/7 terrorist bombing in London, the ‘unthinkable’ and develop the resilience to The workshop will prepare you to deal with international earthquake disasters, major ensure the sustainability of your organisation. major disruptive challenges and introduce you to country wide flooding events. He also worked on crisis leadership expectations. UK preparedness in the wake of the 9/11 attacks Workshop Content It will also improve your current performance in the USA, developing the UK command, • Understand the various types of crisis; is a as a director/senior executive in all forms of control and co-ordination capability, and has fire a crisis? crisis management as well as help prepare for a written guidance for the emergency services on • Understand the potential origins of a crisis. crisis by identifying risks. resilience matters.
07 Jun A Day at the Races: IoD takes to the turf at Hamilton Racecourse
Time: 12 noon - 18:00 Venue: Hamilton Park Racecourse, Hamilton Prices: Members and Guests: £80 + VAT Non Members: £115 + VAT
The Institute of Directors invites you to A Day at and race course admission. The race day Between courses we will hear from Vivien the Races. Enjoy the Almada Raceday from the programme features seven races, the first at Currie, chief executive, Hamilton Race Course, comfort of a personal box and hear first hand of 2.10pm and last race is at 5.15pm. on the challenges of managing the facility and the life at the helm of a race track from Vivien Currie, The dress code is Business benefits it brings the local economy. Chief Executive of Hamilton Race Course The day starts at 12 noon for registration and a The first race is at 2.10pm, running through The event includes return transport to and drinks reception before we are welcomed by seven races until 5.15pm before the party will be from the course from Hamilton West Rail Welcome by David Hoey, Chair, before our two transported back to Hamilton West Rail Station. Station, a glass of fizz on arrival, two course meal course meal.
32 WWW.IOD.COM To book online visit www.iod.com/events-community
13 Jun New Member Welcome Drinks
Time: 18:00 - 20:00 Venue: IoD Scotland, 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR Prices: Free of charge We would like to invite all our recent new members to an informal get-together at the IoD Scotland head office on Charlotte Square in Edinburgh. Over drinks and canapés, you will have the opportunity to meet other new members, as well as the local chair and committee, learn more about the IoD and its membership services and see the facilities available to members at the head office. The Edinburgh & Lothians branch is the largest in Scotland and we recognise how important it is to get our members together and provide opportunities to connect, discuss and network. This drinks event is an ideal way to start getting the most from your membership.
16 BAAD Unveiled – An 14 IoD Brexit Webinar Aug Influencer’s Pop Up Dinner Jun Venue: Barras Art & Design, Event: IoD Webinar - at https://goo.gl/PLvih0 54 Calton Entry, Glasgow G40 2SB Time: From 11am Time: 18:00 - 21:30 Price: Free of charge CPD: 2 hours Prices: Members and Guests, £35 + VAT The IoD’s policy executive Allie Rennison will be hosting her first Brexit Non Members, £40 + VAT webinar on 14th June for IoD members. * Please note this event date has changed to 16th August This is part of our ongoing efforts to make access to IoD policy events and information around key topics, such as Brexit, available to members Come along and learn more about BAAD - Barras Art and Design. UK and Internationally, and as easy to access as possible. BAAD is a unique events and creative space in the heart of the The webinar launches at 11am https://goo.gl/PLvih0 .Please click the Barras founded by Brian Traynor and Ricky Scoular. link to register in advance Passionate about food, Brian and Ricky were behind a series of The aim of this webinar series is as follows – unique outdoor pop-up food ventures in Glasgow’s lanes including • To provide access to guidance and advice on Brexit to IoD members, Heverlee at Tontine Lane and Gordon Street Lane, as well as the irrespective of whether they’re located in the UK/Overseas; hugely popular Fish Plaice at the Saltmarket during the • To give access to Brexit guidance to our current engaged audience; Commonwealth Games. They also own the Sub Club and are • To attract a wider audience with the IoD’s Brexit content and involved in the Riverside Festival. incorporate them into our engaged audience; In 2016 the duo decided to set up BADD, keen to harness the • This allows members who are unable to make it to physical events to iconic vibrancy the Barras once had with a host of ideas to roll out have full access to the IoD’s Brexit guidance/content; over the coming months, including events to showcase other food • The format will be a ‘surgery’, where Allie gives a short 20m update entrepreneurs, festivals, and apprenticeship opportunities for locals. on developments over the past few weeks, followed by a Q&A session The Victorian warehouse features A’Challtainn (Gaelic of the where she answers members questions directly; Carlton), a Scottish fish restaurant, along with a courtyard for music • The aim is to build up a regular audience for this. and special events, a new outdoor yard for pop up food markets and summer beer garden, and a number of independent sups. Other Useful links: If you are passionate about home grown quality food this is an event not to be missed! Includes fish tea and drinks. Dress: Business • The IoD’s General election hub is based at www.iod.com/ Casual news-campaigns/general-election-2017 • The IoD Brexit hub is based at: www.iod.com/news- campaigns/brexit • IoD Good Governance reports can be found at www.iod.com/news-campaigns/good-governance-report
For more details on any IoD events: Event manager: Ms Patricia Huth Contact phone: 0131 557 5488 Contact email: [email protected] To book any event, visit www.iod.com/events-community
WWW.IOD.COM 33 IoD Scotland Events
30 Sharing the Secrets of Success - an Aug Interactive Leadership Masterclass
Time: 8.00-14.00 August. Ms Davidson will give the keynote • Stuart C McLeod, Delphian Ballistics Venue: Sir Ian Wood Building speech at the half-day event, which will also • Eddie Anderson, ARR Craib Robert Gordon University feature interactive seminars led by successful After a networking breakfast, all delegates will Garthdee Campus entrepreneurs and networking sessions. come together for the opening keynote address. Garthdee Road Now in its fifth year, the masterclass is the During the morning each delegate will then have Aberdeen AB10 7GJ highlight of the IoD’s Aberdeen and Grampian the opportunity to participate in two of five CPD: 4 hours branch’s events calendar. one-hour long masterclasses, based on their Price: Members Early Bird offer, £59+VAT Chairman for the Aberdeen region, Mark particular interests. Following the masterclasses, if booked before 30th June; McCue, said: “The Masterclass is always a a buffet lunch will be served and networking after that date, £75+VAT fantastic event and leaves everyone with food for continues before the event closes. Non Members early Bird offer, thought – regardless of whether they are an The regional team has hosted a series of £75+VAT if booked before aspiring leader or have been in the role of many thought provoking events this year including a 30th June; after that date, £99+VAT. years. rare opportunity to hear from the senior team “We have a great line-up of speakers this year behind Opportunity North East, an inspirational The Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, and a very exciting key note speaker to announce talk by Gillian Fowler or BackStrong and a Ruth Davidson, will join some of Scotland’s most nearer the time so watch this space.” briefing by Michael Saunders of the Bank of inspiring business leaders in sharing their secrets Among the confirmed speakers are: England. of success when the IoD hosts its Leadership • Deborah O’Neil, Novabiotics The Masterclass promises to round of the Masterclass in Aberdeen, on Wednesday, 30th • Sarah Malone, Trump Scotland current IoD events calendar in style.
05 12 Oct Oct Mastering the Art of Strategic Questioning
Edinburgh Glasgow
Edinburgh event Date: 05 Oct Time: 09:00 - 17:00 Venue: IoD Scotland, 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR
Glasgow event Date: 12 Oct Time: 09:00 - 17:00 Venue: 200svs, @00 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5RQ
For both events: CPD: 8 hours Prices: Member Early Booking Rate £310 + VAT Member Rate: £345 + VAT Non Member Rate: £395 + VAT
Questioning skills are the sine qua non of UK and Canada to reinforce principles and For more details on successful business leaders. techniques. In this highly interactive one-day workshop Throughout the day, you will work in small any IoD events: (9-5), you will learn a breakthrough groups on exercises and a case study that Event manager: questioning method that is steeped in capture compelling scenarios faced by directors investigative journalism, cognitive and trustees. Ms Patricia Huth neuroscience and social psychology. Contact phone: The method emphasises humility, finely Workshop Tutor 0131 557 5488 tuned listening, empathy, and Eastern and Dr David Steinberg is a consultant and Western perspectives on mindfulness – an university lecturer specialising in advanced Contact email: ideal model for effective leadership and questioning skills for business professionals. [email protected] governance. Prior to starting his consultancy five years ago, This workshop will offer you a new way to he directed sales operations and account think about and ask questions and features management processes in the US for a highly short video clips of interviews conducted by successful e-learning software-as-a-service today’s top TV reporters and hosts in the US, start-up and for a Fortune 500 Corporation.
34 WWW.IOD.COM