Latest News
- 13 February 2012
- 13 February 2012
Expert Panel
- Paul Atkinson
- Andy Carolan
- Alastair Balfour
- Adam Bock
- Kevin Bradshaw
- James Browning
- Murray Buchanan
- Neil Cunningham
- David Farquhar
- Sandy Finlayson
- Donald Forsyth
- Nelson Gray
- Derek Gray
- Kathy Greenwood
- Giles Hamilton
- Aydin Kurt-Elli
- Graham Langley
- Alec Mackie
- Jim Mather
- Ian McNair
- Jock Millican
- John McNicol
- Ken Morse
- Kerry Napuk
- Tino Nombro
- Catherine O'Day
- Stephen Paterson
- Keith Punler
- Ian Ritchie
- Martin Ritchie
- David Robinson
- Mike Rutterford
- Alastair Salvesen
- Iain Scott
- Peter Shakeshaft
- Chris Stewart
- Murray Strachan
- John Waddell
- David Wilson
- Eric Young
Gallery
Upcoming Events
BFS Edinburgh Forum |
BFS Glasgow Forum |
YCF Special Offer
Young Company Finance (YCF) would like to offer Business Forum members a three-month free of charge trial subscription to their publication.
email jonathan@ycf.co.uk and quote Business Forum Scotland.
Our Expert Panel
Paul Atkinson
Paul is an entrepreneur and serial angel investor, with a substantial track record of building value for companies in the technology and services sector and taking them to a successful exit. He is a founding Partner in Par Equity LLP, an investment firm that backs potential high growth businesses with innovation at their core.
Andy Carolan
Andy is currently Chairman of Tangible Group Ltd, one of the UK's largest marketing services businesses . Tangible employs over 300 people, has offices in Edinburgh, London and Cheltenham and is part of Cello plc. Andy has over 25 years experience in marketing and communications and during that time has opened, acquired, sold, closed and merged communications businesses of many different types.
Alastair Balfour
Alastair Balfour is a business journalist turned entrepreneur turned specialist business advisor. After a 17-year newspaper career (The Scotsman, Daily Record, Sunday Standard) he co-founded the Scottish Business Insider publishing group in 1984 and built it to a £3m sale in 1999. He has since been personally involved as a director and investor in the launch of seven businesses.
Adam Bock
Dr. Adam J. Bock is Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh Business School. His research focuses on early-stage, high-technology ventures, including university spin-outs, and narrative aspects of entrepreneurial behavior. Dr. Bock current lectures on both general entrepreneurship and green entrepreneurship courses at Edinburgh.
Kevin Bradshaw
Recognized as a leading innovator in the sector, Kevin has an exceptional record of product innovation with start-up and high-growth digital media and technology ventures, with a focus on direct to consumer desktop and mobile internet services.
James Browning
Dr Browning enjoys working at the interface of surgical practice and the medical device industry, particularly in the small company start-up arena through to exit.
Murray Buchanan
Murray Buchanan is an entrepreneur, investor and advisor. A qualified lawyer, Murray held key international positions within Warner Bros, Bertelsmann and Virgin Group in London throughout the 1990s. While an executive at Virgin Group, Murray was a member of a management team that founded a new division, twice raised nine figure sums in venture capital and grew the business in its first three years of trading from one office in London to a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures and licensees spanning more than thirty countries worldwide.
Neil Cunningham
Founder and Managing Director of MatchPoint Group, a specialist corporate hospitality services business based in Edinburgh with offices in London Melbourne and Sydney.
Business interests in corporate hospitality, event travel and leisure.
David Farquhar
David is a serial entrepreneur, turned angel investor, turned venture capitalist. As a veteran of the technology sector he has built a series of international companies in mobile applications, media and enterprise software. His focus is on building companies through the implementation of best practice in Product Management, Product Marketing and Channels.
At Northface Ventures he is developing a new model for deploying a risk capital fund focused on the Mobile & Wireless, Enterprise Software sectors. He is currently working with California-based Tomorrow Ventures to build their European investment portfolio and is advising the management teams of 3 leading Scottish high-growth software companies.
Sandy Finlayson
Sandy Finlayson is the Senior Partner of MBM Commercial LLP. He is a Partner in the Corporate Group specialising in corporate finance for high growth young companies. He brought together the founders of Archangel Informal Investment Ltd in 1992 and found a number of their early deals which produced very successful outcomes.
Donald Forsyth
Donald is Commercial Partner at Scott-Moncrieff Chartered Accountants. Heprovides practical advice which helps his clients achieve their goals.
Although the majority of Donald’s clients are in Scotland, he also has interests in Europe and the USA.
Nelson Gray
Nelson became a mentor, non-executive director, educator, angel investor and fund manager following the sale of his own business.
He went on to manage one of Scotland's leading business angel syndicates, has invested in 23 companies personally, and was responsible for funding a further 50 as a fund manager. In 2008, Nelson was awarded the title "Business Angel of the Year 2008" by The European Business Angel Network, EBAN.
Derek Gray
Derek Gray is an active supporter and investor in early stage software companies. His current positions include:
- Chairman of Cloudsoft - an Edinburgh-based software development company focused on application mobility in the Cloud.
- Chairman of Maxymiser - a leading provider of conversion management solutions, including A/B testing, multivariate testing, web and mobile personalization, and multichannel marketing.
- Member of the Advisory Board at Pentech Ventures which invests in early-stage software companies.
- Advisor at Edinburgh University School of Informatics
Kathy Greenwood
Following a law degree from Edinburgh University, Kathy trained as a chartered accountant with KPMG working in a variety of industries and gaining wide ranging experience in all aspects of small business development. Kathy is also an MBA graduate from Strathclyde Graduate Business School. She has more than 20 years experience in the venture capital industry latterly as Investment Director of W L Ventures and West Lothian Venture Fund responsible for all aspects of investigating and managing their portfolio of investments.
Giles Hamilton
Giles undertakes appointments as CEO, part time executive and non-executive director.
His appointments are generally in life sciences and software, following earlier business experience in services and construction. An entrepreneurial, well connected director, he has wide hands-on operational/general management experience, gained from managing both rapid growth and turnarounds.
He is 45 years of age, energetic & effective, with a track record of significant achievement against the odds. Based in Scotland, he takes on roles throughout the UK and overseas, with frequent business travel to Asia and the USA.
Aydin Kurt-Elli
Having set up Lumison whilst still a 2nd yr student, Aydin ran the business part time until getting his GMC registration. After working as a junior house officer for a year, he left the medical profession to run the business fulltime. The business has grown from small regional Internet provider to become a full service, UK-wide business-class ISP, with managed hosting, network and voice services, as well as wholly-owned Tier-III datacentres in Edinburgh and London, as well as infrastructure in a number of 3rd party facilities in the UK and USA.
Graham Langley
Set up the Corporate Finance boutique, Tiger Advisers, following an extensive banking career with the Royal Bank of Scotland during which time he gained a wealth of commercial, corporate risk analysis and management experience across a broad range of sectors. Whilst at RBS, he was recognised as a top performing and award winning development & relationship manager and team leader. Through strong inter-personal skills has developed a vast network of business contacts.
Alec Mackie
Trained as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Young in Glasgow and London, admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland in 1973.Set up practice in partnership in 1973 and practised in three firms over twenty years.
Jim Mather
Jim Mather is a Chartered Accountant, who worked for IBM before founding the ComputerLand franchise in Scotland.
From 1999-2003, he was the SNP’s National Treasurer and in 2003 he was elected to the Scottish Parliament: re-elected in 2007 as MSP for Argyll & Bute he became Minister for Enterprise Energy & Tourism – a portfolio he held until he stepped down from front-line politics in 2011.
Ian McNair
International Board Level Operations Executive with proven success in achieving business process excellence and performance. Extensive leadership experience in starting up, developing and sustaining large scale supply chain and operational organisations including business strategy formulation, achievement of benchmark cost structures and more.
Jock Millican
Business Mentor and Consultant working with SMEs to help them grow and develop through input of sound business knowledge and funding if required. Jock has invested in a number of businesses over the last few years and is Chairman of 2 of them – Totseat and Verdex.
John McNicol
John is the founder and CEO of Kelvin Capital Ltd. John qualified as a Chartered Accountant after completing a degree in Computer Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance. His is a member of the Accounting Standards Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
Ken Morse
Ken Morse has been a high performance leader in global high tech sales and sales management for over 35 years.
He was a co-founder of six high-tech companies, together with MIT friends and classmates. Five of these ventures had successful IPOs or mergers; one was a disaster. They included 3Com Corporation, Aspen Technology, Inc., a China Trade Company, a biotech venture, and an expert systems company. Ken was either the CEO or responsible for part or all of the Sales organization in each of these new enterprises.
Kerry Napuk
In 1973 started my business life in Scotland as a company doctor for the Northeast Regional Director of the Midland Bank, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Became a NED at 10 SMEs from 1973 through 2007. Packaged management teams and funding for four new technology companies in the 1980s, raising £4.25m in venture capital. Started the VeRN serial entrepreneurial network in late 1990s.
Was managing director of Open Futures Ltd. from 1997 to 2006, a large group consultancy which facilitated 100 events involving 7,000 participants for organisations in all sectors of civil society. Authored a best selling book on strategic planning for SMEs published by McGraw Hill (1993) and co-authored the Large Group Facilitators Manual for Gower (2003.) Also lead seminars on strategy for Business Ventures in Glasgow, Harrogate Management Centre and an occasional master class at University of Sterling. Have also been a trustee in four charities.
Tino Nombro
Tino has worked at the cutting edge of online marketing for over twelve years. As one of Ambergreen’s founders he has shaped the direction of Ambergreen and developed the strategic consultancy the agency delivers. His enthusiasm for ensuring companies embrace online and achieve outstanding results comes from a strong understanding of business combined with expert knowledge and experience of the Internet.
Catherine O'Day
Founding joint partner of The Cashroom LLP, providing outsourced cashroom services to the legal profession. Responsible for the development and delivery of effective and efficient processes and procedures to ensure that day to day running of cashroom services run smoothly and all clients comply fully with The Solicitors Accounts rule.
Stephen Paterson
I have nearly 30 years experience in the corporate financial sector and have spent most of my career in industry and commerce holding various key Financial Director positions in businesses with turnovers up to £100 million. Originally qualifying in 1982 with a big four firm, I quickly gained a wealth of "hands on" experience with major acquisitions, disposals, due diligence and management buyouts. Moreover, I have raised bank funding from the majority of UK banks as well as funding from the private equity sector. These experiences put me in good stead in this current economic climate.
Keith Punler
A proven team leader who thrives on new challenges and is enthused by building and motivating teams. Interested in Modern Methods of Construction and sustainable building solutions, together with initiatives in affordable housing and renewable energy technologies.
Experienced in design and master-planning of new communities (including having delivered award winning projects which are now studied as “Best of Class” examples).
Strong negotiator with a track record of maximising profit and of mentoring senior management in a number of business sectors.
Ian Ritchie
Ian Ritchie is Chairman of iomart plc., Computer Application Services Ltd., the Interactive Design Institute, and Caspian Learning Ltd. He is Co-Chair of the Scottish Science Advisory Council and Chairman of Our Dynamic Earth, the Edinburgh Science Centre.
He is a board member of the Edinburgh International Science Festival. He was a founding director, and Chairman (1988-1990), of the Scottish Software Federation (now ScotlandIS). He is a board member of the GO Group, a trustee of the David Hume Institute, a trustee of the Saltire Foundation, a trustee of the Nominet Trust, and a member of the Council of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Martin Ritchie
Martin Ritchie is active in the development of young technology companies as a business angel, as a director, and through his support of business growth initiatives. He is a former founder and Managing Director of Spider Systems which was one of Scotland’s first successful technology businesses. Spider grew to employ 250 staff with revenues of £25 million before being acquired by the US Shiva Corp in 1995 for $100 million. He is currently chairman of Spinsight and previously has chaired Stortext, Pentland Systems, Scapa Technologies, Sirius Seven Software, Chameleon Trust plc and has served on the boards of ION Networks (US NASDAQ quoted company) and Voxar.
David Robinson
An actuary, David has held senior roles in the life insurance industry for almost 40 years. In 2001, he became founder and CEO of innovative Edinburgh-based life insurer, Bright Grey. Recently voted employer of the year in Scotland, Bright Grey now employs over 300 staff and is one of the UK’s leading protection insurance providers.
Mike Rutterford
Mike Rutterford is a serial entrepreneur with a forty year career as business angel and investor.
Over a ten year period he built up the Estate Agency chain Stuart Wyse Ogilvie and then sold it to General Accident in 1987.
Subsequently, in 1991, he co-founded the Archangel Syndicate with business partner Barry Sealey. He holds a number of board appointments.
Alastair Salvesen
Alastair Salvesen CBE has been a leading figure in the UK seafood industry for nearly thirty years. He is Chairman of Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd, RR Spink & Sons Ltd and Daniel’s Sweet Herring Ltd, Edinburgh New Town Cookery School and Dovecot Studios, a Director of Archangel Informal Investments and Deputy Chairman of Fettes Trust.
Iain Scott
Iain is a fellow of The Charted Institute of Management Accountants, has an MBA from Edinburgh University and is Chartered Director.
Over 17 years of his business career Iain worked in senior positions for each of the top 3, privately owned, construction companies in Scotland.
Peter Shakeshaft
Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1970, I have spent my career in industry and have held a number of positions as either chairman or chief executive of a variety of organisations for the past 30 years. During my career I have dealt with many complex business issues and led boards to effective decision making on a wide variety of matters.
Chris Stewart
Chris Stewart (36) is a highly successful property entrepreneur with fifteen years' experience in the commercial and residential property sectors. Specialising in luxury hotel, residential and high-quality commercial projects, Chris has a reputation for delivering quality as well as exceptional returns. Chris has successfully completed over 40 development projects in the past 15 years valued in excess of £100million with an enviable pipeline of an additional £50m. Chris is also a winner of the Scottish Property Awards 09.
Murray Strachan
Murray is Managing Director of Strachan & Partners,a specialist business advisory consultancy, and parttime Chief Executive of Albyn Ventures, a business investment group. He also holds a number of nonexecutive chairman & director positions in a range of companies throughout the UK, many of which he is a shareholder in.
John Waddell
John has played a number of roles in Scottish business during his career, first as a solicitor advising
on an M&A transaction in 1984. At Christian Salvesen he built on his initial remit as in house counsel to leading a team which managed all group legal matters; major HR disputes; the group property portfolio; all substantial commercial contracts; all business investment and divestment activity; and major banking transactions
David Wilson
David is a founding partner of Panoramic Growth Equity, set up in 2009 to improve the flow of equity capital to mainstream growth SME’s in the UK. Panoramic’s first fund has been launched at £35m and the team are now focussing on building the fund’s portfolio from the whole of the UK market. David is an experienced investor and adviser to SME’s, having worked in the sector since 1995.
Eric Young
Eric Young has vast experience in retail property and his company is a recognised specialist and 
preferred consultant to many occupiers, landlords and developers. Eric and his team also offer expertise and strategic advice in business space property matters. www.eyco.co.uk