IoD Scotland January 2024
IoD Scotland membership magazine, business advice for directors
IoD Scotland membership magazine, business advice for directors
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The official membership<br />
magazine for the Institute<br />
of Directors in <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
iod.com/scotland<br />
Direction<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:<br />
Exploring<br />
Sustainability<br />
How small firms can<br />
make a big difference<br />
Aligning your business<br />
plans with ESG goals<br />
‘It’s time to join<br />
the revolution’<br />
Steve Dunlop explains how FOR:EV<br />
is putting <strong>Scotland</strong> on the right<br />
road to an electric motoring future
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> NEWS | DIRECTION<br />
Be bold, be confident: <strong>2024</strong><br />
can be the year of business<br />
In the six months I’ve been Chair of<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> in <strong>Scotland</strong>, I’ve spoken to dozens<br />
of business leaders, and the<br />
conversation always comes back to<br />
one thing – confidence.<br />
With a traditional new year behind us,<br />
and a financial new year on the horizon,<br />
now is perhaps the ideal time to examine<br />
the concept of business confidence a<br />
little more deeply. What conditions make<br />
business leaders feel confident, and can<br />
increased confidence put the 2023<br />
‘doldrums’ behind us?<br />
Most obviously, inflation and interest<br />
rates have the most significant impact on<br />
confidence. The twists and turns of the<br />
last 12 months have forced business<br />
leaders to be consistently reactive, when<br />
their time could be better spent planning<br />
for the future.<br />
The turmoil of interest rates and<br />
inflation require constant turning of the<br />
ship, but the wider political climate also<br />
has a significant impact on how positive<br />
business leaders feel about what’s down<br />
the road. However, it’s fair to say that the<br />
partnership between business and<br />
political leaders has left room for<br />
improvement – our engagement with<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s New Deal for Business<br />
has made an impressive start, and<br />
that alone will do business<br />
confidence a world of good, says<br />
Julie Ashworth, Chair, <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
members in 2023 told us as much.<br />
Thankfully, there are moves to put that<br />
right in <strong>Scotland</strong>, and 2023 saw some<br />
significant strides ahead with the<br />
announcement of the Scottish<br />
Government’s New Deal for Business<br />
(NDB), and later, the unveiling of an<br />
implementation plan.<br />
What’s different about this initiative is<br />
the real involvement of the business<br />
community on the NDB Group. There is a<br />
real commitment to work together to<br />
tackle everything from rates and<br />
wellbeing to the partnership between<br />
business, Holyrood, and policy.<br />
<strong>2024</strong> will be a crucial year for the NDB<br />
as we start to see some definitive action<br />
– and I am optimistic that real benefits<br />
will be seen in terms of investment,<br />
innovation, skills, and employment.<br />
Our members tell us that clear<br />
channels of communication and<br />
accessible engagement on incoming<br />
regulations are essential in order for<br />
business leaders to engage with decision<br />
makers. And this is why we have been,<br />
and will be, at the table with<br />
Government, working on behalf of<br />
members to achieve those aims.<br />
To succeed, the New Deal for Business<br />
must be realistic. The Government’s<br />
flagship policies of wellbeing and Net<br />
Zero must co-exist with business leaders’<br />
(and their shareholders) need for<br />
meaningful growth. One cannot be<br />
achieved at the expense of another.<br />
Doing business well is an ambition most<br />
leaders strive for, but the numbers need<br />
to add up.<br />
Within an environment of partnership<br />
and transparency, business leaders are<br />
also better able to plan. Coming off the<br />
back of a period where planning was all<br />
but impossible, the confidence boost<br />
from having a plan cannot be<br />
underestimated. Over recent months we<br />
have seen a step-change in planning,<br />
with more leaders asking the critical<br />
questions ahead of time and getting<br />
activation plans in place. It’s great to be<br />
proactive again.<br />
Finally, we have all seen and<br />
experienced the way in which business<br />
optimism rubs off on others. It really is<br />
catching. Which is why we’d urge you to<br />
tell us how confident you are about the<br />
prospects of the businesses and<br />
organisations you lead. You can do this is<br />
through our monthly policy voice<br />
survey, or our annual State of the<br />
Nation survey. The latter should have<br />
landed with you last week.<br />
Or, of course, speak to us at one of our<br />
many national and branch events<br />
planned for the Spring.<br />
I look forward to seeing you there.<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
12 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE<br />
T: 0131 557 5488<br />
E: iod.scotland@iod.com<br />
W: www.iod.com<br />
Nations Director - <strong>Scotland</strong>:<br />
Catherine McWilliam<br />
Catherine.McWilliam@iod.com<br />
Branch Manager:<br />
Patricia Huth<br />
T: 0131 557 5488<br />
Patricia.Huth@iod.com<br />
Commercial Manager, PD:<br />
Natasha Ure<br />
E: natasha.ure@iod.com<br />
T: 0131 460 7681<br />
Direction<br />
Direction is the official membership magazine of <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> and is published by:<br />
Chamber Media Services, 4 Hilton Road, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 3AG<br />
Advertising sales: Colin Regan<br />
T: 07871 444922 / 01942 537959 E: colinregan001@yahoo.co.uk<br />
Production: Rob Beswick<br />
T: 0161 426 7957 / 07964 375216 E: rob@chambermediaservices.co.uk<br />
Editorial: Lisa Donnelly<br />
Please send press releases or editorial for consideration for future issues of Direction to Lisa at<br />
E: lisa@clarkcommunications.co.uk<br />
Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material contained within this magazine, neither <strong>IoD</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, Chamber Media Services nor Clark can accept any responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies in its<br />
editorial or advertising content. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the <strong>IoD</strong>.<br />
The carriage of advertisements or editorials in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the<br />
products or services advertised.<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 03
DIRECTION | WELCOME<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> is in a great place<br />
to make a real difference<br />
Welcome from Catherine<br />
McWilliam, Nations Director,<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Welcome to our Winter edition of<br />
Direction Magazine. <strong>January</strong> is a great<br />
month for reflecting on the year gone<br />
by and looking ahead at what the next<br />
12 months may hold. After a lovely<br />
break over the holiday season, I’ve<br />
been doing just that.<br />
I’m immensely proud of our team and<br />
the work they’ve put in over the course<br />
of 2023. We held more than 70 events<br />
across our branches. These gatherings<br />
provide an opportunity to network with<br />
like-minded leaders, and build new<br />
connections, as well as learn more about<br />
specific issues and opportunities from<br />
specialists across a range of sectors.<br />
We also welcomed over 200 new<br />
members, and I’m pleased to see how<br />
much our membership is evolving.<br />
There’s no longer a stereotype; we now<br />
play host to a diverse range of leaders<br />
from across <strong>Scotland</strong>’s rich tapestry.<br />
More women, increased cultural<br />
diversity, and a range of ages allows <strong>IoD</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> to mirror the dynamic essence<br />
of our nation’s business landscape.<br />
We renewed our commitment to our<br />
rural communities last year, by<br />
appointing joint chairs for the Highlands<br />
and Islands branch, with Alison Wilson<br />
leading support for the Highlands, and<br />
Clare Winskill for the Islands. By<br />
tailoring our offering, we can better drill<br />
down into the issues affecting local<br />
business and push leaders’ priorities for<br />
change, such as adequate<br />
accommodation for staff, local tourism<br />
or access to national support for<br />
international trade.<br />
We continued to champion our<br />
members, and strived for a seat at every<br />
table where decisions are being made.<br />
Our involvement in the New Deal for<br />
Business group, which our chair Julie<br />
Ashworth discussed on the previous<br />
page, allowed us to advocate for leaders<br />
to become involved with policy making<br />
at the planning stage, rather than<br />
further down the line as the policy<br />
becomes reality and it is more difficult to<br />
exert our influence on it.<br />
We eagerly await the implementation<br />
of our recommendations at Government<br />
level, and will be monitoring this closely<br />
throughout <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
A challenging year<br />
Of course, 2023 was not an easy year,<br />
and leaders are still navigating the<br />
effects of the pandemic, along with<br />
additional issues caused by global<br />
unrest. Business confidence is low, with<br />
skill shortages still topping the list of key<br />
concerns for our members.<br />
Attracting and retaining talent is<br />
challenging, and the introduction of an<br />
additional income tax band at the<br />
Scottish budget in December has also<br />
cast a shadow on <strong>Scotland</strong>’s economic<br />
horizon. With six tax bands compared to<br />
the rest of the UK’s three, this<br />
divergence is disappointing, and may<br />
hinder <strong>Scotland</strong>’s ability to compete on a<br />
broader stage.<br />
We’re also set for the possibility of a<br />
change in leadership at UK level<br />
following the General Election later in<br />
the year.<br />
These factors all add an element of<br />
uncertainty to strategic planning,<br />
however <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> is committed to<br />
supporting members with advice, and<br />
amplifying the collective influence of our<br />
members at government level.<br />
We’re looking for your thoughts on<br />
the skills shortage, plus other business<br />
issues and opportunities, in our annual<br />
State of the Nation survey, which was<br />
issued last week. If you haven’t already,<br />
please do take time to have your say so<br />
we can use this insight to shape our<br />
dialogue with Government officials.<br />
Sustainability theme<br />
We’re going to have a different theme<br />
for each edition of Direction in <strong>2024</strong>,<br />
with this issue focusing on sustainability<br />
in business practice.<br />
Our Spring issue will be centred<br />
around artificial intelligence, so if you<br />
have any insights you’d like to share, or<br />
have any comments or questions, please<br />
do drop me an email, at<br />
Catherine.McWilliam@iod.com.<br />
In the meantime, I look forward to<br />
seeing many of you at our events, in our<br />
hubs, or for a coffee over the next few<br />
months.<br />
Wishing you all a happy, successful<br />
<strong>2024</strong>.<br />
“We also welcomed over 200 new members, and I’m pleased to<br />
see how much our membership is evolving. There’s no longer a<br />
stereotype; we now play host to a diverse range of leaders from<br />
across <strong>Scotland</strong>’s rich tapestry. More women, increased cultural<br />
diversity, and a range of ages allows <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> to mirror the<br />
dynamic essence of our nation’s business landscape...”<br />
04 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> NEWS | DIRECTION<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> Edinburgh & the Lothians<br />
Fiery FMQs and an insightful lunch with MSPs<br />
Members of the Edinburgh branch were given an<br />
opportunity to engage with key decision makers at<br />
Holyrood in November. The 30-strong group attended<br />
a lively FMQ session at Parliament before sitting down<br />
to a private lunch with Angus Robertson, Cabinet<br />
Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture<br />
(who was representing his Edinburgh Central<br />
constituency rather than his cabinet role) and the MSP<br />
for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson.<br />
The group was able to put their questions to the<br />
MSPs and engage in open and insightful conversations<br />
over lunch at the Wedgwood. Assurances were given<br />
that open dialogue with business leaders was high on<br />
the agenda for MSPs, and members were encouraged<br />
to share their views on the challenges and<br />
opportunities facing Scottish businesses.<br />
We’d like to extend our thanks to Mr Robertson and<br />
Mr Macpherson for their time, and look forward to our<br />
next visit to Holyrood.<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> Central<br />
Handlebar heroes: From Calais to Cannes in 13 days<br />
Brian Williamson, vice chair of <strong>IoD</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s Central branch, completed a<br />
momentous 927-mile cycle with two<br />
friends in November, raising a huge<br />
£22,683.88 for charity.<br />
Former high school basketball stars<br />
Norrie Bairner, 71, Bobby Morton, 69, and<br />
Brian, 67, were aided by friend and<br />
another former basketball player,<br />
Campbell Ferrier, 69, who drove a<br />
campervan alongside them. The money<br />
raised has been split between the<br />
Strathcarron Hospice, Kidney Kids<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, Pancreatic Cancer, Diabetes<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, and The Melanoma Society.<br />
Brian, an entrepreneur who has backed<br />
many local businesses and start-ups,<br />
said: “We had a blast from day one and it<br />
was a great experience. Everyone was so<br />
supportive and welcoming everywhere<br />
we went – a French newspaper in<br />
Mercurey liked our story so much they<br />
interviewed us and published it.<br />
“The weather was definitely on our side<br />
and we didn’t have any issues apart from<br />
going onto a motorway at one point!<br />
“Some roads were terrifying at times,<br />
and we had a lucky break when we met a<br />
Quebec-born fellow cyclist just as we<br />
approached the horribly busy traffic on<br />
the verge of the city of Lyons. He gave up<br />
his lunchtime cycle ride to steer us a<br />
course through the heavy traffic and I<br />
doubt we could have managed without<br />
him.<br />
“The toughest part of the trip was<br />
climbing Mont Ventoux in Provence as<br />
every hairpin bend was followed by a<br />
steeper climb to the next hairpin bend.<br />
“If you had said to us a few months ago<br />
that we would have completed such a<br />
927-mile cycle from Calais to Cannes<br />
challenge, we simply wouldn’t have<br />
believed you.<br />
“It just shows that in life you can<br />
achieve a lot more than you think you are<br />
capable of doing. And we arrived one day<br />
earlier than scheduled!”<br />
The trio have not been fazed by the<br />
experience and are actively considering<br />
their next trip.<br />
Brian (left) with pals Norrie and Bobbie<br />
after their triumphant arrival on the<br />
French coast<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 05
DIRECTION | <strong>IoD</strong> NEWS<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> Glasgow and the West of <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Creating connections and understanding transport<br />
A number of transport-related issues<br />
meant that businesses in the West of<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> faced a challenging time in<br />
2023. The M8 roadworks continued to<br />
create significant delays to across the<br />
city, and the new Low Emission Zone<br />
(LEZ) created further complexity and<br />
cost for some businesses.<br />
In the wider region, continued issues<br />
with the Aran Ferries, major roadworks<br />
in Inverclyde and Ayrshire, and a fire at<br />
Ayr railway station have also created<br />
challenges for business and travellers.<br />
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to<br />
have a significant impact on business<br />
footfall in Glasgow, directly impacting<br />
businesses and <strong>IoD</strong> members that<br />
support daytime business trade, and the<br />
reduction in face-to-face meetings<br />
continues to change how business<br />
connections are created.<br />
But despite all of this, businesses in<br />
the West of <strong>Scotland</strong> have continued to<br />
show resilience, and the <strong>IoD</strong> has also<br />
been playing its part. In September a<br />
new <strong>IoD</strong> members hub was introduced<br />
at the VEGA at YOTEL in Glasgow. This<br />
excellent facility is centrally located next<br />
to Glasgow’s Central Station, providing a<br />
perfect place to touch down to work,<br />
meet clients, enjoy a drink at the end of<br />
the day or, if you wish, entertain clients<br />
or friends at one of the two bowling<br />
alleys.<br />
Understanding and influencing the<br />
wider transport issues in the West of<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> was seen as a key priority for<br />
the <strong>IoD</strong> in the region, and in October the<br />
Glasgow and West members were<br />
hosted at an event by Bruce Kiloh, head<br />
of policy and planning at the Strathclyde<br />
Partnership for Transport (SPT).<br />
Bruce took us all through SPT’s<br />
regional transport strategy, as well as<br />
insights into the challenges of running<br />
and developing a transport system in the<br />
post-Covid world which has dramatically<br />
changed how, when and why we travel.<br />
• To read the SPT report, click here<br />
West of <strong>Scotland</strong> members<br />
in the new <strong>IoD</strong> hub at the<br />
VEGA, YOTEL Glasgow<br />
06 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
DOWNTIME | DIRECTION<br />
Glasgow’s world-renowned music<br />
festival, Celtic Connections, is brightening<br />
up these dark winter days with a host of<br />
sensational live performances across<br />
Glasgow.<br />
From the Barrowland Ballroom to the<br />
Pavilion Theatre, 1,200 musicians are<br />
performing at over 300 events until<br />
Sunday, February 4.<br />
Whether it’s traditional folk, jazz, soul,<br />
or rock that gets your foot tapping,<br />
there’s something available for everyone<br />
with workshops, dementia-friendly<br />
performances, screenings and intimate<br />
gigs on offer.<br />
On February 1, American banjo player<br />
Béla Fleck will showcase his incredible<br />
talent that earned him the 2022 Best<br />
Photo credit: Gaelle Beri<br />
Celtic Connections drums up excitement<br />
Bluegrass Album Grammy.<br />
While on February 3, the Traditional<br />
Music and Song Association will stage<br />
Scots Women: Generations o’ Change at<br />
City Hall to honour Scottish female folk<br />
singers through a collaborative musical<br />
journey.<br />
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for<br />
Celtic Connections, said: “A huge amount<br />
of effort goes into a festival of this scale,<br />
and everyone has been working<br />
extremely hard to make this year’s 18-day<br />
event one of our most memorable.<br />
“With a diverse line-up being staged<br />
across the city, world premieres and rare<br />
performances from some of the most<br />
acclaimed artists in the world, there’s<br />
truly something special for everyone.”<br />
A hole-in-one for the<br />
far North of <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Lonely Planet has named the Far North<br />
of <strong>Scotland</strong> as one of the best regions to<br />
travel to this year.<br />
Home to some of the most breathtaking<br />
coastal scenes and sweeping landscapes,<br />
the area not only boasts unbelievable<br />
natural beauty but is home to the<br />
world-class Royal Dornoch Golf Club.<br />
The 18-hole course offers unspoilt<br />
mountainous views which have landed it<br />
a spot in Golf Digest’s top 100 courses.<br />
It offers tranquillity alongside challenging<br />
domed greens and strategically placed<br />
bunkers. The Dornoch Firth bay leaves a<br />
narrow strip of curving dune land for the<br />
parallel fairways, with hole 17 and 18<br />
finishing at the white sandy beach.<br />
For more information. visit:<br />
https://royaldornoch.com/<br />
For further details, visit: https://www.celticconnections.com/<br />
Photo: UNIQLO<br />
UNIQLO’s a perfect fit for<br />
Edinburgh’s High Street<br />
Popular fashion retailer UNIQLO is<br />
opening a new store in Edinburgh this<br />
spring.<br />
The Japanese clothing brand boasts<br />
high quality pieces as part of its LifeWear<br />
philosophy to create a wardrobe that will<br />
last forever. UNIQLO’s unique blend of<br />
style and comfort has allowed for the<br />
blossoming company to cater for all<br />
demographics and for every occasion,<br />
from school wear to office attire.<br />
The company also produces innovative<br />
HEATTECH thermal clothing with fibres<br />
one tenth the width of a human hair in<br />
place to retain body heat.<br />
UNIQLO Edinburgh will be located on<br />
Princes Street, a prime shopping spot in<br />
the city centre, and will span two floors.<br />
More at https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/<br />
Two Sisters takes centre stage<br />
The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh brings the thought-provoking and emotive<br />
play Two Sisters to the Scottish capital this February.<br />
This slice-of-life production is a new play by David Greig which follows siblings<br />
Amy and Emma as they return to their childhood ‘paradise,’ a seaside caravan park.<br />
The pair explore a changed resort and their own personal growth – or lack of it.<br />
A chance meeting with an old acquintance has memories flooding back to remind<br />
them that their old selves might not be as far removed as they might have thought.<br />
Directed by Wils Wilson, the story looks at who we were at 16, who we are now<br />
and the gap in between. It runs from February 10 until March 2. Tickets details can<br />
be found at https://lyceum.org.uk/events/two-sisters<br />
New Six by Nico shows he’s cooking with gas<br />
Fine dining mastermind Nico Simeone<br />
has expanded his ever-evolving set<br />
menu concept with a new Six by Nico<br />
location in Glasgow. The Merchant City<br />
joint with a ‘new look’ comes after six<br />
years of imaginative and affordable<br />
cuisine in Finnieston, Southside and<br />
Byres Road.<br />
The restaurant, which serves six courses<br />
paired with wines that tie into an overarching theme, launched on <strong>January</strong> 15 with<br />
its first concept of <strong>2024</strong>: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Impeccably presented dishes<br />
including ‘The White Rabbit’, ‘Paint The Roses Red’ and ‘Off With Its Head!’ make<br />
for a unique and playful Alice in Wonderland inspired dining experience in the<br />
heart of Glasgow. For bookings, visit: https://www.sixbynico.co.uk/<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 07
DIRECTION | SUSTAINABILITY<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong>’s Sustainability Ambassadors<br />
are here to help<br />
Sustainability is no longer viewed as a ‘nice to<br />
have’ in business strategy. The ability to articulate<br />
a clear position in respect to sustainability issues<br />
can give businesses the edge, help attract and<br />
retain team members in a difficult recruitment<br />
market, potentially offer new strategic<br />
opportunities and reduce business risks.<br />
Many businesses are using sustainability to<br />
drive growth and move to positions of a ‘new<br />
normal’ with a focus on continued but<br />
sustainable growth, resilience in supply chains<br />
and the ability to embrace new opportunities<br />
presented by the low carbon (net zero) and<br />
circular economy.<br />
Next steps<br />
Working out how and where to start can be a<br />
real challenge. For those companies already<br />
progressing, identifying the next steps can often<br />
seem bewildering. The world of sustainability is<br />
full of jargon and targets, but it need not be<br />
complicated. The drivers to incorporate<br />
sustainability in your business may vary but often<br />
include regulatory, investor and consumer<br />
demands.<br />
Formal systems and accreditations such as ESG<br />
(environmental, social, and corporate<br />
governance) and B-Corp certification, among<br />
others, can help, but may not be appropriate for<br />
all. The key is to articulate a clear and authentic<br />
position which can be reflected in the way your<br />
business operates.<br />
How the <strong>IoD</strong> can help<br />
The <strong>IoD</strong> is here to help its members. On a UK<br />
basis the <strong>IoD</strong> publishes papers and manages<br />
events focused on the sustainability issue. It has<br />
got off to an early start in <strong>January</strong> <strong>2024</strong> by<br />
publishing a paper titled ‘Grasping the Net Zero<br />
Opportunity’ and presenting a case study of<br />
Turley Advisors, ‘Empowering the whole business<br />
to achieve net zero’. These resources are<br />
available free of charge on the <strong>IoD</strong> website.<br />
Click<br />
here<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s role<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>, via a network of regional<br />
Sustainability Ambassadors, can offer support<br />
and can connect you to others that may be able<br />
to help. These Ambassadors have a broad range<br />
of experience and act as a conduit to help your<br />
network with other members.<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> members are encouraged to<br />
contact the National Lead and Regional <strong>IoD</strong><br />
Sustainability Ambassadors, or they can be<br />
accessed via the regional Branch Chairs who are<br />
happy to help.<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> Sustainability Leads working<br />
with the Regional Branches offer events, with<br />
networking opportunities and the chance to hear<br />
from experts in the field as well as case studies<br />
from members.<br />
Following on from the success of the seminar<br />
organised by the Aberdeen Branch in October<br />
2023, a second Sustainability Seminar and<br />
Opportunity saw the co-Chairs of the Highlands<br />
and Islands <strong>IoD</strong> Branch, Alison Wilson and Clare<br />
Winskill, meet up with members 24th <strong>January</strong>.<br />
The event included updates from the<br />
manufacturing, transportation, hospitality,<br />
renewable and finance sectors and concluded<br />
with a tour of Uile-bheist’s state-of-the-art<br />
sustainable distillery and brewery.<br />
Keep an eye on the <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> page of the<br />
website for future events focused on<br />
sustainability, to be organised across <strong>Scotland</strong> in<br />
<strong>2024</strong><br />
08 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
SUSTAINABILITY | DIRECTION<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> Sustainability Leads in <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Location<br />
Background<br />
Wendy Rayner National Lead Sustainable resource use, waste and circular economy.<br />
wendy.rayner@gov.scot<br />
Mark Wilson Aberdeen ESG, net zero and energy.<br />
mwilson@oeuk.org.uk<br />
Callum Cruden<br />
callum@ricruden.net<br />
Highland & Islands (Inverness) Green energy and net zero transition<br />
Lisa Lambie Highland & Islands (Oban) Green investment and finance<br />
lisa.lambie@marooninvest.com<br />
Paul Codd Edinburgh & Lothians Green energy and technology<br />
paul@flexergy.net<br />
If you are an <strong>IoD</strong> member and would be interested in becoming an <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> Regional Sustainability Lead<br />
please get in contact with your Branch Chair or Wendy Rayner.<br />
Callum Cruden<br />
Wendy Rayner<br />
“Sustainable and inclusive business growth is not only good<br />
for the planet... research shows that companies which integrate<br />
ESG into their growth strategies outperform their peers.<br />
Analysis by McKinsey & Co demonstrates that a strong ESG<br />
commitment adds additional shareholder value for companies that<br />
also exceed their peers in growth and profitability. The message is<br />
clear: not only can you do well while doing good, you can do better.”<br />
The <strong>IoD</strong> runs courses and training events<br />
throughout the year, focused on sustainability.<br />
Click the button below for more details<br />
Click<br />
here<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 09
DIRECTION | SUSTAINABILITY<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> Fife & Tayside<br />
Exploring sustainability: A journey<br />
through time at the RSGS<br />
On September 28, members of the <strong>IoD</strong><br />
were invited to embark on a unique<br />
exploration of sustainability, hosted by<br />
the Fife & Tayside branch. Held at the<br />
Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s<br />
(RSGS) historic Lord John Murray House<br />
in Perth City Centre, this event gave us<br />
not only a glimpse into <strong>Scotland</strong>’s rich<br />
geographical history but also an<br />
opportunity to learn from the past for a<br />
sustainable future.<br />
The event showcased the Climate<br />
Solutions Accelerator course, a<br />
collaborative effort between <strong>IoD</strong> and<br />
RSGS, designed to equip business<br />
leaders with the knowledge to navigate<br />
the challenges of a rapidly changing<br />
climate.<br />
Mike Robinson, RSGS Chief Executive,<br />
led discussions on sustainability, drawing<br />
on his vast experience in climate action,<br />
policy development, and collaborative<br />
initiatives.<br />
Unexpected Leadership in<br />
Sustainability<br />
Surprisingly, <strong>Scotland</strong> emerged as a<br />
leader in sustainability discussions. The<br />
RSGS, a dynamic educational charity,<br />
spearheaded geographical<br />
understanding and joined-up thinking.<br />
In the same way Mike Robinson’s<br />
visionary leadership not only revitalised<br />
the RSGS but also played a pivotal role in<br />
shaping <strong>Scotland</strong>’s climate change<br />
legislation and initiatives.<br />
Marlene Lowe, Chair of Fife<br />
& Tayside branch said : “The<br />
old explorers were storytellers.”<br />
The event, with its captivating<br />
narrative, unfolded as a<br />
tapestry of resilience, growth,<br />
and adaptation spanning 130<br />
years. Attendees found<br />
themselves immersed in a<br />
world of history, forgetting<br />
everything but the captivating<br />
stories of explorers and<br />
geographical pioneers.”<br />
Signing the same guest book<br />
as legends like David<br />
Attenborough and Neil<br />
Armstrong, attendees left with<br />
a profound sense of privilege,<br />
having witnessed the profound<br />
impact of the RSGS’s work on a<br />
global scale.<br />
The event was held in<br />
partnership with RSGS, Perthshire<br />
Chamber of Commerce, and Blackadders.<br />
A sincere thank you to the <strong>IoD</strong> team for<br />
orchestrating this enlightening<br />
experience. Together, attendees paved<br />
the way for a more sustainable and<br />
interconnected world.<br />
For more information on<br />
the Climate Solutions<br />
Accelerator course, a<br />
collaborative effort<br />
between <strong>IoD</strong> and RSGS<br />
Click<br />
here<br />
Lord John Murray House<br />
10 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
SUSTAINABILITY | DIRECTION<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> Highlands & Islands<br />
‘Region offers a unique landscape for businesses who<br />
want to embed sustainability into their operations’<br />
As we begin <strong>2024</strong>, we thank our<br />
former <strong>IoD</strong> Highlands and<br />
Islands branch chair, Donald<br />
Forsyth, for his leadership<br />
over the years and wish him<br />
well in his non-exec roles<br />
with a range of businesses.<br />
Co-chairs, Alison Wilson<br />
(Highlands) and Clare<br />
Winskill (Islands) have taken<br />
on the mantle and look forward<br />
to representing and building our<br />
membership across the region.<br />
Our priority<br />
Sustainability is a key priority for our<br />
members, and we are delighted that,<br />
alongside Lisa Lambie, Callum Cruden has<br />
joined our committee as an additional<br />
sustainability ambassador (see page 9 for<br />
contact details).<br />
The Highlands and Islands present a<br />
unique landscape for businesses seeking to<br />
integrate sustainability into their<br />
operations. Opportunities abound in<br />
harnessing the region’s rich natural<br />
resources for renewable energy. At our first<br />
drop-in session last week, we heard how<br />
the Green Freeport will help realise a<br />
potential to become the largest European<br />
Alison Wilson<br />
hub for the development of the<br />
offshore wind industry and<br />
associated renewable energy<br />
technologies. With the<br />
creation of more than 10,000<br />
jobs and the draw of leading<br />
green technology and<br />
renewables, the importance of<br />
the Green Freeport cannot be<br />
understated in reversing population<br />
decline in our area.<br />
Our landscapes offer ideal settings for<br />
eco-tourism, promoting both environmental<br />
conservation and economic growth. The<br />
local agriculture sector has the potential to<br />
embrace sustainable practices, fostering<br />
resilient and environmentally friendly food<br />
production.<br />
Challenges<br />
However, the region’s journey towards<br />
sustainability will not be easy. The<br />
geography poses logistical<br />
challenges and costs in<br />
implementing green<br />
technologies and sustainable<br />
practices. Infrastructure<br />
development is crucial to<br />
connect businesses with sustainable<br />
solutions. Finding a balance between much<br />
needed economic growth and conservation<br />
is also a delicate challenge. For example, in<br />
the fishing industry, where sustainable<br />
practices are essential to preserving marine<br />
ecosystems, rural communities depend on<br />
fishing and jobs in aquaculture to prevent<br />
further depopulation. Similarly in tourism,<br />
high levels of debt, high energy costs and<br />
the effects of the cost-of-living crisis are<br />
making investment in renewables for many<br />
businesses impossible without financial<br />
support.<br />
Collaboration between businesses,<br />
government and local communities is key<br />
to overcoming these challenges.<br />
Investment in sustainable infrastructure,<br />
education and innovation will be pivotal in<br />
ensuring that the Highlands and Islands<br />
not only seize the opportunities presented<br />
by sustainability, but also address the<br />
unique challenges associated with our<br />
geographical and economic<br />
context.<br />
Clare Winskill<br />
“Investment in sustainable infrastructure, education and<br />
innovation will be pivotal in ensuring that the Highlands and<br />
Islands not only seize the opportunities presented by<br />
sustainability but also address the unique challenges associated<br />
with our geographical and economic context.”<br />
“The Highlands has the<br />
chance to become the<br />
largest European hub for<br />
the development of the<br />
offshore wind industry<br />
and associated renewable<br />
energy technologies...”<br />
Port of Nigg, Cromarty Firth<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 11
DIRECTION | SUSTAINABILITY<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> Aberdeen & Grampian<br />
How sustainable is your sustainability?<br />
A series of events dedicated to the<br />
business opportunities created by<br />
the sustainability agenda,<br />
launched by Aberdeen, are being<br />
rolled out across <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
There are big opportunities for Scottish businesses,<br />
including <strong>IoD</strong> members, on the subject of<br />
sustainability.<br />
That was made clear at the first sustainability<br />
event held in Aberdeen on October 31. The event<br />
was designed to outline the sustainability<br />
opportunities/ challenges, increase awareness and<br />
provide understanding of national and regional<br />
sustainability matters. The Aberdeen format will be<br />
rolled out across other Scottish <strong>IoD</strong> regions.<br />
The aims of the sessions are:<br />
n To highlight the opportunities (and risks) to<br />
business with respect to sustainability;<br />
n To articulate the key targets and actions for<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>/ UK;<br />
n To highlight existing support available to<br />
Members (and their organisations);<br />
n To inform using case studies and show additional<br />
value and expertise in the sustainability space to<br />
members; and<br />
n To seek new members to <strong>IoD</strong> operating in the<br />
sustainability market.<br />
For the first session, the <strong>IoD</strong> Aberdeen<br />
committee was keen that it was not dominated by<br />
those businesses that are related to the energy<br />
sector; given the Aberdeen location that would be<br />
very easy to do. As such we were keen to provide a<br />
varied team of presenters.<br />
The line up included:<br />
Arnold Clark: Pablo Levi, Group Sustainability<br />
Manager<br />
Robert Gordon University: Veronica Strachan,<br />
University Secretary and Vice Principal<br />
Port of Aberdeen: Roddy James, Chief<br />
Commercial Officer<br />
Aberdeen Football Club: Zoe Ogilvie, Board<br />
Director AFC<br />
Zero Waste <strong>Scotland</strong>: Kenny Taylor, Partner:<br />
Energy Infrastructure<br />
All the presenters gave their own unique view of<br />
sustainability, whether that be via the technology,<br />
innovation, people, skills, culture lens.<br />
What was very apparent was that there was no<br />
one approach, although the setting of business<br />
targets and communicating these to relevant<br />
stakeholders was a common theme.<br />
The diverse nature of the presenters certainly<br />
allowed for a thought-provoking session that<br />
generated many learnings that those attending<br />
could take into their own businesses.<br />
Other learnings included the importance of<br />
ensuring that investment is committed to your<br />
organisation’s plans; ensuring that you choose the<br />
right investment area; make sure the focus is on the<br />
big-ticket items that can influence behaviour and<br />
drive performance improvements; the role of<br />
leadership support and buy-in; how to link<br />
sustainability into the organisational vision/<br />
mission statement; and ensuring that feedback on<br />
how the initiatives has made a difference is<br />
communicated via a sustainable communication<br />
approach.<br />
The next sustainability session for the<br />
Aberdeen & Grampian Branch will take<br />
place in early March <strong>2024</strong> in Aberdeen to<br />
allow for those that wish to travel by train<br />
to do so via a day trip. Watch out for<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> updates with further information.<br />
12 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
SUSTAINABILITY | DIRECTION<br />
Navigating the<br />
path to corporate<br />
sustainability:<br />
A director’s guide<br />
by Pablo Levi,<br />
Group Sustainability Manager<br />
at Arnold Clark<br />
In an era where environmental and social concerns<br />
increasingly shape business landscapes, company<br />
directors find themselves at the forefront of a new<br />
imperative: sustainability.<br />
While the concept may seem broad and<br />
daunting, a strategic and focused approach cannot<br />
only mitigate risks but also uncover opportunities<br />
for financial growth. Here I will lay out three key<br />
principles that directors should consider when<br />
steering their companies toward sustainability.<br />
Materiality: Guiding sustainability efforts<br />
with the TCFD Framework<br />
Sustainability, in its expansive scope,<br />
encompasses a myriad of environmental, social,<br />
and governance (ESG) factors. Recognising that it is<br />
impractical for companies to address every aspect,<br />
directors should zero in on areas that pose material<br />
financial risks or opportunities. The Task Force on<br />
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)<br />
framework is a valuable tool in this endeavour.<br />
The TCFD framework provides a structured<br />
approach to assess and disclose climate-related<br />
risks and opportunities. Even if a business is not<br />
mandated to disclose these, conducting a thorough<br />
TCFD analysis will help directors identify where<br />
sustainability intersects with the core financial<br />
aspects of their business. This focus ensures that<br />
efforts are not wasted on low-impact areas or those<br />
that are misaligned with the company’s long-term<br />
financial health.<br />
Integration of sustainability with operations:<br />
A prerequisite for success<br />
One pitfall that directors must avoid is the<br />
isolation of sustainability initiatives from the<br />
operational core of the business. Sustainability<br />
should not be a separate entity but an integral part<br />
of the company’s operations. To achieve this<br />
integration, collaboration between the<br />
sustainability team or committee and<br />
operational units is paramount.<br />
Operational feasibility is the linchpin that<br />
binds sustainability goals with day-to-day<br />
business functions. Directors must ensure that<br />
sustainability measures are not merely<br />
conceptual but are rooted in the practicality<br />
of implementation. By fostering a culture of<br />
cross-functional collaboration, directors can<br />
break down silos, making it easier to embed<br />
sustainable practices into the fabric of the<br />
organisation.<br />
Aligning sustainability plans with<br />
business planning cycles<br />
The third crucial element in a director’s approach<br />
to sustainability is understanding and aligning the<br />
timing of sustainability plans with the unique<br />
planning cycles of each business. Sustainability<br />
initiatives are investments in the future, and their<br />
success depends on congruence with the temporal<br />
dynamics of the industry.<br />
Different industries operate on distinct timelines.<br />
For instance, businesses in the oil and gas sector<br />
often contend with planning horizons that extend<br />
over three decades. In contrast, more volatile<br />
industries may need to recalibrate their strategies<br />
every five years. Directors must tailor their<br />
sustainability plans to harmonise with these cycles,<br />
ensuring that long-term investments are aligned<br />
with the business’s overarching goals and adapt to<br />
evolving market conditions.<br />
In conclusion, the path to corporate sustainability<br />
demands a strategic, focused, and integrated<br />
approach. Directors must prioritise materiality<br />
through frameworks like TCFD, integrate<br />
sustainability efforts into operations, and align<br />
plans with the unique planning cycles of their<br />
businesses.<br />
Sustainability can feel like a daunting task but, in<br />
the end, it is just another business issue that can be<br />
framed and approached by using tools and<br />
processes that are already in most director’s<br />
toolkits.<br />
“Sustainability<br />
should not be a<br />
separate entity<br />
but an integral<br />
part of your<br />
operations...”<br />
Pablo Levi<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 13
DIRECTION | <strong>IoD</strong> NEWS<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
Making a positive<br />
impact on the planet<br />
Participants look at a screen showing a<br />
world map with climate anomalies<br />
during the World Climate Change<br />
Conference at Le Bourge, France.<br />
When it comes to ESG, small businesses can<br />
make a big difference, says David Cox,<br />
Business Development at Rewired Earth<br />
Until recently, much of the pressure to<br />
become sustainable has fallen upon larger<br />
organisations. However, small businesses<br />
make up the greater part of the<br />
economy, and so it’s critical that they too<br />
are addressing global sustainability goals.<br />
Leaders already have enough on their<br />
plate with challenges like inflation,<br />
recession, and technological disruption<br />
to name just a few. We seldom have the<br />
resources in both talent and technology<br />
for a major investment aimed at<br />
addressing the environmental and social<br />
change needed to thrive in this modern<br />
market place.<br />
However, having a good sustainability<br />
strategy can improve reputation, create<br />
greater value, increase transparency, and<br />
navigate regulation. It can also be a<br />
growth engine and build resilience.<br />
In a survey by Rewired Earth, 78% of<br />
consumers agreed with the statement ‘If<br />
I could, I would only buy sustainable<br />
products’. This shows us that there is a<br />
huge appetite for sustainable products<br />
and practices, and not just from<br />
consumers. Data also shows that<br />
sustainability is a pivotal driver of<br />
employee engagement, and attracting<br />
and retaining talent.<br />
A sustainability strategy can also lead<br />
to improved operational efficiency.<br />
Larger businesses are being rightly held<br />
accountable for their supply chain<br />
transparency, but having a commitment<br />
to ESG is vital for any organisation<br />
operating as part of a supply chain.<br />
Renewable energy can reduce costs,<br />
while digitalisation can have a positive<br />
impact on the environment. Recycled<br />
materials can reduce wastage, and could<br />
lead to a new line of products.<br />
But implementing a sustainability<br />
strategy can seem like a cumbersome<br />
task – it doesn’t have to be. It should be<br />
simple and easy to execute.<br />
There are five steps to consider:<br />
n A purpose-driven business mission –<br />
focusing on people and planet.<br />
n A culture of sustainability led from the<br />
top.<br />
n A materiality assessment focusing on<br />
the greatest impact.<br />
n Operational transformation.<br />
n Reporting to stakeholders.<br />
First steps<br />
Begin by understanding what is<br />
important to your customers and their<br />
customers from a sustainability<br />
perspective. This will help focus on where<br />
“In a survey by Rewired Earth,<br />
78% of consumers agreed with<br />
the statement ‘If I could, I would<br />
only buy sustainable products’.<br />
This shows us that there is a<br />
huge appetite for sustainable<br />
products and practices...”<br />
you can add the most value.<br />
Focus on one or two of the UN’s<br />
Sustainble Development Goals, rather<br />
than all 17 at once. Remember that doing<br />
something is better than nothing, and<br />
when it comes to reporting, hone in on<br />
one or two key data points, not several.<br />
Impact is about quality, not quantity.<br />
For example, if vehicles are important<br />
in your operations, implement a clean<br />
vehicle fleet management programme.<br />
Maybe your board can be more diverse.<br />
If your employees are below minimum<br />
wage, increase their compensation.<br />
Increase training. Offer employees ESG<br />
investments in their pension plans.<br />
Create a network of like-minded<br />
businesses which support each other.<br />
Build partnerships to grow your business.<br />
Sustainability itself can become an<br />
engine of growth through a like-minded<br />
ecosystem.<br />
Ask for help, if you need it. Financial<br />
institutions can provide special financing<br />
services. Industry associations can offer<br />
advice and expertise. Policy makers can<br />
provide targeted incentives to encourage<br />
higher performance.<br />
Small businesses are an economy’s<br />
major source of innovation and growth,<br />
but it’s the larger enterprises that get<br />
most of the attention. Investing in small<br />
businesses through both private and<br />
public sources remains one of the most<br />
underrated investments. Without small<br />
businesses a more sustainable and<br />
inclusive world simply remains beyond<br />
our reach.<br />
If you are a small business, the time to<br />
start developing your sustainability story<br />
is now.<br />
14 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
09
DIRECTION | BEHIND THE DESK<br />
Education has the power to<br />
help everyone succeed<br />
Each issue, Direction catches up with a<br />
prominent Scottish leader to find out a<br />
little more about life in their sector, and<br />
what makes them tick. This issue,<br />
Marie Hendry, Chief Executive of the<br />
College Development Network<br />
What is the greatest recurring challenge<br />
you come across in your role, and what’s<br />
your strategy for dealing with it?<br />
The education sector, like the wider<br />
public sector in general, is facing a time<br />
of significant change and financial<br />
challenge. We need to ensure that the<br />
organisation is fit for the future and<br />
focused upon our core purpose –<br />
supporting the development of people<br />
and practice in colleges, and of its<br />
leaders, staff and board members in the<br />
sector and beyond. We are also focused<br />
on helping to improve colleges through<br />
the sharing of best practice and<br />
continuous improvement. Our newly<br />
launched three-year strategy is designed<br />
to support those ambitions.<br />
Who, or what, drives you or inspires you?<br />
I’m continually inspired by the people I<br />
work with: the staff and the board at<br />
CDN – and those working in colleges and<br />
sector organisations - all of whom have a<br />
real passion and commitment to<br />
providing high quality and life-changing<br />
education and skills.<br />
Personally, I’m driven by a desire to<br />
see everyone given an opportunity to<br />
succeed in life – and the transformative<br />
power of education to do that.<br />
What is your long-term vision for the<br />
organisation that you lead?<br />
CDN is an organisation valued and<br />
respected for its work in supporting<br />
colleges to develop their practice, their<br />
people, their governance and their<br />
learning and teaching methods. We want<br />
to build upon that and provide the<br />
further education and the wider post-16<br />
education sectors with the high quality,<br />
accessible and expert training,<br />
consultancy, advice and networking<br />
opportunities that will enable them to<br />
develop, improve and thrive in<br />
challenging times.<br />
What keeps you awake at night?<br />
Usually my cats Buddy and Dave<br />
looking for attention!<br />
What makes a good leader great?<br />
A great leader is one who has a vision<br />
and direction. Crucially though, they<br />
need to take people with them towards<br />
that end goal. The great leaders are<br />
those who listen, welcome challenge and<br />
provide opportunities for opinions to be<br />
shared but who aren’t afraid to make the<br />
final decision and stand by it. Authenticity<br />
in leadership is critical – knowing when to<br />
say “thanks”, “well done”, “help” and,<br />
when appropriate, “sorry”.<br />
Have you had a mentor, and what did<br />
he/she add to your development?<br />
I’ve had mentors at various stages in<br />
my career and I’ve been a mentor to<br />
others myself. I’ve found the advice,<br />
support and guidance provided by my<br />
mentors invaluable, particularly during<br />
times of change. The opportunity to<br />
receive trusted advice on a proposed<br />
direction of travel is one that is worth its<br />
weight in gold.<br />
Even leaders aren’t the finished article.<br />
What’s next in your leadership<br />
development journey?<br />
I’m a huge believer in lifelong learning,<br />
whether that be through formal courses<br />
and qualifications, by learning from<br />
others or learning through action. In<br />
times of rapid change, it’s critical to do<br />
them all.<br />
So, with that in mind, I’m going to<br />
undertake some of CDN’s own Executive<br />
Leadership courses. I’m also going to get<br />
out and about to meet leaders in and<br />
around the sector, so I can soak up as<br />
much learning as I can from them. I also<br />
want to lead my organisation in a way<br />
that fosters innovation and impact.<br />
I have the privilege of sitting on a<br />
number of Boards, and the opportunities<br />
to develop, learn from other organisations<br />
and support their strategic direction is<br />
one which I really value – I’d like to do<br />
more here.<br />
What is the ‘next big thing’ that will<br />
transform your sector?<br />
The emergence of AI will undoubtedly<br />
have a transformative impact on how we<br />
deliver learning, engage with students,<br />
undertake assessment and how we each<br />
undertake our day-to-day work.<br />
What piece of technology do you rely<br />
on most?<br />
Definitely my iPhone. The ability to stay<br />
connected while on the go is invaluable,<br />
particularly as I get out and about<br />
meeting people. Having an office in my<br />
pocket really helps get on with the day<br />
job while I’m on trains and in colleges.<br />
What is your favourite social media<br />
platform, and what does it bring to<br />
your business/organisation?<br />
I’m a big fan of LinkedIn as a business<br />
tool. The ability to keep in touch with<br />
people and find useful connections,<br />
insight and advice is really useful.<br />
As an organisation we utilise the<br />
platform as well as YouTube and X, to<br />
connect with our stakeholders and<br />
showcase the amazing work of our<br />
colleges, for example, our CDN College<br />
Award finalists showcases.<br />
What needs fixed?<br />
The idea that there is a one-size-fits-all<br />
education model that benefits everyone<br />
equally. We need to develop a system<br />
and funding that truly supports widening<br />
access to education and supports skills<br />
development, career changes and<br />
education whenever in life people need<br />
to access it and however it best meets<br />
their circumstances, background or<br />
life-chances.<br />
What leadership advice would you give<br />
your younger self?<br />
Take every opportunity to learn and<br />
develop, believe in yourself and do what<br />
makes you happy.<br />
16 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 11
DIRECTION | LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
As CEO of FOR:EV, Steve Dunlop is the man<br />
tasked with helping <strong>Scotland</strong> make the<br />
switch to electric-powered motoring, He<br />
talks to Direction’s Rob Beswick about the<br />
likely potholes in the road ahead – and why,<br />
with foresight and leadership from the top,<br />
ditching petrol and diesel for renewable<br />
electric should become the natural choice<br />
Powering the way<br />
to an EV revolution<br />
You don’t have to be the<br />
biggest Top Gear petrolhead<br />
to know that when it comes<br />
to the cars we drive, we’re in<br />
the middle of a revolution – and it’s<br />
all about electric-powered motoring.<br />
For the past decade the message<br />
from governments and manufacturers<br />
alike has been very clear: ICE is out,<br />
and electric is the future.<br />
It will involve a huge change to the<br />
cars and vans we drive, how we<br />
refuel them and how we think about<br />
them as assets. But if you’re not sure<br />
about whether this is a bandwagon<br />
on which you want to climb on board<br />
– or even if you are downright hostile<br />
to the idea – in many ways it doesn’t<br />
matter: as Steve Dunlop, CEO of<br />
FOR:EV, puts it, “the bets have been<br />
placed; vehicle manufacturers and<br />
governments have backed electric<br />
vehicles (EVs) as a key part of our<br />
response to climate change, and they<br />
are the future now.<br />
“Hydrogen and other technologies<br />
will also have a part to play, but<br />
electric-powered vehicles will play<br />
the dominant role in the future.”<br />
But let’s get the terminology fixed<br />
first, and set the scene. Since Messers<br />
Daimler, Benz, Rolls, Royce and Ford<br />
started tinkering around in their<br />
respective garages, our cars have<br />
been powered by petrol or diesel in<br />
an internal combustion engine –<br />
that’s the ICE bit mentioned above.<br />
But with climate change now a<br />
reality, and efforts being made to<br />
suppress our burning of fossil fuels<br />
and reduce carbon emissions, the<br />
vehicles we drive have been seen as<br />
the low hanging fruit of society’s<br />
transition to a low carbon economy.<br />
And that is where Steve and FOR:EV<br />
comes in. Based in <strong>Scotland</strong>, FOR:EV<br />
owns, installs and operates marketleading,<br />
user-friendly EV charging<br />
points across the UK and Sweden,<br />
working in partnership with a wide<br />
range of businesses and<br />
organisations to supply 100% fully<br />
accredited renewable green energy.<br />
Its goal is to use the latest<br />
technology to provide a stress-free<br />
charging experience for every driver.<br />
“I’m a passionate believer in the<br />
benefits electric cars, vans, lorries<br />
and even bikes bring to our<br />
communities and to our climate,”<br />
Steve says, “but it’s not a time for<br />
advocacy, it’s a time for delivery.<br />
We’re on a journey to end our<br />
reliance on fossil fuels and transition<br />
to electric motoring and that’s why<br />
FOR:EV matters now.”<br />
“Where we come in is making this<br />
happen by creating the EV charging<br />
infrastructure the public and<br />
businesses need. As the production<br />
and diversification of EV vehicles is<br />
ramped up, we must see the same<br />
18 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
ate of expansion of charging<br />
infrastructure to support this. We need<br />
to get our charging capability to the<br />
same level as the manufacturers have<br />
with the production and pipeline<br />
development of the electric cars they<br />
produce, and for the public to be able to<br />
support EVs with enthusiasm, without<br />
obstacles in their way.<br />
“But it’s easy to see that as far as public<br />
support is concerned, there’s work to be<br />
done. It’s going to require a big leap for<br />
the public, and for businesses, to get<br />
behind EVs. We need to help people<br />
make the switch by providing them with<br />
a comprehensive and accessible charging<br />
network. That’s where FOR:EV comes in.”<br />
Steve came to the company 2 1/2 years<br />
ago as Chair at what was a significant<br />
point in the company’s development.<br />
“We were six months into an initial<br />
investment of £2m from the Scottish<br />
National Investment Bank (SNIB), which<br />
had identified FOR:EV as an ideal<br />
business to develop the growth of<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s EV charging infrastructure -<br />
and as such has continued to significantly<br />
invest in the company. It was perfect<br />
timing: many businesses were<br />
developing their own net zero/climate<br />
change plans and looking at their vehicle<br />
fleets as part of a low carbon future. They<br />
needed someone to provide solutions to<br />
their vehicle charging needs.”<br />
With an increase in demand forecast,<br />
FOR:EV got itself into shape. “We<br />
restructured the business so it could do<br />
more, expanded our capability and<br />
developed a first-class management<br />
team. We set off on a really interesting<br />
scaling journey.”<br />
As part of this, a new chief executive<br />
was required, but the culture fit for this<br />
scaling business was crucial. The board<br />
quickly came round to the view that the<br />
best fit was to ask Steve to step in to the<br />
CEO’s role, and for a new chairman to be<br />
appointed.<br />
When looking at Steve’s recent career<br />
you can see the logic behind the<br />
decision. “My background is in<br />
placemaking through regeneration and<br />
investment projects, first with local<br />
authorities, working on a number of<br />
large-scale, complex infrastructure<br />
projects, then with Scottish Canals<br />
(previously known as British Waterways)<br />
where we transformed the waterways of<br />
the UK, and then more latterly with<br />
Scottish Enterprise, taking a more<br />
‘place-based’ economic development<br />
approach.”<br />
“I liked being in the heart of an<br />
infrastructure play that required a<br />
complex range of elements to come<br />
together. The chance to head up FOR:EV<br />
was a good fit with my skillset and<br />
interests. But more than that, there was<br />
this feeling that in the middle of a climate<br />
emergency, here was a business in the<br />
right place, at the right time, to make a<br />
difference. I was driven by the purpose<br />
behind FOR:EV - to help <strong>Scotland</strong> switch<br />
to a net-zero future more quickly.”<br />
So, has he been a long-standing<br />
advocate for action on the environment?<br />
“Very much so. The issue of climate<br />
change and the environment have<br />
always been important for me, but it<br />
came into particular focus with my role at<br />
Scottish Canals and British Waterways.”<br />
“The bets have been placed;<br />
vehicle manufacturers and<br />
governments have backed<br />
electric vehicles (EVs) as a key<br />
part of our response to climate<br />
change, and they are the<br />
future now...”<br />
The challenge of running the nation’s<br />
canal network was an acute one in the<br />
face of a changing climate, he recalls.<br />
“The impact was evident every day on<br />
the canal within the UK’s waterways. The<br />
issue of climate change and the<br />
consequences for infrastructure and the<br />
surrounding environments was a clear<br />
focus for me. Transitioning the canal<br />
network from a heritage environment to<br />
a sustainable resource for the future<br />
meant investment and modernisation,<br />
and there is a relevance of that skillset as<br />
we create an EV infrastructure for the<br />
future. It’s that changing of patterns of<br />
behaviour and systemic thinking that’s<br />
needed as we transition our motoring to<br />
electric.”<br />
“At FOR:EV the job is to change public<br />
behaviour by offering solutions. It’s easy<br />
to say our job is to get the charging<br />
infrastructure right, but it’s important<br />
that first we have a civic narrative about<br />
the transition, removing apprehension<br />
and make the public realise that there’s<br />
no barriers.”<br />
Steve’s the first to admit, though, that<br />
there are plenty of barriers to entry. He<br />
ticks them off: “The cost of vehicles, their<br />
availability, concerns over EV range, the<br />
gaps in the EV charging infrastructure,<br />
challenges of charging at home… they<br />
are all there to be overcome. We know<br />
the challenges the sector faces.”<br />
The good news is progress is being<br />
made on all fronts. “The cost of vehicles<br />
is falling every year, more affordable<br />
models are coming online, and range<br />
anxiety is being eased as new vehicles<br />
post 250-300+ mile ranges. There is a<br />
huge amount of work going in to make<br />
transitioning to electric easier. We’ve a<br />
long way to go on a number of fronts<br />
before buying an EV feels as natural as<br />
buying a petrol or diesel vehicle, but<br />
there’s exciting progress being made.”<br />
It is equally important that “the<br />
charging network develops at the same<br />
pace as these other areas. We know the<br />
infrastructure isn’t where it needs to be<br />
yet – but it will be.”<br />
Continued on page 20<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 19
DIRECTION | THE LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
“What works in Glasgow and<br />
Edinburgh won’t work in the<br />
Highlands and Islands ... it’s<br />
vital that those rural areas<br />
don’t get left behind...”<br />
Continued from page 19<br />
His message to businesses is that even<br />
if there are still obstacles, “don’t kick this<br />
into the long grass to deal with later. It<br />
needs to be addressed now.”<br />
How can FOR:EV help? “Our business<br />
model has two parts to it. First, we invest<br />
in charging points at locations that will<br />
serve the public well, teaming up with<br />
reliable partners in whom the public has<br />
confidence. We pinpoint accessible sites<br />
with people in mind, that are safe and<br />
easy to get to - because we believe this<br />
process is more about the people than<br />
technology. The technology we use is the<br />
best in kind, with outstanding reliability.<br />
Our charging points work off contactless<br />
payment, so you don’t have to access<br />
different apps depending on which<br />
charging site you are at, which is a<br />
common complaint EV owners have. We<br />
back all this up with great customer<br />
service.”<br />
“Second, we offer ‘Charging as a<br />
Service’ – providing a full turnkey offer to<br />
businesses who need charging on site or<br />
at specified locations. This is a fully<br />
funded solution partnered with a blue<br />
chip asset finance partner. We design the<br />
solution for your fleet, finding the best<br />
location for your charging points. It<br />
might be at your offices but if you don’t<br />
have a depot or base, it could be<br />
elsewhere. What’s important is how your<br />
drivers will use it.<br />
“We offer a fully designed service<br />
which will give you a roadmap to<br />
transition your fleet to EV with a full<br />
turnkey solution that will offer bottom<br />
line savings on fuel costs and increased<br />
productivity.”<br />
FOR:EV is targeting inter-model hubs<br />
with infrastructure that will serve both<br />
customers and the businesses that<br />
operate them, “where cars meet other<br />
services – at retail outlets, ferry ports,<br />
train stations, for example. The important<br />
thing is to de-stress the EV process – put<br />
charging points in accessible areas and<br />
create a comprehensive network of<br />
points across <strong>Scotland</strong> that eliminates<br />
range anxiety. Access needs to be<br />
consistent.”<br />
FOR:EV plan to have 3,000 charging<br />
points over the next 12-18 months, “with<br />
lots more in pipeline. We’re linking up<br />
with more businesses and organisations<br />
all the time. Starbucks is a good example<br />
of one of our partners; a customer-facing<br />
operation that wants to be associated<br />
with the positive messages around low<br />
carbon initiatives and climate change<br />
action.”<br />
On the subject of consistency, how did<br />
Steve view Rishi Sunak’s decision in<br />
autumn 2023 to push back the end of<br />
new petrol and diesel vehicle sales to<br />
2035? “We were thrown by it,” he admits,<br />
“and let’s put it this way, I wish he hadn’t<br />
said that. It caused confusion and made<br />
some people question the long-term<br />
future of EVs. There is already enough<br />
public confusion over what they have to<br />
do, and by when, and we didn’t need<br />
anyone exacerbating the problem.”<br />
“But what was crucial was the Prime<br />
Minister kept the rule that 80 per cent of<br />
new car sales, by 2030, had to be EVs.<br />
It’s this, in particular, that will drive<br />
innovation and there was no change in<br />
direction on it, so it’s still the same road<br />
ahead. It caused a wobble, but we can all<br />
live with it.”<br />
It’s not the first bump in the road the<br />
EV sector has experienced, and you feel<br />
it won’t be the last either.<br />
“In <strong>Scotland</strong>, the EV industry was<br />
20 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
kickstarted by the establishment of<br />
ChargePlace <strong>Scotland</strong>. This invested £10s<br />
of millions in EV charging points and got<br />
the sector going. This along with other<br />
government incentives created many<br />
reasons for the public and businesses to<br />
consider moving towards electric<br />
vehicles.<br />
“These policies however, did have<br />
some degree of downside. For example,<br />
local authorities providing free energy to<br />
EV drivers meant the business model<br />
was unsustainable for them and crucially<br />
a disincentive for the private sector to<br />
invest in a commercial way.”<br />
This situation is about to change,<br />
however. “Local authorities are going to<br />
market to find partners with whom they<br />
can develop an EV charging network for<br />
the future. It’s this private sector<br />
involvement that will upgrade existing<br />
charging points and increase the number<br />
and quality in public use.”<br />
While we can be confident that the<br />
most populated areas of <strong>Scotland</strong> will<br />
attract private and public investment, we<br />
need to ensure that all areas and<br />
communities will be served by a suitable<br />
EV charging network.<br />
“EV charging has to be for everyone,”<br />
Steve insists. “There must be equity in<br />
the network - a fairness for all. It’s not<br />
right to only invest in the prosperous<br />
areas of <strong>Scotland</strong> or just the central belt;<br />
we need investment in all areas from all<br />
social economic backgrounds.”<br />
It also needs to accommodate urban<br />
dwellers who don’t have driveways to<br />
charge at home, and those who live in<br />
flats. “That’s a particular problem for<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> as we have a bigger percentage<br />
of the population living in flats and<br />
apartments than the rest of the UK. EV<br />
charging has to be built into new<br />
developments, and retro-fitted into<br />
existing blocks.”<br />
“We need accessibility fairness;<br />
investors will need to understand that<br />
the return may be slower from some<br />
areas, but it will be there.”<br />
Steve can see the progress being<br />
made on this issue and is confident the<br />
next few years will see the infrastructure<br />
map better balanced. But that’s not to<br />
say he doesn’t have real concerns over<br />
one major issue: the electric grid – or<br />
rather, its capacity.<br />
“When it comes to EV charging points,<br />
we are a long way from the numbers we<br />
need, but there are a lot of new projects<br />
coming online so that should help ease<br />
concerns. Where the challenge will be in<br />
the future is in accessing sufficient grid<br />
capacity to cope with increased demand.<br />
The number of projects waiting to come<br />
online is huge, but demand for grid<br />
capacity cannot be met at present in all<br />
locations. This is a significant challenge<br />
faced across UK as a whole.”<br />
While all this suggests Steve would like<br />
some kind of over-arching control of<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s EV charging infrastructure,<br />
he’s actually wary of that. “It’s important<br />
that we don’t have a top-down, one-sizefits-all<br />
policy on its development.<br />
Everyone’s needs are different. Some<br />
people will need access every day to a<br />
personal charger, as you’d have on your<br />
drive, but others will only need access to<br />
one for occasional charging. Some will<br />
need access to slow chargers, where you<br />
charge your car overnight, using cheaper<br />
off-peak electricity. Others will need<br />
access to fast chargers, which are more<br />
expensive but can charge your vehicle up<br />
to 80 per cent in 20-30 minutes. It will<br />
be a blend of options and a blend of tech<br />
too.”<br />
But there is a better way to run this<br />
than top-down control. “Government is<br />
there to stimulate and regulate, not<br />
control every facet. Local authorities are<br />
in the best place to know what’s needed<br />
and where local demand is. They know<br />
their communities and can create<br />
partnerships that work.”<br />
Another example of how the ‘one size’<br />
policy fails is when you consider the very<br />
different communities that live in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>. “What works in Glasgow and<br />
Edinburgh won’t work in the Highlands<br />
and Islands,” says Steve. “It’s vital that<br />
those rural areas don’t get left behind.<br />
“One of the big issues for the<br />
Highlands is that there are many<br />
communities who aren’t even connected<br />
to the electricity grid, so you have to start<br />
with generating electricity before you<br />
can start installing recharging points.<br />
FOR:EV is in talks with a number of<br />
renewable power generators - wind,<br />
solar, tidal – to generate electricity for<br />
local EV use, linked to battery storage.<br />
We’ve got a lot of businesses really<br />
interested in working with us to develop<br />
the EV charging infrastructure the<br />
Highlands and Islands need.”<br />
Overall, it’s an exciting time to be<br />
involved in what is a dynamic and<br />
growing sector. “I can see nothing but<br />
fantastic growth for FOR:EV over the<br />
next 5-10 years. We are well positioned<br />
to be a leading player in <strong>Scotland</strong>, across<br />
the UK and into Europe too, and have<br />
exciting plans for <strong>2024</strong>. We are looking<br />
at collaborating with Network Rail<br />
(<strong>Scotland</strong>), and aim to develop stronger<br />
links with the maritime economy, at our<br />
ports and ferry hubs, etc.<br />
“<strong>2024</strong> will be about demonstrating the<br />
real ability and quality of the EV charging<br />
network.”<br />
And his message to business leaders<br />
thinking about switching their fleet - or<br />
their personal transport – to electric? “I<br />
go back to that earlier message, don’t<br />
put it off. This will only become more<br />
complex as time goes on, you need to<br />
get involved now. Talk to FOR:EV; we can<br />
create a package based around your<br />
needs that works.”<br />
An artists’ impression of a FOR:EV recharging station<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 21
DIRECTION | POLICY VOICE<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
Tell government what you think<br />
Policy Voice is a monthly survey of <strong>IoD</strong> members who share their views on current<br />
business issues, providing statistical evidence and anecdotal detail on the issues<br />
that matter to business. Members receive monthly invitations to participate in each<br />
survey.<br />
Recent success stories<br />
n We pushed government to reconsider<br />
the Retained EU Law Bill based on<br />
member concerns. They are now<br />
amending the bill to provide business<br />
with better certainty.<br />
n 88% of <strong>IoD</strong> members favoured the<br />
development of a meaningful industrial<br />
strategy, so we called for an industrial<br />
strategy focused on innovation<br />
n Around half of business leaders believe<br />
that ESG is important. 42% stated the E,<br />
S and G were equally important, while<br />
26% emphasised governance above all.<br />
n We responded to the House of<br />
Commons Business and Trade<br />
Committee call for evidence on exportled<br />
growth, citing member data<br />
n 46% of business leaders told us skills<br />
and labour shortages are negatively<br />
impacting their business.<br />
n Our latest data on confidence in UK<br />
economy shows that 22% of directors<br />
are optimistic versus 55% pessimistic.<br />
SHARE YOUR VIEWS<br />
When do you think inflation will peak?<br />
Do you measure your carbon footprint?<br />
How ambitious is your organisation for<br />
growth? Policy Voice is a key member<br />
benefit and we’d like to hear from you.<br />
Click<br />
here<br />
Policy Voice: Outlook for <strong>2024</strong><br />
When asked through Policy Voice at the<br />
back end of 2023, <strong>IoD</strong> members<br />
highlighted certain global risks that they<br />
felt were the most concerning for their<br />
business as they looked towards <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
The most common comment centred<br />
around AI and technological<br />
advancements, reinforcing the sentiment<br />
that many members view this as an<br />
opportunity, rather than a risk.<br />
“There are significant parts of the work<br />
that we do for our clients that could<br />
potentially be fulfilled by AI” said one<br />
respondent, but another said their<br />
concern around AI was “not so much the<br />
misuse of AI, but more failing to grasp<br />
the opportunities its presents.”<br />
Many members also noted that current<br />
domestic political instability, potentially<br />
exacerbated by the upcoming election,<br />
was a concern for them.<br />
“Far more than the global events, the<br />
biggest risk is continued political<br />
instability and chaos in the UK. We just<br />
need a stable, competent, professional<br />
and ethical UK government, which will<br />
then stabilise the UK economy. Top<br />
priority. Anything global is a long way<br />
behind this national problem.”<br />
Another said: “The instability and lack<br />
of focus in the UK government is a<br />
concern.”<br />
Members also mentioned the climate<br />
change, and the strain turbulent weather<br />
is having on their businesses, as being a<br />
worry. “Governments around the world<br />
seem to be getting cold feet about the<br />
actions required to avoid the impending<br />
climate meltdown.” A respondent from<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s water supply, sewerage and<br />
waste management sector said:<br />
“Extreme weather is putting enormous<br />
strain our business.”<br />
Skills shortages were also highlighted<br />
as a concern for business leaders. “Skilled<br />
resources are becoming scarcer to find,<br />
so internal development and apprentices<br />
are the main way we are addressing this<br />
issue. The short term (
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> NEWS | DIRECTION<br />
SQA signs Articulation Agreement<br />
with the Open University<br />
The Scottish Qualifications Authority<br />
(SQA) has signed an agreement with the<br />
Open University (OU) which will allow<br />
learners from across the country who<br />
have completed its Higher National<br />
Certificates, and Diplomas – including<br />
SQA’s next generation of Higher National<br />
qualifications (NextGen:HN) – to<br />
progress on to OU degree programmes<br />
at advanced levels.<br />
The Articulation Agreement between<br />
SQA and the OU means learners who<br />
achieve a SQA Higher National Certificate<br />
or Diploma will be able to progress, or<br />
articulate, on to year two or year three of<br />
a related BA/BSc Open Degree with<br />
Honours at the OU. Learners holding a<br />
SQA HNC who have amassed 120 credits<br />
on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications<br />
Framework (SCQF) will now be able to<br />
transfer those credits and gain<br />
exemption for modules at OU Level 1,<br />
granting them access to year two of an<br />
OU degree programme.<br />
Learners who hold a SQA HND and<br />
amassed 240 credits, will be able to gain<br />
exemption for modules at OU Level 1, and<br />
OU Level 2, gaining access to year three.<br />
The next generation of<br />
Higher National qualifications<br />
SQA’s existing portfolio of Higher<br />
National Certificates, and Diplomas have<br />
always provided learners with<br />
qualifications that meet the needs of<br />
employers, and this agreement enables<br />
Steven McGeever, Senior Partnerships<br />
Manager at Open University in <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
and Dr Gill Stewart, SQA Director of<br />
Qualifications<br />
those individuals to continue their<br />
learning journey with the OU.<br />
SQA’s NextGen:HN are the next<br />
iteration of Higher National qualifications<br />
and have been designed to give learners<br />
the skills they need to thrive in the<br />
modern workplace.<br />
The new certificates and diplomas<br />
support lifelong learning by promoting<br />
the acquisition of meta-skills – the skills<br />
necessary to learn and apply new<br />
knowledge quickly – while also<br />
developing critical industry, and subject<br />
specific skills. Currently there are 20 new<br />
NextGen:HN courses being piloted in<br />
colleges and training providers across<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, covering subjects such as<br />
Accounting, Networking and Cloud<br />
Infrastructure, Social Services, and<br />
Software Development.<br />
Flexible approach to learning<br />
The OU is the largest academic<br />
institution in the UK and a world leader<br />
in flexible distance learning. Since it<br />
began in 1969, the OU has taught more<br />
than 2.2 million students worldwide and<br />
currently has over 205,000 students,<br />
including more than 21,000 in <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
Speaking about the agreement, Dr Gill<br />
“This agreement demonstrates<br />
the value of our Higher National<br />
qualifications, including the<br />
NextGen:HN, and recognises the<br />
skills, knowledge, and<br />
experience that the learners<br />
who hold them have achieved...”<br />
Stewart, SQA Director of Qualifications<br />
Development, said: “The Open University<br />
is renowned for its flexible approach to<br />
learning, and through its acceptance of<br />
the SQA HNC/D as an entry qualification<br />
into years two and three of its aligned<br />
degree programmes, we will hope to see<br />
wider access to higher education in a<br />
manner that suits learners’ needs,<br />
improves attainment, and ultimately<br />
helps learners achieve their career goals.”<br />
“This agreement demonstrates the<br />
value of our Higher National qualifications,<br />
including the NextGen:HN, and<br />
recognises the skills, knowledge, and<br />
experience that the learners who hold<br />
them have achieved over the course of<br />
their studies. We will work closely with<br />
our centres – schools, colleges, and<br />
training providers – to help them and<br />
their learners make the most of<br />
opportunities available to them through<br />
this partnership.”<br />
Steven McGeever, Senior Partnerships<br />
Manager at the Open University in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, said: “We are delighted to be<br />
entering into this agreement with SQA,<br />
which highlights a mutual commitment<br />
to widening access to degree level study<br />
and providing pathways for students<br />
who want to build on previous study at<br />
college.”<br />
“At the Open University we recognise<br />
the value of SQA HNC and HND<br />
qualifications, which are designed to<br />
meet the needs of industry and prepare<br />
students for further study, and this<br />
agreement demonstrates how students<br />
who’ve completed an HNC or HND can<br />
use the credit they’ve achieved towards<br />
our BA/BSc (Honours) Open degree and<br />
study by flexible distance learning in a<br />
way that suits them.”<br />
To find out more about SQA’s next<br />
generation of Higher National<br />
qualifications, visit<br />
www.sqa.org.uk/nextgen.<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 23
DIRECTION | TECH MATTERS<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
Artificial intelligence (AI) will soon be like turning on a tap or plugging into<br />
electric systems and, if we get it right, simultaneously contributing towards<br />
climate-related sustainable solutions, says digital commentator Bill Magee.<br />
Here he offers some more glimpses into our digital future<br />
AI: a gift for business,<br />
or a gathering storm?<br />
Emerging tech led by AI has certainly<br />
got our collective digital antennae<br />
twitching. We’re all operating in an era<br />
of hyperconnectivity and with it a<br />
growing threat landscape. Who can<br />
blame a busy company for having a<br />
profound feeling of it all being more<br />
than a little bit over their commercial<br />
heads?<br />
Smart technologies appear to spring<br />
up at us virtually on a daily basis and can<br />
have a profound effect on an<br />
organisation and an entire supply chain<br />
often crossing international borders. Also,<br />
never forget the customer, down the<br />
road or at the other side of the world.<br />
Digital transformation has been<br />
described as “evolutionary”, with the<br />
Cloud representing the digital glue<br />
holding everything together. Yet<br />
emerging technologies appear to<br />
develop at a rate of knots. Presenting a<br />
new set of commercial challenges,<br />
especially when it comes to an<br />
organisation’s precious data and building<br />
cross-functional AI teams.<br />
Forbes reports that AI promises to be<br />
more transformative than any other<br />
technology in recent memory, but<br />
cautions that organisations seeking to<br />
embrace the many benefits of AI must<br />
ensure they also make progress towards<br />
their sustainability goals.<br />
AI and sustainable outcomes can be<br />
viewed as a “symbiotic relationship”. A<br />
key hurdle is anticipated environmental<br />
costs of AI due to energy and data<br />
centre resources required to run larger<br />
computing models.<br />
It represents a serious issue but “when<br />
approached mindfully, AI infrastructure<br />
development and adoption...can provide<br />
a path to more sustainable operations,”<br />
says Forbes. Along with harnessing the<br />
tremendous potential for AI to support<br />
climate-related solutions.<br />
AI integration is no longer optional but<br />
a necessity and understanding its<br />
implications will be key over the next 2-3<br />
years, says Alasdair Hendry, managing<br />
director at Exception. The digital<br />
transformation experts have produced a<br />
timely White Paper aimed at<br />
demystifying AI positioning it as a<br />
strategic utility rather than a mere trend.<br />
Insights from experts involve AI, cloud<br />
and data specialists; practical guidance is<br />
based on overcoming technical<br />
challenges in AI implementation; and of<br />
strategic importance is explaining how AI<br />
fuels innovation and sustainable growth.<br />
The White Paper supports an<br />
“Those equipping themselves<br />
with the latest in tech<br />
expertise spend around 18 per<br />
cent less in day-to-day<br />
operations, managing costs<br />
without sacrificing long-term<br />
IT strategy goals...”<br />
informative AI Tool Kit aimed at helping<br />
Chief Information Officers (CIOs) unravel<br />
the complexities of AI implementation at<br />
enterprise level.<br />
Any ambitious organisation should dip<br />
into the paper that provides invaluable<br />
insights from Exception’s team of AI,<br />
cloud and data specialists, which includes<br />
director Scott McGlinchey, an <strong>IoD</strong> Fellow.<br />
Everyone needs strategic guidance to<br />
help navigate AI implementation “myths<br />
and realities” addressing technical<br />
challenges. In an era where it has<br />
become strategically vital for driving<br />
innovation and sustainable growth.<br />
MIT points out that technology should<br />
be all about “solving big thorny<br />
problems” but the question on AI is<br />
where to focus our efforts, particularly as<br />
generative AI will probably “bring about<br />
the biggest computing revolution ever<br />
experienced... since we all went from<br />
typing commands to tapping on icons.”<br />
Those aren’t my words; they’re tech<br />
multi-billionaire Bill Gates’s.<br />
Yet, latest surveys reveal UK-wide<br />
SMEs have the lowest levels of AI<br />
adoption and trust compared to the US<br />
and throughout Europe; IT professionals<br />
are anxious about genAI’s power; and<br />
employees, although largely willing to<br />
work alongside AI, want greater<br />
organisational transparency.<br />
A ZDNet report warns companies, of<br />
all sizes, to beware allowing such<br />
data-led initiatives to “sprout up without<br />
control”, giving AI a free pass. A study by<br />
takepayments of over 1,000 UK-based<br />
SMEs “across dozens of industries”<br />
reveals AI as their chief worry.<br />
Significantly, the same report a year ago<br />
didn’t mention AI.<br />
Yet far too many organisations continue<br />
stubbornly to go it alone, possibly as a<br />
reaction against the over-hyping of AI<br />
products. Back to Alasdair Hendry who<br />
points to a “paradoxical reality” hiding<br />
beyond the hype, in that it’s far from<br />
straightforward to implement AI in an<br />
24 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
TECH MATTERS | DIRECTION<br />
established, governance-led enterprise IT<br />
environment.<br />
The future of AI must be all about<br />
separating myth from reality. Integrating<br />
AI into your digital roadmap is not just<br />
about jumping on the bandwagon, it’s<br />
now an organisational imperative. Failure<br />
to be part of AI transformation can result<br />
in competitive disadvantage, reduced<br />
operational efficiency and missed<br />
opportunities for innovation.<br />
Which? warns many AI-associated<br />
offerings lack effective cyber defences,<br />
making them ripe for exploitation by a new<br />
wave of convincing scams, potentially<br />
turning AI back on itself with an<br />
organisation caught smack in the middle.<br />
Here, the Chief Information Officer<br />
(CIO) has the go-to thought leadership<br />
role integral to ensuring a safe and secure<br />
digital transition, and the growing call for<br />
inspirational leadership for organisations<br />
eager to avoid being left digitally<br />
rudderless, was highlighted at a Glasgow<br />
Science Centre-staged Can Do Summit.<br />
NASDAQ-listed IT benchmarking<br />
researchers the Hackett Group highlights<br />
those equipping themselves with the<br />
latest in tech expertise spend around 18<br />
“The future of AI must be all<br />
about separating myth from<br />
reality. Integrating AI into your<br />
digital roadmap is not just<br />
about jumping on the<br />
bandwagon, it’s now an<br />
organisational imperative...”<br />
per cent less in day-to-day operations,<br />
managing costs without sacrificing<br />
long-term IT strategy goals.<br />
Some outfits can unwittingly fall short.<br />
This can range from a 50-person legal<br />
firm to 300-employee manufacturing<br />
concern, rapidly discovering they’re being<br />
digitally overtaken and left behind by<br />
competitors.<br />
At <strong>Scotland</strong>’s annual Data Summit<br />
staged by the Data Lab in Edinburgh,<br />
keynote Carissa Veliz, author of an<br />
Economist Book of the Year Privacy and<br />
Power - why and how you should take<br />
back control of your data, stresses how<br />
innovation is not the opposite of<br />
regulation “but inextricably linked to it.”<br />
An associate professor of philosophy<br />
and ethics at University of Oxford,<br />
Carissa’s book has been described as<br />
“essential reading for those of us who<br />
click ‘agree’ ten times a day.”<br />
She claims ChatGPT4 along with<br />
numerous other allied systems “are not<br />
built to be truth-tracking and are not<br />
based on empirical evidence or logic.”<br />
Rather: “they make statistical guesses<br />
that are often wrong.”<br />
Large language models do not inform<br />
users of this but present what are<br />
incorrect guesses with the same<br />
confidence as they present facts.<br />
“Whatever you ask they will come up<br />
with a convincing response, it is never ‘I<br />
don’t know’ even though it should be.<br />
She warns: “Query ChatGPT about<br />
current events it will remind you it only<br />
has information up to September 2021<br />
plus it cannot browse the internet.” For<br />
almost any other kind of question, it will<br />
venture a response “often mixing facts<br />
with confabulations.”<br />
So, the worry is not to get carried away.<br />
Emerging tech is a lot to take on board<br />
and it is claimed the board of every<br />
company should have an ‘AI ethicist’ to<br />
handle not only what represents an<br />
opportunity but also the risk involved.<br />
Step up a sustainability-minded CIO?<br />
New ideas are<br />
taking flight in<br />
farming sector<br />
Europe’s pioneer in agricultural/<br />
industrial drone technology, Hungary’s<br />
ABZ Innovation plans a commercial<br />
partnership with <strong>Scotland</strong> as it<br />
continues to challenge China’s global<br />
hegemony in the sector.<br />
ABZ provides cutting-edge<br />
technology aimed at reversing a<br />
UK-wide chronic farm labour shortage<br />
along with significantly boosting crops<br />
production and with it sustainability.<br />
A recent change-in-rules means<br />
farmers can now use drones to spray<br />
crops transforming how farms save<br />
time, money and resources to produce<br />
high-quality food.<br />
It has extra significance for a country<br />
like <strong>Scotland</strong>, where Stirling is twinned<br />
with the Hungarian capital’s town<br />
Obuda.<br />
Here, arable production includes<br />
significant numbers of cereal crops for<br />
both home and overseas markets.<br />
Unfortunately, great rural swathes<br />
including islands communities, suffer<br />
from inclement weather coming off the<br />
North Sea, making it inaccessible or<br />
difficult to crop spray.<br />
ABZ is the sole agri-drone company<br />
in Europe enabling farmers to gain<br />
from 50-and-90 per cent less water<br />
and chemicals while benefiting from a<br />
40 per cent increase in crop coverage,<br />
protection and production.<br />
Its spraying system’s pinpoint<br />
accuracy is within 1.5m, coupled with<br />
highly-optimised airflow from<br />
propellors that set its drones apart in<br />
the agri-business arena.<br />
An enhanced powertrain extends<br />
battery life to ensure lowest possible<br />
operating costs. Taking the drone<br />
concept a world away from a plaything<br />
toy or used in conflicts.<br />
Chief Executive Karoly Ludvigh says:<br />
“With the UK agricultural sector facing<br />
significant challenges our drone<br />
technology offers a practical solution,<br />
enhancing efficiency while adhering to<br />
the highest environmental standards.”<br />
ABZ drones are already employed by<br />
farmers in Estonia, Poland, Portugal,<br />
Greece, Slovakia, Finland, Cyprus,<br />
Bulgaria, Serbia, and North Macedonia,<br />
and more recently Ghana. Investors<br />
should take note...<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 25
DIRECTION | MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> membership and benefits<br />
We’re delighted that you have chosen the <strong>IoD</strong> to support you in<br />
your development as a director, and we hope you get real value<br />
from your membership. The <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> team is always looking<br />
to enhance your membership with exclusive discounts on<br />
products and services, helping make your role that little bit<br />
easier, kinder on the budget and – most importantly – more<br />
convenient.<br />
We have outlined some of the key benefits here: for a full<br />
summary and discount codes, contact patricia.huth@iod.com<br />
Hotels, dining and accommodation<br />
Unique offers and discounts for <strong>IoD</strong> members<br />
EDINBURGH<br />
The George<br />
The George, a Grade-II listed hotel, is<br />
complemented by elegant interiors, from<br />
the bedrooms to the grand King’s Hall.<br />
All with the very best of Edinburgh’s<br />
shopping, restaurants and nightlife on<br />
your doorstep.<br />
To take advantage of <strong>IoD</strong> membership<br />
special discounts, present your <strong>IoD</strong><br />
membership card at check-in or when<br />
seated at one of the hotel’s food outlets.<br />
• Book ihg.com or see<br />
www.edinburgh.intercontinental.com<br />
Call 0131 240 7137, or email<br />
EdinburghTheGeorge Reservations<br />
@ihg.com<br />
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> members receive 15% discount on<br />
food, drinks and accommodation.<br />
There’s also a 15% discount on the<br />
Gym & Spa at the Charlotte Square Hotel.<br />
The George<br />
Quote <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> member when<br />
booking.<br />
Holiday Inn, Edinburgh<br />
Members receive 15% off best<br />
available rate. To book call 0131 314 7018<br />
or emailreservations@hi-edinburgh.<br />
co.uk, quoting IOD <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
Other offers:<br />
Malmaison Hotels – 20% off lunches<br />
and dinners in Edinburgh.<br />
Locke Apartments - 20% discount<br />
Cheval Collection- 12% discount<br />
Native ApartHotel - 15% discount..<br />
Call 0207 313 6146 or email:<br />
clientenquiries@nativeplaces.com.<br />
Angels Share Hotel, Edinburgh – 15%<br />
discount. Quote GLC15.<br />
Eden Locke – 20% off designer<br />
apartment. Visit lockeliving.com and<br />
enter code “LOCKEDIN” for 20% off<br />
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel<br />
Say hello to YOTEL<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> members are now eligible for the<br />
YOTEL Work Perk programme.<br />
This special offer gives you access to a host of great<br />
benefits, including 20% off retail rates and<br />
complimentary breakfast.<br />
To book at a YOTEL, the easiest method is by<br />
clicking on the below link and entering your dates/<br />
hotel of choice:<br />
CLICK HERE<br />
YOTEL Glasgow<br />
Inset, VEGA , on the<br />
top floor of the<br />
YOTEL Glasgow<br />
Or you can enter your corporate ID straight into the<br />
Corporate/Promo code section of the website, at<br />
www.yotel.com<br />
Your Corporate ID is: INS002<br />
This rate can be shared at your discretion with<br />
members and company associates such as consultants,<br />
etc.<br />
You can cancel or amend reservations until 2pm on<br />
the day of arrival, giving you maximum flexibility for<br />
your travel needs.<br />
YOTEL Edinburgh<br />
26 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS | DIRECTION<br />
Hotel membership offers<br />
voco Grand Central<br />
ABERDEEN<br />
Malmaison<br />
Up to 10% off accommodation and<br />
20% off food and beverages. See<br />
malmaison.com or call 01224 507097<br />
DUNDEE<br />
Malmaison<br />
Take your pick from 91 sumptuous<br />
rooms and suites spanning six fabulous<br />
floors. There’s so much to see and do in<br />
Dundee, and Malmaison is perfect place<br />
to stay in the City of Discovery.<br />
Up to 10% off accommodation<br />
bookings and 20% off food and<br />
beverages. More at malmaison.com or<br />
call 01382 339715.<br />
GLASGOW<br />
Kimpton Blythswood Square<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> members receive 15% off best<br />
available bed and breakfast rates.<br />
• See kimptonblythswoodsquare.com<br />
or call 0141 248 8888<br />
voco Grand Central<br />
Members receive a 15% discount on<br />
the best available rates for food,<br />
beverage and accommodation.<br />
• See grandcentral.vocohotels.com or<br />
call 0141 221 3388<br />
One Devonshire Gardens<br />
Members receive 10% off best<br />
available rate for accommodation when<br />
booked online.<br />
• Book via hotelduvin.com/locations/<br />
glasgow or call 0330 016 0390<br />
Citizen M<br />
Enjoy best rates at time of booking<br />
and a welcome drink.<br />
• See citizenm.com/directors-scotland<br />
or call 0203 519 1111, quoting <strong>IoD</strong> offer.<br />
Malmaison<br />
10% off best available rates for <strong>IoD</strong><br />
members.<br />
• See malmaison.com or call 0141 378<br />
0384<br />
Kimpton Blythswood Square<br />
“Just mention <strong>IoD</strong> when booking<br />
for confirm your exclusive<br />
discounts and offers”<br />
Members’ discounted<br />
consultancy support<br />
Where Now Consulting Ltd<br />
provides business advice and<br />
support to <strong>IoD</strong> members in <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
Where Now Consulting focuses<br />
on the development of business<br />
models for growth and would be<br />
delighted to support members in<br />
any of the following categories:<br />
Organic growth; In-organic growth;<br />
and Success Planning<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> offer<br />
Where Now Consulting Ltd will<br />
give members a complimentary one<br />
hour consultancy session to focus<br />
and develop key strategies for<br />
success with a further 10% discount<br />
on further support from Where Now<br />
Consulting, and a £35 discount on<br />
the Where Now Consulting Business<br />
Diagnostic Tool.<br />
OTHER BENEFITS:<br />
Member discounts on<br />
products and services<br />
The <strong>IoD</strong> has arranged special<br />
discounts on a host of products and<br />
services that are required by<br />
directors and business leaders,<br />
including:<br />
Professional Indemnity Insurance<br />
Office insurance<br />
Data risks insurance<br />
Car and van hire<br />
Personal private health insurance<br />
Home and contents insurance<br />
Private client insurance<br />
Directors’ Liability/Cyber risk<br />
CLICK here for more details<br />
10% off training and advice on imports and exports<br />
St Andrews Management Centre is<br />
offering a 10% discount on its export<br />
and import services to <strong>IoD</strong> members.<br />
St Andrews Management Centre<br />
can handle your import and export<br />
clearances for an affordable flat-fee,<br />
with no additional charges for<br />
multiple commodity codes, as well as<br />
offer advice on customs processes<br />
and controls. It also offers<br />
consultancy support to businesses<br />
looking to import or export, with<br />
training and workshops of key issues.<br />
For a full list of courses, see https://<br />
stamc.co.uk/courses-tradenet/<br />
The TradeNet International Trade<br />
Support is available at two levels,<br />
making it an affordable solution to<br />
meet your needs.<br />
Silver Service is for the ‘casual’ user<br />
and offers on call access to one of our<br />
International Trade Advisors for<br />
around 90 minutes per month for<br />
£250 pcm (+ VAT).<br />
The Gold Service is for those with<br />
more complex trading arrangements<br />
and provides around four hours<br />
support per month for £450 pcm<br />
(+VAT)<br />
WANT TO KNOW MORE?<br />
Contact St Andrews<br />
Management Centre,<br />
14 St Catherine Street,<br />
Cupar, Fife KY15 4HH<br />
E: tradenet@stamc.co.uk<br />
T: 03300 241316<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 27
DIRECTION | <strong>IoD</strong> EVENTS<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
Roundtable breakfast with Andrew Kerr OBE,<br />
Chief Executive at The City of Edinburgh Council<br />
Date: 5 February<br />
Time: 8.30am — 10am<br />
Venue: Edinburgh City Chambers<br />
Cost: Free<br />
Join <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s Edinburgh and<br />
Lothian’s branch as we meet with City of<br />
Edinburgh Council Chief Executive,<br />
Andrew Kerr OBE for a breakfast<br />
roundtable.<br />
Born in Falkirk, Andrew Kerr was<br />
appointed Chief Executive of City of<br />
Edinburgh Council in 2015 and has since<br />
led the council with a focus in recent years<br />
on resilience during a challenging period.<br />
We’ll hear from Andrew on his<br />
thoughts on Edinburgh’s business<br />
engagement with a Q&A roundtable<br />
breakfast.<br />
If you’d like to post a question in<br />
advance for Andrew, please email<br />
PR-Comms.Ambassador.Edinburgh@iod.<br />
com<br />
This event is for members only.<br />
Event Organiser: Patricia Huth<br />
0131 557 5488<br />
Patricia.Huth@iod.com<br />
Roundtable lunch with<br />
Michelle Thomson MSP<br />
Winter Economic Update<br />
with the Bank of England<br />
Date: 5 February<br />
Time: 12pm — 1pm<br />
Venue: Online<br />
On 5 February we will discuss the<br />
outcomes of the latest MPC report as it is<br />
released by the Bank of England.<br />
Keep up to date with the trends and<br />
analysis by listening to <strong>IoD</strong>’s quarterly<br />
economic updates with the Bank of<br />
England.<br />
This members-only event will be<br />
hosted by <strong>IoD</strong> Director for Policy and<br />
Governance, Dr Roger Barker, who will<br />
explore the latest UK economic outlook<br />
and what it means for directors and their<br />
businesses. He will be joined by Rob<br />
Elder from the Bank of England.<br />
This is an excellent opportunity for<br />
leaders to hear more about the UK and<br />
global economic outlook for 2023. This<br />
event will be run under Chatham House<br />
Rule. Joining instructions will be sent<br />
Friday 2nd February, when online<br />
registrations will close.<br />
Event Organiser: <strong>IoD</strong> events<br />
events@iod.com<br />
Date: 5 February<br />
Time: 1pm — 3pm<br />
Venue: Glenbervie Golf Club<br />
Cost: 2 course meal £40<br />
3 course meal £50<br />
The <strong>IoD</strong> Central <strong>Scotland</strong> branch is<br />
delighted to invite you to an in-person<br />
roundtable lunch with Michelle Thomson<br />
MSP.<br />
Ms Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, is a<br />
member of the Scottish Parliament’s<br />
Finance Committee and its Education<br />
Committee. As such, she oversees the<br />
Scottish Budget and decisions on fiscal<br />
policy and devolved taxes as well as skills<br />
development. She is also a Convenor of<br />
several cross-party groups in the Scottish<br />
Parliament, including Women In<br />
Enterprise and St. Andrews Day.<br />
Before becoming an MSP, she was an<br />
MP for Edinburgh West, serving as the<br />
SNP Business, Innovation and Skills<br />
spokesperson in the House of Commons.<br />
Prior to her life in politics, she held<br />
senior roles delivering IT and business<br />
change at both Standard Life and RBS,<br />
and she has also founded and run her<br />
own small<br />
businesses,<br />
understanding first-hand the challenges<br />
that both corporate and small business<br />
leaders face.<br />
The focus of the discussion is likely to<br />
be on trading conditions, the economic<br />
outlook, and how government might<br />
assist.<br />
In addition to providing an excellent<br />
opportunity to engage with a prominent<br />
MSP, the lunch will also provide a timely<br />
opportunity to discuss with her the<br />
outcome of the Scottish Budget.<br />
The event is being held in the<br />
McCowan lounge at Glenbervie Golf<br />
Club, with lunch provided by Ciro’s<br />
restaurant – one of Falkirk’s most highly<br />
regarded restaurants.<br />
The ticket price is £40 which includes<br />
two courses (or you can choose to<br />
upgrade to three courses for £50), for<br />
members and non-members. Numbers<br />
are strictly limited, so book early to avoid<br />
disappointment.<br />
Event Organiser: Connor Osborne<br />
0131 557 5488<br />
28 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> EVENTS | DIRECTION<br />
How to build resilience and overcome<br />
challenges – a workshop with<br />
Lee Spencer BEM (aka the Rowing Marine)<br />
Date: 7 February<br />
Time: 10am — 2pm<br />
Venue: Maryculter House, Aberdeen<br />
Cost: Members - Free<br />
Join us in Aberdeen for this not-to-be<br />
missed workshop with Lee Spencer, best<br />
known as The Rowing Marine.<br />
This event is set to give our member<br />
directors the inspiration and motivation<br />
they’ll need to get through whatever<br />
<strong>2024</strong> has to throw at us.<br />
This interactive workshop will build an<br />
understanding of the key principles and<br />
practical methods of overcoming<br />
challenges which can be used both<br />
personally and in the workplace.<br />
Lunch & refreshments will be provided.<br />
The event is free to <strong>IoD</strong> Members.<br />
About Lee Spencer<br />
Lee joined the Royal Marine<br />
Commandos in 1992. He completed<br />
operational tours of Northern Ireland<br />
and Iraq where he led a section in the<br />
first wave on the assault of the Al Faw<br />
peninsula.<br />
Lee then served as a troop Sergeant<br />
before qualifying for special duties and<br />
subsequently undertook three tours of<br />
Afghanistan.<br />
In <strong>January</strong> 2014, while helping<br />
motorists who had crashed into a<br />
motorway central reservation, Lee lost<br />
his right leg below the knee having been<br />
hit by debris from a further crash.<br />
Conscious throughout, Lee was able to<br />
utilise his military training to save his<br />
own life by instructing a passer-by to<br />
apply a tourniquet. Lee was awarded the<br />
High Chief Constables award for his<br />
selfless actions on the night.<br />
In 2015 as a crew member of<br />
Row2Recovery’s all amputee crew of<br />
four, Lee rowed across the Atlantic from<br />
La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua<br />
and into the Guinness world record<br />
books, as the first physically disabled<br />
crew of four to row any ocean.<br />
In <strong>January</strong> 2019, Lee set off from<br />
Portimao, Portugal to attempt rowing<br />
solo and unsupported from mainland<br />
Europe to mainland South America. 60<br />
days, 16 hours and 6 minutes later he<br />
rowed into Cayenne, French Guiana not<br />
only becoming the first physically<br />
disabled person to do so and completing<br />
the longest solo row of any disabled<br />
person, he beat the able bodied record<br />
by an astonishing 36 days.<br />
In December 2019 Lee was awarded<br />
the British Empire Medal for services to<br />
charity having raised over a quarter of a<br />
million pounds.<br />
A natural and engaging speaker, Lee’s<br />
incredible personal story of courage,<br />
determination leadership and<br />
overcoming adversity has captivated a<br />
range of audiences.<br />
Event Organiser: Patricia Huth<br />
0131 557 5488<br />
Patricia.Huth@iod.com<br />
Lunch and a little light music<br />
Date: 23 February<br />
Time: 12pm — 2:30pm<br />
Venue: The Royal Conservatoire of<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> (RCS), 100 Renfrew Street,<br />
Glasgow G2 3DB<br />
Cost: Members £15<br />
Non Members £25<br />
Join us in this unique opportunity to<br />
have a light lunch with the Principal,<br />
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey to hear about<br />
the work of the RCS and the role of the<br />
arts in <strong>Scotland</strong>. We will then have the<br />
opportunity to listen to a wonderful<br />
afternoon performance by Catriona<br />
Morison and Malcolm Martineau in the<br />
Stevenson Hall at the RCS.<br />
Catriona Morison is a Scottish mezzosoprano<br />
and former alumni of the RCS.<br />
She became known to a wider audience<br />
when she won the Main and Shared<br />
Song prizes of the Internationally<br />
renowned BBC Cardiff Singer of the<br />
World Competition.<br />
Malcolm Martineau is regarded as one<br />
of the greatest accompanists of his<br />
generation. He is an Honorary Doctor<br />
and International Fellow of<br />
Accompaniment at the RCS.<br />
Numbers are limited to 20 so reserve<br />
your place quickly to avoid<br />
disappointment.<br />
Event Organiser: Connor Osborne<br />
0131 557 5488<br />
iod.scotland@iod.com<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 29
DIRECTION | <strong>IoD</strong> EVENTS<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
When to speak out on social issues<br />
and manage reputational risk<br />
Date: 27 February<br />
Time: 1pm — 2pm<br />
Venue: Online<br />
Cost: Free to members<br />
This event will involve a panel discussion<br />
on when and how to speak out on social<br />
issues, some practical steps on the<br />
protocols that should be in place and the<br />
links to reputational risk if not handled<br />
correctly.<br />
We will be led by panellists Dawn<br />
Bryan and Sarah Black, who will explore<br />
the complexities of speaking out on<br />
topical issues, including the short and<br />
long-term implications for<br />
organisations. Learn insights,<br />
including the significance of<br />
clear organisational protocols<br />
outlining when, why, and how<br />
leaders should speak up. If<br />
you’ve ever felt uncertain about<br />
making statements on such<br />
issues, this event is for you.<br />
This will be followed by a moderated<br />
Q&A session to allow participants<br />
to raise questions in a safe<br />
environment.<br />
Dawn Bryan<br />
Dawn oversees The<br />
Kaleidoscope Group’s work<br />
with global clients, directs their<br />
team of multilingual,<br />
multinational consultants, and<br />
serves as principal leader on select client<br />
engagements. Before joining The<br />
Kaleidoscope Group in 2018, Dawn<br />
lived and worked for more than<br />
25 years in the Horn of Africa,<br />
Asia, and Europe. She<br />
combines over 30 years of<br />
cross-cultural experience,<br />
education, and expertise in<br />
effective global leadership<br />
practices, and a gift for listening<br />
to others to help organisations<br />
take practical steps toward<br />
continuous improvement as<br />
they navigate culturally diverse<br />
and complex environments.<br />
Sarah Black<br />
Sarah has more than 30 years<br />
of communications experience<br />
including as a Board director of a<br />
full-service multi-award-winning global<br />
PR and content agency, as a Chartered<br />
Institute of Public Relations Fellow and<br />
Accredited Practitioner. Her work<br />
developing and delivering campaigns<br />
addressing racism, peacebuilding and<br />
reconciliation, adoption, environmental<br />
protection and community relations .<br />
Event Organiser: Connor Osborne<br />
0131 557 5488<br />
iod.scotland@iod.com<br />
Graduate apprenticeship could be<br />
next step to developing your team<br />
Date: 12 March<br />
Time: 12pm — 1:30pm<br />
Cost: Free<br />
Venue: Online<br />
Learn more about a work-based learning<br />
scheme to support business leaders in<br />
up-skilling and re-skilling full-time staff.<br />
As higher education continues to<br />
evolve, and as work-based learning<br />
transitions from novelty to<br />
normality, business leaders will<br />
benefit from understanding their<br />
options and including them in their<br />
talent management strategy.<br />
Up-skilling, re-skilling and recruitment<br />
have become critical priorities for<br />
organisations across all sectors faced<br />
with mounting economic pressures and<br />
unprecedented change. One solution for<br />
directors is to embrace a work-based<br />
learning scheme called The Graduate<br />
Apprenticeship (aka Degree<br />
Apprenticeship), designed for full-time<br />
workers who wish to pursue a four-year<br />
honours degree in Business<br />
Management. This online session will<br />
provide a comprehensive overview of the<br />
scheme delivered by Heriot-Watt<br />
University’s Edinburgh Business School.<br />
It will feature recent graduates and their<br />
workplace mentors, representing SMEs<br />
and large organisations who are eager to<br />
share their experiences.<br />
David Steinberg<br />
This session will be led by David<br />
Steinberg, Associate Professor,<br />
Edinburgh Business School,<br />
Heriot-Watt University.<br />
During his 39-year career, Dr.<br />
David Steinberg has built highperformance<br />
teams and directed<br />
sales operations and strategic<br />
account management processes in<br />
extremely fast-paced work environments<br />
and competitive markets involving<br />
multi-million-dollar contracts.<br />
He was a tutor for <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s<br />
Professional Development Series, for<br />
which he delivered his highly acclaimed<br />
masterclass: Mastering the Art of<br />
Strategic Questioning.<br />
Event Organiser: Patricia Huth<br />
0131 557 5488<br />
Patricia.Huth@iod.com<br />
Building your<br />
personal brand<br />
Date: 15 April<br />
Time: 12:30pm — 1:30pm<br />
Venue: Online<br />
Cost: Free<br />
Most employees don’t have to think<br />
about their personal brand, but directors<br />
are the face of the company.<br />
Personal branding is critical to lead<br />
generation. Networking. Relationships.<br />
Recruitment. But it’s about more than<br />
that. Personal branding is about who you<br />
are and what you stand for.<br />
In this webinar you will receive an<br />
introduction to personal branding with<br />
Ryan O’Keeffe, personal branding expert<br />
and co-founder of Jago Personal Brand<br />
agency. He will speak about building<br />
your own personal brand, master and<br />
scale your reputation, develop your<br />
leadership and tell your story.<br />
There will be a Q&A session at the end.<br />
Ryan O’Keeffe<br />
Ryan is a champion for transformation,<br />
a people promoter, an emotional<br />
intelligence coach and business leader.<br />
Event Organiser: Patricia Huth<br />
0131 557 5488<br />
Patricia.Huth@iod.com<br />
30 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> EVENTS | DIRECTION<br />
Introduction to <strong>IoD</strong>’s<br />
Certificate in Company<br />
Direction Programme<br />
Embrace excellence: A captivating members’<br />
evening at Rusacks in St. Andrews<br />
Date: 7 March, 6 June & 5 September<br />
Time: 5:30pm — 9pm<br />
Venue: Rusacks St. Andrews<br />
Cost: Free to members<br />
<strong>IoD</strong> Fife & Tayside has organised a series<br />
of informal meet-ups for membersin one<br />
of the region’s finest hotels – Rusacks in<br />
St Andrews.<br />
It’s a great opportunity for informal<br />
networking in sumptuous surroundings<br />
while you take in the breathtaking<br />
beauty of St Andrews.<br />
During the event, tantalise your taste<br />
buds with a selection of delectable<br />
snacks provided by the venue.<br />
Additionally, members will have the<br />
opportunity to purchase their preferred<br />
drinks, allowing you to personalise your<br />
beverage choices throughout the<br />
evening.<br />
Event Organiser: Patricia Huth<br />
0131 557 5488<br />
Patricia.Huth@iod.com<br />
The Director’s Quarterly Update<br />
The session will be led by:<br />
Date: 14 March<br />
Time: 9am — 10:15am<br />
Venue: Online<br />
Have you been considering how you<br />
can enhance your impact and<br />
performance as a director? Do you<br />
want to gain the latest tools and<br />
techniques from expert practitioners<br />
who have a wealth of experience in<br />
board rooms across the globe?<br />
If you answered “yes” then this may<br />
be the most useful session you take<br />
this year as you find out more on the<br />
<strong>IoD</strong>’s ‘gold standard’ director<br />
qualification, the Certificate in Company<br />
Direction.<br />
This event will give you the chance to<br />
get a feel for how <strong>IoD</strong>’s director<br />
training is delivered and kickstart your<br />
professional development journey at<br />
this free information session.<br />
The session will be interactive<br />
featuring a Q&A with the course leader<br />
and Chartered Director and will also<br />
include a teaser activity from one of the<br />
Certificate in Company Direction<br />
modules.<br />
Event Organiser: <strong>IoD</strong> events<br />
events@iod.com<br />
Date: 16 April<br />
Time: 12pm — 1pm<br />
Venue: Online<br />
Cost: Free<br />
It can be hard to make the right<br />
decisions for your organisation when the<br />
economic and regulatory outlook is so<br />
unpredictable. This is where the <strong>IoD</strong><br />
Director’s Quarterly Update comes into<br />
play. Join us on 16 April to get the inside<br />
track on the economy and key<br />
developments in regulation and the<br />
business environment, as well as valuable<br />
insights on the state of the UK economy<br />
and how it could impact your business .<br />
This event is exclusive to <strong>IoD</strong> members.<br />
Alex Hall-Chen, <strong>IoD</strong><br />
Alex Hall-Chen is a Senior Policy<br />
Advisor at the <strong>IoD</strong>. She is a specialist in<br />
employment, skills, and sustainability<br />
policy. She previously worked in<br />
education research and as a Policy<br />
Advisor at the Confederation of British<br />
Industry.<br />
Dr Roger Barker, <strong>IoD</strong><br />
Roger has been the <strong>IoD</strong>’s Director of<br />
Policy and Corporate Governance since<br />
September 2020. He also served as<br />
Director of Corporate Governance and<br />
Professional Standards at the <strong>IoD</strong> from<br />
2008-2016. He is also the author of<br />
numerous books and articles on<br />
corporate governance and board<br />
effectiveness.<br />
Emma Rowland, <strong>IoD</strong><br />
Emma is a Policy Advisor at the <strong>IoD</strong><br />
specialising in international trade and EU<br />
affairs. She also runs the <strong>IoD</strong>’s policy<br />
market research activities.<br />
Event Organiser: <strong>IoD</strong> events<br />
events@iod.com<br />
Maximise your<br />
membership<br />
Date: 19 March<br />
Time: 12pm — 1pm<br />
Venue: Online<br />
Are you a member who gets the most<br />
out of membership? Are you keen to<br />
learn more about the <strong>IoD</strong>?<br />
We want you to get maximum value<br />
from your membership, so please join<br />
us for this virtual lunch time event as<br />
we explore the full range of benefits<br />
that come as part of your membership<br />
– including some you might not be<br />
aware of!<br />
Hear from our team of experts as we<br />
raise awareness of the <strong>IoD</strong>, the<br />
membership offering and the benefits<br />
of being part of our many communities<br />
of directors and senior business leaders<br />
across the UK and beyond. Hear how<br />
we support, represent, and set<br />
standards for business leaders.<br />
Event Organiser: <strong>IoD</strong> events<br />
events@iod.com<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 31
DIRECTION | DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT<br />
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction<br />
Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction<br />
Date: 13- 18 October <strong>2024</strong><br />
Venue: Norton House Hotel, Edinburgh<br />
Member Rate £9,955 + Vat<br />
Non-Member rate £12,995 + Vat<br />
The <strong>IoD</strong>’s Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction<br />
five-day intensive residential course is set at Norton House<br />
Hotel in Edinburgh. This intensive residential course for<br />
experienced directors is designed to fit around your<br />
schedule, enabling you to be more effective in your director<br />
role in just five-and-a-half days.<br />
Why attend?<br />
Achieve the <strong>IoD</strong> Certificate in Company Direction in a<br />
flexible way and without taking focus away from your<br />
professional life<br />
Who will benefit?<br />
Any busy director who simply cannot take too much time<br />
away from the demands of their business and who is<br />
looking for a fast -track method of achieving the certificate<br />
in company direction<br />
What’s involved?<br />
Using a practical approach, each of the four Certificate in<br />
Company Direction modules will equip you with the<br />
knowledge and skills needed for effective performance,<br />
covering the key areas of governance, leadership, finance<br />
and strategy. You will explore different business aspects<br />
first-hand by meeting course leaders and delegates from a<br />
mix of sectors and hear different perspectives, helping to<br />
broaden your understanding of your role.<br />
Practical learning enhanced by real-life scenarios and peer<br />
collaboration will provide you with the essential knowledge<br />
and skills for immediate application and maximum impact.<br />
As this course is condensed into five days, all parts of the<br />
course are mandatory.<br />
“My experience of the Accelerated Certificate<br />
programme was probably the best learning<br />
week of my career so far, so clearly it comes<br />
very highly recommended.”<br />
Bernard Grenville-Jones CDir,<br />
MD, Activate Learning<br />
30 JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
www.iod.com/scotland<br />
DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT | DIRECTION<br />
In-person <strong>IoD</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> Courses <strong>2024</strong><br />
Role of the Director<br />
and the Board<br />
Date: 10 & 11 June<br />
Venue: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel,<br />
Edinburgh<br />
Cost: Member Rate: £2,795 + VAT<br />
Non-Member Rate: £3,295 + VAT<br />
This course provides an introduction to a<br />
director’s duties and legal responsibilities<br />
and the board’s role in corporate<br />
governance and risk management. You’ll<br />
leave with confidence to tackle<br />
boardroom challenges, equipped to take<br />
your career to the next level.<br />
What delegates said...<br />
“This module really articulated the<br />
responsibilities of directors, especially<br />
from a legal point of view. I doubt most<br />
directors are actually aware of what they<br />
are liable for, and I believe there should<br />
be some sort of mandatory training for<br />
directors such as this when they join a<br />
board.”<br />
Paul Bolton, CDir, ONECPD<br />
Click the target for more<br />
information and to book<br />
Finance for Non-Finance<br />
Directors<br />
Date: 22-24 April<br />
Venue: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel,<br />
Edinburgh<br />
Cost: Member Rate: £2,995 + VAT<br />
Non-Member Rate: £3,595 + VAT<br />
This course has been designed to<br />
demystify the world of finance for<br />
non-finance directors and senior<br />
managers. It will give you an<br />
understanding of key financial concepts<br />
and terminology. You will leave with the<br />
skills and knowledge needed to evaluate<br />
business plans, question financial<br />
information and contribute more<br />
effectively to boardroom decisionmaking.<br />
What delegates said...<br />
“This is an excellent course for someone<br />
venturing into finance for the first time. It<br />
was extremely useful and well presented<br />
throughout.”<br />
Ian McNaught, Trinity House<br />
Click the target for more<br />
information and to book<br />
Strategy for Directors<br />
Date: 21-23 October<br />
Venue: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel,<br />
Edinburgh<br />
Cost: Member Rate: £2,995 + Vat<br />
Non Member Rate: £3,595 + Vat<br />
This course will enable you to develop<br />
robust strategic planning processes for<br />
your organisation.By providing<br />
frameworks, tools and the opportunity to<br />
apply them, our course leaders will work<br />
with you to develop both understanding<br />
and skills helping you to gain the<br />
confidence to grow yourself and<br />
future-proof your business.<br />
What delegates said...<br />
“ Exceptional teacher – extremely<br />
knowledgeable and able to dig deeper<br />
on the subject with considerable<br />
experience and well read theory and<br />
practice together.”<br />
Paul Burke, MoD<br />
Click the target for more<br />
information and to book<br />
Leadership for Directors<br />
Date: 2 & 3 December<br />
Venue: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel,<br />
Edinburgh<br />
Member Rate: £2,795 + VAT<br />
Non Member Rate: £3,295 + VAT<br />
This course introduces a personalised<br />
approach to leadership, helping you to<br />
understand and develop your own<br />
self-awareness and emotional<br />
intelligence. You will learn different<br />
leadership and decision making<br />
techniques, determine how to build and<br />
sustain high-performing teams, and<br />
evaluate how these tools can be applied<br />
to your own organisation to contribute to<br />
its increased success.<br />
What delegates said...<br />
“This course provided a great<br />
opportunity for discussion and sharing<br />
experience amongst delegates with a<br />
wide range of experience and role in<br />
various sections.”<br />
Amanda Stewart, Policing Board<br />
Click the target for more<br />
information and to book<br />
Role of the Non-Executive<br />
Date: 28 November<br />
Venue: Maryculter House, Aberdeenshire<br />
Cost: Member Rate: £1,295 + Vat<br />
Non-Member Rate: £1,545 + Vat<br />
This one-day course is designed to arm<br />
you with practical strategies to build your<br />
network, secure an appointment and<br />
add value in the boardroom. Gain<br />
practical advice from experienced<br />
non-executive directors and understand<br />
the critical requirements of the role<br />
across multiple sectors, including private<br />
companies and third-sector<br />
organisations.<br />
What delegates said...<br />
“The <strong>IoD</strong>’s approach to director<br />
development is practical and rooted in<br />
real-world business. We look at case<br />
studies and take a ‘real play’ rather than<br />
‘role play’ approach.”<br />
Simon Haslam, <strong>IoD</strong> course leader and<br />
strategy consultant<br />
Click the target for more<br />
information and to book<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> 31