On a crisp September morning at Loch Lomond, the launch of The Presidents Club brought together some of Scotland’s most established business leaders. Hosted by the Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce (DCC) at the luxurious Cameron House Hotel, this exclusive half-day event, held on 16th September 2024, signalled a fresh chapter in how established businesses and larger organisations across Dunbartonshire and Scotland would collaborate, innovate, and engage at local, national and international levels.
The Presidents Club, an exclusive space for DCC’s Enterprise members and business partners, aims to create opportunities for strategic networking, bespoke industry events, and roundtable discussions addressing political, social, and economic challenges facing the business community. With a focus on fostering partnership, the club is envisioned as a dynamic platform where members not only meet to discuss common goals but also co-create solutions, benefiting from a broad spectrum of insights. The day’s agenda offered an ideal balance of knowledge-sharing and thought leadership, providing attendees with practical takeaways to bolster their own businesses.
The day began with a networking breakfast, creating an informal atmosphere for the distinguished guests to interact. This was followed by a presentation from David MacDonald, Head of Powergen Products at Aggreko, who provided a compelling insight into how the company is navigating the complexities of recruitment and skills shortages while advancing its net-zero ambitions.
Challenges and Solutions in Recruitment and Sustainability
David MacDonald spoke passionately about the pressing challenge of addressing the skills gap in the energy sector, emphasizing how collaboration is vital to solving these issues. “What a fantastic event and one of the few opportunities for such a diverse range of business leaders to share common challenges, best practices, and explore collaboration potential in an open forum. Great level of energy and engagement in the room, with some interesting questions putting the panel to the test,” he shared.
Aggreko’s approach to sustainability was another key talking point. The company has not only committed to a comprehensive net-zero strategy for its own operations but also extended its technological expertise to support other businesses in their sustainability journey. This willingness to share knowledge and innovation demonstrated how collaboration at the Presidents Club will extend to meaningful actions with far-reaching impacts.
A Broader Perspective from Scottish Chambers of Commerce
Following David’s presentation, Dr. Liz Cameron, CEO of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, delivered an insightful keynote. Her message resonated deeply with the room, underscoring the importance of unity and adaptation in today’s economic landscape. Dr. Cameron discussed how the Scottish Chambers are committed to helping businesses thrive, despite the economic challenges they face, by offering support that spans from local communities to global market connections. Her insights highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability, qualities crucial to navigating the evolving business landscape.
“SCC was delighted to be involved in the launch of the new Presidents Club. The interaction and level of quality engagement was awesome. There was certainly an appetite to build on this focus, creating opportunities for supply chain developments, knowledge transfer, and businesses becoming more involved in designing and developing an economic plan to grow the local economy and create more local job opportunities. It is exciting and ambitious but have every confidence, it will take off. SCC will support Dunbartonshire COC in taking this forward”.
A New Perspective on Business: Nic Rixon’s Approach
The main keynote speaker, Nic Rixon, founder of Strategic Growth for Enterprise (SGFE), took the stage next to provide what many considered the highlight of the day—a “New Perspective on Business.” Nic’s presentation offered a refreshing take on the tools and insights necessary for £1m+ revenue businesses to navigate complex challenges, grow, and prepare for exit/succession. He introduced a detailed 50-point diagnostic which can uncover the priorities in your business, gaps in the business, strategic options and provides a detailed pathway forward to build your business.
Nic’s experience in working with mid-tier businesses over three decades brought a rich depth to his presentation. “The biggest issue I see regularly is the lack of training on how to run a successful business. Most of us were taught how to build, design, or deliver a product – be it architecture, law, veterinary science, or design. But there was no course on how to actually run a business,” he explained. This gap, according to Nic, is a significant reason many businesses struggle with growth and sustainability. He called for a new perspective, focusing on innovative approaches to business management and financial assessment.
His dynamic and engaging style left the audience not only informed but inspired. “We need a completely different way to look at our business numbers, and a completely different understanding of how to view business costs. Bringing all that change into businesses makes them take off,” Nic added, highlighting the transformative potential of updated business practices.
Expert Panel and Thought-Provoking Discussions
Following a coffee break, attendees reconvened for a lively Q&A session with an expert panel that featured the day’s speakers, alongside Paul Kingham, Managing Director of Kingsmith Accountancy; Stephen Whitelaw, a Global AI Specialist; and Claire Young, Senior Manager of Workplace Learning at the University of the West of Scotland.
The panel explored various topical issues, from the impact of AI on the job market to sustainability and strategic accounting. Paul Kingham provided practical insights on strategic accountancy and how it provides a different and transformative way to look at
numbers and understand business costs. This included some of the key metrics that businesses need to monitor beyond their traditional P&Ls and balance sheets. Stephen Whitelaw shared insights into the opportunities and challenges AI brings, particularly in terms of job displacement and new roles emerging in the tech-driven market. Claire Young discussed how the education system is adapting to meet the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing.
The discussions also covered how companies could enhance their valuation beyond industry-standard benchmarks—an area that captured significant interest from the business leaders in attendance. The panellists collectively emphasized that sustainable growth requires businesses to think beyond short-term gains and work toward creating long-term value through strategic decisions.
“Value Through Partnership”—Mary Ann Smith’s Vision
The day concluded with an inspiring address by Mary Ann Smith, President of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce. Mary Ann spoke about the core principles that guide DCC, focusing on creating the right spaces for business growth and partnership.
“Value Through Partnership,” she began, is at the heart of everything DCC does. She emphasized that membership organizations cannot be successful without partnership at their core. “Understanding the value that each member needs to experience is fundamental to DCC and allows members to renew, stay long-term, and engage in co-creation, collaboration, and innovation with one another.”
Mary Ann also introduced other initiatives by the Chamber, including the newly redesigned Business Breakfast Club, aimed at supporting smaller local businesses, and the upcoming Business Lunch Club, set to launch on 12th December 2024. This new venture will bring together businesses at all levels to connect, learn, and engage with thought leaders in an informal setting. She also hinted at the launch of the DCC Business Awards in 2025, which promises to be an exciting addition to their calendar, celebrating excellence within the business community.
In line with the theme of “Business without Boundaries,” Mary Ann underscored DCC’s mission to ensure that Dunbartonshire businesses are not isolated in their local community. Instead, they are encouraged to interact with the wider Scottish business community, broadening their perspectives and exploring new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Mary Ann ended her speech by acknowledging the founding Presidents Club members—including notable names there on the day such as Block Architects, Cameron House Resort, CJC Recruit, Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Ingliston Country Club, Freedom Boat Club, and Mar Hall Hotel—who have committed to this journey of collaboration. “We are looking forward to welcoming new members over the coming months,” she said, adding that the next Presidents Club event is scheduled for January 2025, and will be tailored to meet the evolving needs of its members.
Fostering Connections and Growth for the Region
Michael Lavazini, Managing Director of Cameron House Hotel, was delighted to host the event. “Cameron House was honored to host the launch of the Presidents Club, bringing together local leaders and innovators to celebrate and support the Chamber and the vibrant local business community. It was an honor to be part of such an inspiring event, fostering connections and driving growth for businesses across the region.”
The Presidents Club launch was a resounding success, offering a rare opportunity for some of the most influential business leaders in Scotland to gather, share, and learn from each other. The combination of thought leadership, expert insights, and a strong focus on partnership highlighted the immense potential that the Dunbartonshire business community holds. With its commitment to creating strategic spaces for business leaders, DCC is not only supporting businesses to grow but also ensuring that the wider community benefits from their collective success.
As the day drew to a close, the sense of energy and possibility in the room was palpable. The Presidents Club is set to be a cornerstone for strategic business collaboration, and if this launch event is any indication, the future looks bright for businesses in Dunbartonshire and beyond.
