IoD Scotland January 2024

The official membership 

magazine for the Institute 

of Directors in Scotland 

iod.com/scotland 

Direction 

JANUARY 2024 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 

Exploring 

Sustainability 

How small firms can 

make a big difference 

Aligning your business 

plans with ESG goals 

‘It’s time to join 

the revolution’ 

Steve Dunlop explains how FOR:EV 

is putting Scotland on the right 

road to an electric motoring future

www.iod.com/scotland 

IoD NEWS | DIRECTION 

Be bold, be confident: 2024 

can be the year of business 

In the six months I’ve been Chair of 

IoD in Scotland, I’ve spoken to dozens 

of business leaders, and the 

conversation always comes back to 

one thing – confidence. 

With a traditional new year behind us, 

and a financial new year on the horizon, 

now is perhaps the ideal time to examine 

the concept of business confidence a 

little more deeply. What conditions make 

business leaders feel confident, and can 

increased confidence put the 2023 

‘doldrums’ behind us? 

Most obviously, inflation and interest 

rates have the most significant impact on 

confidence. The twists and turns of the 

last 12 months have forced business 

leaders to be consistently reactive, when 

their time could be better spent planning 

for the future. 

The turmoil of interest rates and 

inflation require constant turning of the 

ship, but the wider political climate also 

has a significant impact on how positive 

business leaders feel about what’s down 

the road. However, it’s fair to say that the 

partnership between business and 

political leaders has left room for 

improvement – our engagement with 

Scotland’s New Deal for Business 

has made an impressive start, and 

that alone will do business 

confidence a world of good, says 

Julie Ashworth, Chair, IoD Scotland 

members in 2023 told us as much. 

Thankfully, there are moves to put that 

right in Scotland, and 2023 saw some 

significant strides ahead with the 

announcement of the Scottish 

Government’s New Deal for Business 

(NDB), and later, the unveiling of an 

implementation plan. 

What’s different about this initiative is 

the real involvement of the business 

community on the NDB Group. There is a 

real commitment to work together to 

tackle everything from rates and 

wellbeing to the partnership between 

business, Holyrood, and policy. 

2024 will be a crucial year for the NDB 

as we start to see some definitive action 

– and I am optimistic that real benefits 

will be seen in terms of investment, 

innovation, skills, and employment. 

Our members tell us that clear 

channels of communication and 

accessible engagement on incoming 

regulations are essential in order for 

business leaders to engage with decision 

makers. And this is why we have been, 

and will be, at the table with 

Government, working on behalf of 

members to achieve those aims. 

To succeed, the New Deal for Business 

must be realistic. The Government’s 

flagship policies of wellbeing and Net 

Zero must co-exist with business leaders’ 

(and their shareholders) need for 

meaningful growth. One cannot be 

achieved at the expense of another. 

Doing business well is an ambition most 

leaders strive for, but the numbers need 

to add up. 

Within an environment of partnership 

and transparency, business leaders are 

also better able to plan. Coming off the 

back of a period where planning was all 

but impossible, the confidence boost 

from having a plan cannot be 

underestimated. Over recent months we 

have seen a step-change in planning, 

with more leaders asking the critical 

questions ahead of time and getting 

activation plans in place. It’s great to be 

proactive again. 

Finally, we have all seen and 

experienced the way in which business 

optimism rubs off on others. It really is 

catching. Which is why we’d urge you to 

tell us how confident you are about the 

prospects of the businesses and 

organisations you lead. You can do this is 

through our monthly policy voice 

survey, or our annual State of the 

Nation survey. The latter should have 

landed with you last week. 

Or, of course, speak to us at one of our 

many national and branch events 

planned for the Spring. 

I look forward to seeing you there. 

IoD Scotland 

12 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE 

T: 0131 557 5488 

E: iod.scotland@iod.com 

W: www.iod.com 

Nations Director - Scotland: 

Catherine McWilliam 

Catherine.McWilliam@iod.com 

Branch Manager: 

Patricia Huth 

T: 0131 557 5488 

Patricia.Huth@iod.com 

Commercial Manager, PD: 

Natasha Ure 

E: natasha.ure@iod.com 

T: 0131 460 7681 

Direction 

Direction is the official membership magazine of IoD Scotland and is published by: 

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Editorial: Lisa Donnelly 

Please send press releases or editorial for consideration for future issues of Direction to Lisa at 

E: lisa@clarkcommunications.co.uk 

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material contained within this magazine, neither IoD 

Scotland, Chamber Media Services nor Clark can accept any responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies in its 

editorial or advertising content. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the IoD. 

The carriage of advertisements or editorials in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the 

products or services advertised. 

JANUARY 2024 03

DIRECTION | WELCOME 


IoD Scotland is in a great place 

to make a real difference 

Welcome from Catherine 

McWilliam, Nations Director, 

IoD Scotland 

Welcome to our Winter edition of 

Direction Magazine. January is a great 

month for reflecting on the year gone 

by and looking ahead at what the next 

12 months may hold. After a lovely 

break over the holiday season, I’ve 

been doing just that. 

I’m immensely proud of our team and 

the work they’ve put in over the course 

of 2023. We held more than 70 events 

across our branches. These gatherings 

provide an opportunity to network with 

like-minded leaders, and build new 

connections, as well as learn more about 

specific issues and opportunities from 

specialists across a range of sectors. 

We also welcomed over 200 new 

members, and I’m pleased to see how 

much our membership is evolving. 

There’s no longer a stereotype; we now 

play host to a diverse range of leaders 

from across Scotland’s rich tapestry. 

More women, increased cultural 

diversity, and a range of ages allows IoD 

Scotland to mirror the dynamic essence 

of our nation’s business landscape. 

We renewed our commitment to our 

rural communities last year, by 

appointing joint chairs for the Highlands 

and Islands branch, with Alison Wilson 

leading support for the Highlands, and 

Clare Winskill for the Islands. By 

tailoring our offering, we can better drill 

down into the issues affecting local 

business and push leaders’ priorities for 

change, such as adequate 

accommodation for staff, local tourism 

or access to national support for 

international trade. 

We continued to champion our 

members, and strived for a seat at every 

table where decisions are being made. 

Our involvement in the New Deal for 

Business group, which our chair Julie 

Ashworth discussed on the previous 

page, allowed us to advocate for leaders 

to become involved with policy making 

at the planning stage, rather than 

further down the line as the policy 

becomes reality and it is more difficult to 

exert our influence on it. 

We eagerly await the implementation 

of our recommendations at Government 

level, and will be monitoring this closely 

throughout 2024. 

A challenging year 

Of course, 2023 was not an easy year, 

and leaders are still navigating the 

effects of the pandemic, along with 

additional issues caused by global 

unrest. Business confidence is low, with 

skill shortages still topping the list of key 

concerns for our members. 

Attracting and retaining talent is 

challenging, and the introduction of an 

additional income tax band at the 

Scottish budget in December has also 

cast a shadow on Scotland’s economic 

horizon. With six tax bands compared to 

the rest of the UK’s three, this 

divergence is disappointing, and may 

hinder Scotland’s ability to compete on a 

broader stage. 

We’re also set for the possibility of a 

change in leadership at UK level 

following the General Election later in 

the year. 

These factors all add an element of 

uncertainty to strategic planning, 

however IoD Scotland is committed to 

supporting members with advice, and 

amplifying the collective influence of our 

members at government level. 

We’re looking for your thoughts on 

the skills shortage, plus other business 

issues and opportunities, in our annual 

State of the Nation survey, which was 

issued last week. If you haven’t already, 

please do take time to have your say so 

we can use this insight to shape our 

dialogue with Government officials. 

Sustainability theme 

We’re going to have a different theme 

for each edition of Direction in 2024, 

with this issue focusing on sustainability 

in business practice. 

Our Spring issue will be centred 

around artificial intelligence, so if you 

have any insights you’d like to share, or 

have any comments or questions, please 

do drop me an email, at 

Catherine.McWilliam@iod.com. 

In the meantime, I look forward to 

seeing many of you at our events, in our 

hubs, or for a coffee over the next few 

months. 

Wishing you all a happy, successful 

2024. 

“We also welcomed over 200 new members, and I’m pleased to 

see how much our membership is evolving. There’s no longer a 

stereotype; we now play host to a diverse range of leaders from 

across Scotland’s rich tapestry. More women, increased cultural 

diversity, and a range of ages allows IoD Scotland to mirror the 

dynamic essence of our nation’s business landscape...” 

04 JANUARY 2024



IoD Edinburgh & the Lothians 

Fiery FMQs and an insightful lunch with MSPs 

Members of the Edinburgh branch were given an 

opportunity to engage with key decision makers at 

Holyrood in November. The 30-strong group attended 

a lively FMQ session at Parliament before sitting down 

to a private lunch with Angus Robertson, Cabinet 

Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture 

(who was representing his Edinburgh Central 

constituency rather than his cabinet role) and the MSP 

for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson. 

The group was able to put their questions to the 

MSPs and engage in open and insightful conversations 

over lunch at the Wedgwood. Assurances were given 

that open dialogue with business leaders was high on 

the agenda for MSPs, and members were encouraged 

to share their views on the challenges and 

opportunities facing Scottish businesses. 

We’d like to extend our thanks to Mr Robertson and 

Mr Macpherson for their time, and look forward to our 

next visit to Holyrood. 

IoD Central 

Handlebar heroes: From Calais to Cannes in 13 days 

Brian Williamson, vice chair of IoD 

Scotland’s Central branch, completed a 

momentous 927-mile cycle with two 

friends in November, raising a huge 

£22,683.88 for charity. 

Former high school basketball stars 

Norrie Bairner, 71, Bobby Morton, 69, and 

Brian, 67, were aided by friend and 

another former basketball player, 

Campbell Ferrier, 69, who drove a 

campervan alongside them. The money 

raised has been split between the 

Strathcarron Hospice, Kidney Kids 

Scotland, Pancreatic Cancer, Diabetes 

Scotland, and The Melanoma Society. 

Brian, an entrepreneur who has backed 

many local businesses and start-ups, 

said: “We had a blast from day one and it 

was a great experience. Everyone was so 

supportive and welcoming everywhere 

we went – a French newspaper in 

Mercurey liked our story so much they 

interviewed us and published it. 

“The weather was definitely on our side 

and we didn’t have any issues apart from 

going onto a motorway at one point! 

“Some roads were terrifying at times, 

and we had a lucky break when we met a 

Quebec-born fellow cyclist just as we 

approached the horribly busy traffic on 

the verge of the city of Lyons. He gave up 

his lunchtime cycle ride to steer us a 

course through the heavy traffic and I 

doubt we could have managed without 

him. 

“The toughest part of the trip was 

climbing Mont Ventoux in Provence as 

every hairpin bend was followed by a 

steeper climb to the next hairpin bend. 

“If you had said to us a few months ago 

that we would have completed such a 

927-mile cycle from Calais to Cannes 

challenge, we simply wouldn’t have 

believed you. 

“It just shows that in life you can 

achieve a lot more than you think you are 

capable of doing. And we arrived one day 

earlier than scheduled!” 

The trio have not been fazed by the 

experience and are actively considering 

their next trip. 

Brian (left) with pals Norrie and Bobbie 

after their triumphant arrival on the 

French coast 


DIRECTION | IoD NEWS 


IoD Glasgow and the West of Scotland 

Creating connections and understanding transport 

A number of transport-related issues 

meant that businesses in the West of 

Scotland faced a challenging time in 

2023. The M8 roadworks continued to 

create significant delays to across the 

city, and the new Low Emission Zone 

(LEZ) created further complexity and 

cost for some businesses. 

In the wider region, continued issues 

with the Aran Ferries, major roadworks 

in Inverclyde and Ayrshire, and a fire at 

Ayr railway station have also created 

challenges for business and travellers. 

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to 

have a significant impact on business 

footfall in Glasgow, directly impacting 

businesses and IoD members that 

support daytime business trade, and the 

reduction in face-to-face meetings 

continues to change how business 

connections are created. 

But despite all of this, businesses in 

the West of Scotland have continued to 

show resilience, and the IoD has also 

been playing its part. In September a 

new IoD members hub was introduced 

at the VEGA at YOTEL in Glasgow. This 

excellent facility is centrally located next 

to Glasgow’s Central Station, providing a 

perfect place to touch down to work, 

meet clients, enjoy a drink at the end of 

the day or, if you wish, entertain clients 

or friends at one of the two bowling 

alleys. 

Understanding and influencing the 

wider transport issues in the West of 

Scotland was seen as a key priority for 

the IoD in the region, and in October the 

Glasgow and West members were 

hosted at an event by Bruce Kiloh, head 

of policy and planning at the Strathclyde 

Partnership for Transport (SPT). 

Bruce took us all through SPT’s 

regional transport strategy, as well as 

insights into the challenges of running 

and developing a transport system in the 

post-Covid world which has dramatically 

changed how, when and why we travel. 

• To read the SPT report, click here 

West of Scotland members 

in the new IoD hub at the 

VEGA, YOTEL Glasgow 



DOWNTIME | DIRECTION 

Glasgow’s world-renowned music 

festival, Celtic Connections, is brightening 

up these dark winter days with a host of 

sensational live performances across 

Glasgow. 

From the Barrowland Ballroom to the 

Pavilion Theatre, 1,200 musicians are 

performing at over 300 events until 

Sunday, February 4. 

Whether it’s traditional folk, jazz, soul, 

or rock that gets your foot tapping, 

there’s something available for everyone 

with workshops, dementia-friendly 

performances, screenings and intimate 

gigs on offer. 

On February 1, American banjo player 

Béla Fleck will showcase his incredible 

talent that earned him the 2022 Best 

Photo credit: Gaelle Beri 

Celtic Connections drums up excitement 

Bluegrass Album Grammy. 

While on February 3, the Traditional 

Music and Song Association will stage 

Scots Women: Generations o’ Change at 

City Hall to honour Scottish female folk 

singers through a collaborative musical 

journey. 

Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for 

Celtic Connections, said: “A huge amount 

of effort goes into a festival of this scale, 

and everyone has been working 

extremely hard to make this year’s 18-day 

event one of our most memorable. 

“With a diverse line-up being staged 

across the city, world premieres and rare 

performances from some of the most 

acclaimed artists in the world, there’s 

truly something special for everyone.” 

A hole-in-one for the 

far North of Scotland 

Lonely Planet has named the Far North 

of Scotland as one of the best regions to 

travel to this year. 

Home to some of the most breathtaking 

coastal scenes and sweeping landscapes, 

the area not only boasts unbelievable 

natural beauty but is home to the 

world-class Royal Dornoch Golf Club. 

The 18-hole course offers unspoilt 

mountainous views which have landed it 

a spot in Golf Digest’s top 100 courses. 

It offers tranquillity alongside challenging 

domed greens and strategically placed 

bunkers. The Dornoch Firth bay leaves a 

narrow strip of curving dune land for the 

parallel fairways, with hole 17 and 18 

finishing at the white sandy beach. 

For more information. visit: 

https://royaldornoch.com/ 

For further details, visit: https://www.celticconnections.com/ 

Photo: UNIQLO 

UNIQLO’s a perfect fit for 

Edinburgh’s High Street 

Popular fashion retailer UNIQLO is 

opening a new store in Edinburgh this 

spring. 

The Japanese clothing brand boasts 

high quality pieces as part of its LifeWear 

philosophy to create a wardrobe that will 

last forever. UNIQLO’s unique blend of 

style and comfort has allowed for the 

blossoming company to cater for all 

demographics and for every occasion, 

from school wear to office attire. 

The company also produces innovative 

HEATTECH thermal clothing with fibres 

one tenth the width of a human hair in 

place to retain body heat. 

UNIQLO Edinburgh will be located on 

Princes Street, a prime shopping spot in 

the city centre, and will span two floors. 

More at https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/ 

Two Sisters takes centre stage 

The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh brings the thought-provoking and emotive 

play Two Sisters to the Scottish capital this February. 

This slice-of-life production is a new play by David Greig which follows siblings 

Amy and Emma as they return to their childhood ‘paradise,’ a seaside caravan park. 

The pair explore a changed resort and their own personal growth – or lack of it. 

A chance meeting with an old acquintance has memories flooding back to remind 

them that their old selves might not be as far removed as they might have thought. 

Directed by Wils Wilson, the story looks at who we were at 16, who we are now 

and the gap in between. It runs from February 10 until March 2. Tickets details can 

be found at https://lyceum.org.uk/events/two-sisters 

New Six by Nico shows he’s cooking with gas 

Fine dining mastermind Nico Simeone 

has expanded his ever-evolving set 

menu concept with a new Six by Nico 

location in Glasgow. The Merchant City 

joint with a ‘new look’ comes after six 

years of imaginative and affordable 

cuisine in Finnieston, Southside and 

Byres Road. 

The restaurant, which serves six courses 

paired with wines that tie into an overarching theme, launched on January 15 with 

its first concept of 2024: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Impeccably presented dishes 

including ‘The White Rabbit’, ‘Paint The Roses Red’ and ‘Off With Its Head!’ make 

for a unique and playful Alice in Wonderland inspired dining experience in the 

heart of Glasgow. For bookings, visit: https://www.sixbynico.co.uk/ 


DIRECTION | SUSTAINABILITY 


IoD’s Sustainability Ambassadors 

are here to help 

Sustainability is no longer viewed as a ‘nice to 

have’ in business strategy. The ability to articulate 

a clear position in respect to sustainability issues 

can give businesses the edge, help attract and 

retain team members in a difficult recruitment 

market, potentially offer new strategic 

opportunities and reduce business risks. 

Many businesses are using sustainability to 

drive growth and move to positions of a ‘new 

normal’ with a focus on continued but 

sustainable growth, resilience in supply chains 

and the ability to embrace new opportunities 

presented by the low carbon (net zero) and 

circular economy. 

Next steps 

Working out how and where to start can be a 

real challenge. For those companies already 

progressing, identifying the next steps can often 

seem bewildering. The world of sustainability is 

full of jargon and targets, but it need not be 

complicated. The drivers to incorporate 

sustainability in your business may vary but often 

include regulatory, investor and consumer 

demands. 

Formal systems and accreditations such as ESG 

(environmental, social, and corporate 

governance) and B-Corp certification, among 

others, can help, but may not be appropriate for 

all. The key is to articulate a clear and authentic 

position which can be reflected in the way your 

business operates. 

How the IoD can help 

The IoD is here to help its members. On a UK 

basis the IoD publishes papers and manages 

events focused on the sustainability issue. It has 

got off to an early start in January 2024 by 

publishing a paper titled ‘Grasping the Net Zero 

Opportunity’ and presenting a case study of 

Turley Advisors, ‘Empowering the whole business 

to achieve net zero’. These resources are 

available free of charge on the IoD website. 

Click 

here 

IoD Scotland’s role 

IoD Scotland, via a network of regional 

Sustainability Ambassadors, can offer support 

and can connect you to others that may be able 

to help. These Ambassadors have a broad range 

of experience and act as a conduit to help your 

network with other members. 

IoD Scotland members are encouraged to 

contact the National Lead and Regional IoD 

Sustainability Ambassadors, or they can be 

accessed via the regional Branch Chairs who are 

happy to help. 

IoD Scotland Sustainability Leads working 

with the Regional Branches offer events, with 

networking opportunities and the chance to hear 

from experts in the field as well as case studies 

from members. 

Following on from the success of the seminar 

organised by the Aberdeen Branch in October 

2023, a second Sustainability Seminar and 

Opportunity saw the co-Chairs of the Highlands 

and Islands IoD Branch, Alison Wilson and Clare 

Winskill, meet up with members 24th January. 

The event included updates from the 

manufacturing, transportation, hospitality, 

renewable and finance sectors and concluded 

with a tour of Uile-bheist’s state-of-the-art 

sustainable distillery and brewery. 

Keep an eye on the IoD Scotland page of the 

website for future events focused on 

sustainability, to be organised across Scotland in 

2024 



SUSTAINABILITY | DIRECTION 

IoD Sustainability Leads in Scotland 

Location 

Background 

Wendy Rayner National Lead Sustainable resource use, waste and circular economy. 

wendy.rayner@gov.scot 

Mark Wilson Aberdeen ESG, net zero and energy. 

mwilson@oeuk.org.uk 

Callum Cruden 

callum@ricruden.net 

Highland & Islands (Inverness) Green energy and net zero transition 

Lisa Lambie Highland & Islands (Oban) Green investment and finance 

lisa.lambie@marooninvest.com 

Paul Codd Edinburgh & Lothians Green energy and technology 

paul@flexergy.net 

If you are an IoD member and would be interested in becoming an IoD Scotland Regional Sustainability Lead 

please get in contact with your Branch Chair or Wendy Rayner. 

Callum Cruden 

Wendy Rayner 

“Sustainable and inclusive business growth is not only good 

for the planet... research shows that companies which integrate 

ESG into their growth strategies outperform their peers. 

Analysis by McKinsey & Co demonstrates that a strong ESG 

commitment adds additional shareholder value for companies that 

also exceed their peers in growth and profitability. The message is 

clear: not only can you do well while doing good, you can do better.” 

The IoD runs courses and training events 

throughout the year, focused on sustainability. 

Click the button below for more details 

Click 

here 




IoD Fife & Tayside 

Exploring sustainability: A journey 

through time at the RSGS 

On September 28, members of the IoD 

were invited to embark on a unique 

exploration of sustainability, hosted by 

the Fife & Tayside branch. Held at the 

Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s 

(RSGS) historic Lord John Murray House 

in Perth City Centre, this event gave us 

not only a glimpse into Scotland’s rich 

geographical history but also an 

opportunity to learn from the past for a 

sustainable future. 

The event showcased the Climate 

Solutions Accelerator course, a 

collaborative effort between IoD and 

RSGS, designed to equip business 

leaders with the knowledge to navigate 

the challenges of a rapidly changing 

climate. 

Mike Robinson, RSGS Chief Executive, 

led discussions on sustainability, drawing 

on his vast experience in climate action, 

policy development, and collaborative 

initiatives. 

Unexpected Leadership in 

Sustainability 

Surprisingly, Scotland emerged as a 

leader in sustainability discussions. The 

RSGS, a dynamic educational charity, 

spearheaded geographical 

understanding and joined-up thinking. 

In the same way Mike Robinson’s 

visionary leadership not only revitalised 

the RSGS but also played a pivotal role in 

shaping Scotland’s climate change 

legislation and initiatives. 

Marlene Lowe, Chair of Fife 

& Tayside branch said : “The 

old explorers were storytellers.” 

The event, with its captivating 

narrative, unfolded as a 

tapestry of resilience, growth, 

and adaptation spanning 130 

years. Attendees found 

themselves immersed in a 

world of history, forgetting 

everything but the captivating 

stories of explorers and 

geographical pioneers.” 

Signing the same guest book 

as legends like David 

Attenborough and Neil 

Armstrong, attendees left with 

a profound sense of privilege, 

having witnessed the profound 

impact of the RSGS’s work on a 

global scale. 

The event was held in 

partnership with RSGS, Perthshire 

Chamber of Commerce, and Blackadders. 

A sincere thank you to the IoD team for 

orchestrating this enlightening 

experience. Together, attendees paved 

the way for a more sustainable and 

interconnected world. 

For more information on 

the Climate Solutions 

Accelerator course, a 

collaborative effort 

between IoD and RSGS 

Click 

here 

Lord John Murray House 




IoD Highlands & Islands 

‘Region offers a unique landscape for businesses who 

want to embed sustainability into their operations’ 

As we begin 2024, we thank our 

former IoD Highlands and 

Islands branch chair, Donald 

Forsyth, for his leadership 

over the years and wish him 

well in his non-exec roles 

with a range of businesses. 

Co-chairs, Alison Wilson 

(Highlands) and Clare 

Winskill (Islands) have taken 

on the mantle and look forward 

to representing and building our 

membership across the region. 

Our priority 

Sustainability is a key priority for our 

members, and we are delighted that, 

alongside Lisa Lambie, Callum Cruden has 

joined our committee as an additional 

sustainability ambassador (see page 9 for 

contact details). 

The Highlands and Islands present a 

unique landscape for businesses seeking to 

integrate sustainability into their 

operations. Opportunities abound in 

harnessing the region’s rich natural 

resources for renewable energy. At our first 

drop-in session last week, we heard how 

the Green Freeport will help realise a 

potential to become the largest European 

Alison Wilson 

hub for the development of the 

offshore wind industry and 

associated renewable energy 

technologies. With the 

creation of more than 10,000 

jobs and the draw of leading 

green technology and 

renewables, the importance of 

the Green Freeport cannot be 

understated in reversing population 

decline in our area. 

Our landscapes offer ideal settings for 

eco-tourism, promoting both environmental 

conservation and economic growth. The 

local agriculture sector has the potential to 

embrace sustainable practices, fostering 

resilient and environmentally friendly food 

production. 

Challenges 

However, the region’s journey towards 

sustainability will not be easy. The 

geography poses logistical 

challenges and costs in 

implementing green 

technologies and sustainable 

practices. Infrastructure 

development is crucial to 

connect businesses with sustainable 

solutions. Finding a balance between much 

needed economic growth and conservation 

is also a delicate challenge. For example, in 

the fishing industry, where sustainable 

practices are essential to preserving marine 

ecosystems, rural communities depend on 

fishing and jobs in aquaculture to prevent 

further depopulation. Similarly in tourism, 

high levels of debt, high energy costs and 

the effects of the cost-of-living crisis are 

making investment in renewables for many 

businesses impossible without financial 

support. 

Collaboration between businesses, 

government and local communities is key 

to overcoming these challenges. 

Investment in sustainable infrastructure, 

education and innovation will be pivotal in 

ensuring that the Highlands and Islands 

not only seize the opportunities presented 

by sustainability, but also address the 

unique challenges associated with our 

geographical and economic 

context. 

Clare Winskill 

“Investment in sustainable infrastructure, education and 

innovation will be pivotal in ensuring that the Highlands and 

Islands not only seize the opportunities presented by 

sustainability but also address the unique challenges associated 

with our geographical and economic context.” 

“The Highlands has the 

chance to become the 

largest European hub for 

the development of the 

offshore wind industry 

and associated renewable 

energy technologies...” 

Port of Nigg, Cromarty Firth 




IoD Aberdeen & Grampian 

How sustainable is your sustainability? 

A series of events dedicated to the 

business opportunities created by 

the sustainability agenda, 

launched by Aberdeen, are being 

rolled out across IoD Scotland 

There are big opportunities for Scottish businesses, 

including IoD members, on the subject of 

sustainability. 

That was made clear at the first sustainability 

event held in Aberdeen on October 31. The event 

was designed to outline the sustainability 

opportunities/ challenges, increase awareness and 

provide understanding of national and regional 

sustainability matters. The Aberdeen format will be 

rolled out across other Scottish IoD regions. 

The aims of the sessions are: 

n To highlight the opportunities (and risks) to 

business with respect to sustainability; 

n To articulate the key targets and actions for 

Scotland/ UK; 

n To highlight existing support available to 

Members (and their organisations); 

n To inform using case studies and show additional 

value and expertise in the sustainability space to 

members; and 

n To seek new members to IoD operating in the 

sustainability market. 

For the first session, the IoD Aberdeen 

committee was keen that it was not dominated by 

those businesses that are related to the energy 

sector; given the Aberdeen location that would be 

very easy to do. As such we were keen to provide a 

varied team of presenters. 

The line up included: 

Arnold Clark: Pablo Levi, Group Sustainability 

Manager 

Robert Gordon University: Veronica Strachan, 

University Secretary and Vice Principal 

Port of Aberdeen: Roddy James, Chief 

Commercial Officer 

Aberdeen Football Club: Zoe Ogilvie, Board 

Director AFC 

Zero Waste Scotland: Kenny Taylor, Partner: 

Energy Infrastructure 

All the presenters gave their own unique view of 

sustainability, whether that be via the technology, 

innovation, people, skills, culture lens. 

What was very apparent was that there was no 

one approach, although the setting of business 

targets and communicating these to relevant 

stakeholders was a common theme. 

The diverse nature of the presenters certainly 

allowed for a thought-provoking session that 

generated many learnings that those attending 

could take into their own businesses. 

Other learnings included the importance of 

ensuring that investment is committed to your 

organisation’s plans; ensuring that you choose the 

right investment area; make sure the focus is on the 

big-ticket items that can influence behaviour and 

drive performance improvements; the role of 

leadership support and buy-in; how to link 

sustainability into the organisational vision/ 

mission statement; and ensuring that feedback on 

how the initiatives has made a difference is 

communicated via a sustainable communication 

approach. 

The next sustainability session for the 

Aberdeen & Grampian Branch will take 

place in early March 2024 in Aberdeen to 

allow for those that wish to travel by train 

to do so via a day trip. Watch out for 

IoD updates with further information. 




Navigating the 

path to corporate 

sustainability: 

A director’s guide 

by Pablo Levi, 

Group Sustainability Manager 

at Arnold Clark 

In an era where environmental and social concerns 

increasingly shape business landscapes, company 

directors find themselves at the forefront of a new 

imperative: sustainability. 

While the concept may seem broad and 

daunting, a strategic and focused approach cannot 

only mitigate risks but also uncover opportunities 

for financial growth. Here I will lay out three key 

principles that directors should consider when 

steering their companies toward sustainability. 

Materiality: Guiding sustainability efforts 

with the TCFD Framework 

Sustainability, in its expansive scope, 

encompasses a myriad of environmental, social, 

and governance (ESG) factors. Recognising that it is 

impractical for companies to address every aspect, 

directors should zero in on areas that pose material 

financial risks or opportunities. The Task Force on 

Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 

framework is a valuable tool in this endeavour. 

The TCFD framework provides a structured 

approach to assess and disclose climate-related 

risks and opportunities. Even if a business is not 

mandated to disclose these, conducting a thorough 

TCFD analysis will help directors identify where 

sustainability intersects with the core financial 

aspects of their business. This focus ensures that 

efforts are not wasted on low-impact areas or those 

that are misaligned with the company’s long-term 

financial health. 

Integration of sustainability with operations: 

A prerequisite for success 

One pitfall that directors must avoid is the 

isolation of sustainability initiatives from the 

operational core of the business. Sustainability 

should not be a separate entity but an integral part 

of the company’s operations. To achieve this 

integration, collaboration between the 

sustainability team or committee and 

operational units is paramount. 

Operational feasibility is the linchpin that 

binds sustainability goals with day-to-day 

business functions. Directors must ensure that 

sustainability measures are not merely 

conceptual but are rooted in the practicality 

of implementation. By fostering a culture of 

cross-functional collaboration, directors can 

break down silos, making it easier to embed 

sustainable practices into the fabric of the 

organisation. 

Aligning sustainability plans with 

business planning cycles 

The third crucial element in a director’s approach 

to sustainability is understanding and aligning the 

timing of sustainability plans with the unique 

planning cycles of each business. Sustainability 

initiatives are investments in the future, and their 

success depends on congruence with the temporal 

dynamics of the industry. 

Different industries operate on distinct timelines. 

For instance, businesses in the oil and gas sector 

often contend with planning horizons that extend 

over three decades. In contrast, more volatile 

industries may need to recalibrate their strategies 

every five years. Directors must tailor their 

sustainability plans to harmonise with these cycles, 

ensuring that long-term investments are aligned 

with the business’s overarching goals and adapt to 

evolving market conditions. 

In conclusion, the path to corporate sustainability 

demands a strategic, focused, and integrated 

approach. Directors must prioritise materiality 

through frameworks like TCFD, integrate 

sustainability efforts into operations, and align 

plans with the unique planning cycles of their 

businesses. 

Sustainability can feel like a daunting task but, in 

the end, it is just another business issue that can be 

framed and approached by using tools and 

processes that are already in most director’s 

toolkits. 

“Sustainability 

should not be a 

separate entity 

but an integral 

part of your 

operations...” 

Pablo Levi 


DIRECTION | IoD NEWS 


Making a positive 

impact on the planet 

Participants look at a screen showing a 

world map with climate anomalies 

during the World Climate Change 

Conference at Le Bourge, France. 

When it comes to ESG, small businesses can 

make a big difference, says David Cox, 

Business Development at Rewired Earth 

Until recently, much of the pressure to 

become sustainable has fallen upon larger 

organisations. However, small businesses 

make up the greater part of the 

economy, and so it’s critical that they too 

are addressing global sustainability goals. 

Leaders already have enough on their 

plate with challenges like inflation, 

recession, and technological disruption 

to name just a few. We seldom have the 

resources in both talent and technology 

for a major investment aimed at 

addressing the environmental and social 

change needed to thrive in this modern 

market place. 

However, having a good sustainability 

strategy can improve reputation, create 

greater value, increase transparency, and 

navigate regulation. It can also be a 

growth engine and build resilience. 

In a survey by Rewired Earth, 78% of 

consumers agreed with the statement ‘If 

I could, I would only buy sustainable 

products’. This shows us that there is a 

huge appetite for sustainable products 

and practices, and not just from 

consumers. Data also shows that 

sustainability is a pivotal driver of 

employee engagement, and attracting 

and retaining talent. 

A sustainability strategy can also lead 

to improved operational efficiency. 

Larger businesses are being rightly held 

accountable for their supply chain 

transparency, but having a commitment 

to ESG is vital for any organisation 

operating as part of a supply chain. 

Renewable energy can reduce costs, 

while digitalisation can have a positive 

impact on the environment. Recycled 

materials can reduce wastage, and could 

lead to a new line of products. 

But implementing a sustainability 

strategy can seem like a cumbersome 

task – it doesn’t have to be. It should be 

simple and easy to execute. 

There are five steps to consider: 

n A purpose-driven business mission – 

focusing on people and planet. 

n A culture of sustainability led from the 

top. 

n A materiality assessment focusing on 

the greatest impact. 

n Operational transformation. 

n Reporting to stakeholders. 

First steps 

Begin by understanding what is 

important to your customers and their 

customers from a sustainability 

perspective. This will help focus on where 

“In a survey by Rewired Earth, 

78% of consumers agreed with 

the statement ‘If I could, I would 

only buy sustainable products’. 

This shows us that there is a 

huge appetite for sustainable 

products and practices...” 

you can add the most value. 

Focus on one or two of the UN’s 

Sustainble Development Goals, rather 

than all 17 at once. Remember that doing 

something is better than nothing, and 

when it comes to reporting, hone in on 

one or two key data points, not several. 

Impact is about quality, not quantity. 

For example, if vehicles are important 

in your operations, implement a clean 

vehicle fleet management programme. 

Maybe your board can be more diverse. 

If your employees are below minimum 

wage, increase their compensation. 

Increase training. Offer employees ESG 

investments in their pension plans. 

Create a network of like-minded 

businesses which support each other. 

Build partnerships to grow your business. 

Sustainability itself can become an 

engine of growth through a like-minded 

ecosystem. 

Ask for help, if you need it. Financial 

institutions can provide special financing 

services. Industry associations can offer 

advice and expertise. Policy makers can 

provide targeted incentives to encourage 

higher performance. 

Small businesses are an economy’s 

major source of innovation and growth, 

but it’s the larger enterprises that get 

most of the attention. Investing in small 

businesses through both private and 

public sources remains one of the most 

underrated investments. Without small 

businesses a more sustainable and 

inclusive world simply remains beyond 

our reach. 

If you are a small business, the time to 

start developing your sustainability story 

is now. 


09

DIRECTION | BEHIND THE DESK 

Education has the power to 

help everyone succeed 

Each issue, Direction catches up with a 

prominent Scottish leader to find out a 

little more about life in their sector, and 

what makes them tick. This issue, 

Marie Hendry, Chief Executive of the 

College Development Network 

What is the greatest recurring challenge 

you come across in your role, and what’s 

your strategy for dealing with it? 

The education sector, like the wider 

public sector in general, is facing a time 

of significant change and financial 

challenge. We need to ensure that the 

organisation is fit for the future and 

focused upon our core purpose – 

supporting the development of people 

and practice in colleges, and of its 

leaders, staff and board members in the 

sector and beyond. We are also focused 

on helping to improve colleges through 

the sharing of best practice and 

continuous improvement. Our newly 

launched three-year strategy is designed 

to support those ambitions. 

Who, or what, drives you or inspires you? 

I’m continually inspired by the people I 

work with: the staff and the board at 

CDN – and those working in colleges and 

sector organisations - all of whom have a 

real passion and commitment to 

providing high quality and life-changing 

education and skills. 

Personally, I’m driven by a desire to 

see everyone given an opportunity to 

succeed in life – and the transformative 

power of education to do that. 

What is your long-term vision for the 

organisation that you lead? 

CDN is an organisation valued and 

respected for its work in supporting 

colleges to develop their practice, their 

people, their governance and their 

learning and teaching methods. We want 

to build upon that and provide the 

further education and the wider post-16 

education sectors with the high quality, 

accessible and expert training, 

consultancy, advice and networking 

opportunities that will enable them to 

develop, improve and thrive in 

challenging times. 

What keeps you awake at night? 

Usually my cats Buddy and Dave 

looking for attention! 

What makes a good leader great? 

A great leader is one who has a vision 

and direction. Crucially though, they 

need to take people with them towards 

that end goal. The great leaders are 

those who listen, welcome challenge and 

provide opportunities for opinions to be 

shared but who aren’t afraid to make the 

final decision and stand by it. Authenticity 

in leadership is critical – knowing when to 

say “thanks”, “well done”, “help” and, 

when appropriate, “sorry”. 

Have you had a mentor, and what did 

he/she add to your development? 

I’ve had mentors at various stages in 

my career and I’ve been a mentor to 

others myself. I’ve found the advice, 

support and guidance provided by my 

mentors invaluable, particularly during 

times of change. The opportunity to 

receive trusted advice on a proposed 

direction of travel is one that is worth its 

weight in gold. 

Even leaders aren’t the finished article. 

What’s next in your leadership 

development journey? 

I’m a huge believer in lifelong learning, 

whether that be through formal courses 

and qualifications, by learning from 

others or learning through action. In 

times of rapid change, it’s critical to do 

them all. 

So, with that in mind, I’m going to 

undertake some of CDN’s own Executive 

Leadership courses. I’m also going to get 

out and about to meet leaders in and 

around the sector, so I can soak up as 

much learning as I can from them. I also 

want to lead my organisation in a way 

that fosters innovation and impact. 

I have the privilege of sitting on a 

number of Boards, and the opportunities 

to develop, learn from other organisations 

and support their strategic direction is 

one which I really value – I’d like to do 

more here. 

What is the ‘next big thing’ that will 

transform your sector? 

The emergence of AI will undoubtedly 

have a transformative impact on how we 

deliver learning, engage with students, 

undertake assessment and how we each 

undertake our day-to-day work. 

What piece of technology do you rely 

on most? 

Definitely my iPhone. The ability to stay 

connected while on the go is invaluable, 

particularly as I get out and about 

meeting people. Having an office in my 

pocket really helps get on with the day 

job while I’m on trains and in colleges. 

What is your favourite social media 

platform, and what does it bring to 

your business/organisation? 

I’m a big fan of LinkedIn as a business 

tool. The ability to keep in touch with 

people and find useful connections, 

insight and advice is really useful. 

As an organisation we utilise the 

platform as well as YouTube and X, to 

connect with our stakeholders and 

showcase the amazing work of our 

colleges, for example, our CDN College 

Award finalists showcases. 

What needs fixed? 

The idea that there is a one-size-fits-all 

education model that benefits everyone 

equally. We need to develop a system 

and funding that truly supports widening 

access to education and supports skills 

development, career changes and 

education whenever in life people need 

to access it and however it best meets 

their circumstances, background or 

life-chances. 

What leadership advice would you give 

your younger self? 

Take every opportunity to learn and 

develop, believe in yourself and do what 

makes you happy. 



DIRECTION | LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW 


As CEO of FOR:EV, Steve Dunlop is the man 

tasked with helping Scotland make the 

switch to electric-powered motoring, He 

talks to Direction’s Rob Beswick about the 

likely potholes in the road ahead – and why, 

with foresight and leadership from the top, 

ditching petrol and diesel for renewable 

electric should become the natural choice 

Powering the way 

to an EV revolution 

You don’t have to be the 

biggest Top Gear petrolhead 

to know that when it comes 

to the cars we drive, we’re in 

the middle of a revolution – and it’s 

all about electric-powered motoring. 

For the past decade the message 

from governments and manufacturers 

alike has been very clear: ICE is out, 

and electric is the future. 

It will involve a huge change to the 

cars and vans we drive, how we 

refuel them and how we think about 

them as assets. But if you’re not sure 

about whether this is a bandwagon 

on which you want to climb on board 

– or even if you are downright hostile 

to the idea – in many ways it doesn’t 

matter: as Steve Dunlop, CEO of 

FOR:EV, puts it, “the bets have been 

placed; vehicle manufacturers and 

governments have backed electric 

vehicles (EVs) as a key part of our 

response to climate change, and they 

are the future now. 

“Hydrogen and other technologies 

will also have a part to play, but 

electric-powered vehicles will play 

the dominant role in the future.” 

But let’s get the terminology fixed 

first, and set the scene. Since Messers 

Daimler, Benz, Rolls, Royce and Ford 

started tinkering around in their 

respective garages, our cars have 

been powered by petrol or diesel in 

an internal combustion engine – 

that’s the ICE bit mentioned above. 

But with climate change now a 

reality, and efforts being made to 

suppress our burning of fossil fuels 

and reduce carbon emissions, the 

vehicles we drive have been seen as 

the low hanging fruit of society’s 

transition to a low carbon economy. 

And that is where Steve and FOR:EV 

comes in. Based in Scotland, FOR:EV 

owns, installs and operates marketleading, 

user-friendly EV charging 

points across the UK and Sweden, 

working in partnership with a wide 

range of businesses and 

organisations to supply 100% fully 

accredited renewable green energy. 

Its goal is to use the latest 

technology to provide a stress-free 

charging experience for every driver. 

“I’m a passionate believer in the 

benefits electric cars, vans, lorries 

and even bikes bring to our 

communities and to our climate,” 

Steve says, “but it’s not a time for 

advocacy, it’s a time for delivery. 

We’re on a journey to end our 

reliance on fossil fuels and transition 

to electric motoring and that’s why 

FOR:EV matters now.” 

“Where we come in is making this 

happen by creating the EV charging 

infrastructure the public and 

businesses need. As the production 

and diversification of EV vehicles is 

ramped up, we must see the same 


ate of expansion of charging 

infrastructure to support this. We need 

to get our charging capability to the 

same level as the manufacturers have 

with the production and pipeline 

development of the electric cars they 

produce, and for the public to be able to 

support EVs with enthusiasm, without 

obstacles in their way. 

“But it’s easy to see that as far as public 

support is concerned, there’s work to be 

done. It’s going to require a big leap for 

the public, and for businesses, to get 

behind EVs. We need to help people 

make the switch by providing them with 

a comprehensive and accessible charging 

network. That’s where FOR:EV comes in.” 

Steve came to the company 2 1/2 years 

ago as Chair at what was a significant 

point in the company’s development. 

“We were six months into an initial 

investment of £2m from the Scottish 

National Investment Bank (SNIB), which 

had identified FOR:EV as an ideal 

business to develop the growth of 

Scotland’s EV charging infrastructure - 

and as such has continued to significantly 

invest in the company. It was perfect 

timing: many businesses were 

developing their own net zero/climate 

change plans and looking at their vehicle 

fleets as part of a low carbon future. They 

needed someone to provide solutions to 

their vehicle charging needs.” 

With an increase in demand forecast, 

FOR:EV got itself into shape. “We 

restructured the business so it could do 

more, expanded our capability and 

developed a first-class management 

team. We set off on a really interesting 

scaling journey.” 

As part of this, a new chief executive 

was required, but the culture fit for this 

scaling business was crucial. The board 

quickly came round to the view that the 

best fit was to ask Steve to step in to the 

CEO’s role, and for a new chairman to be 

appointed. 

When looking at Steve’s recent career 

you can see the logic behind the 

decision. “My background is in 

placemaking through regeneration and 

investment projects, first with local 

authorities, working on a number of 

large-scale, complex infrastructure 

projects, then with Scottish Canals 

(previously known as British Waterways) 

where we transformed the waterways of 

the UK, and then more latterly with 

Scottish Enterprise, taking a more 

‘place-based’ economic development 

approach.” 

“I liked being in the heart of an 

infrastructure play that required a 

complex range of elements to come 

together. The chance to head up FOR:EV 

was a good fit with my skillset and 

interests. But more than that, there was 

this feeling that in the middle of a climate 

emergency, here was a business in the 

right place, at the right time, to make a 

difference. I was driven by the purpose 

behind FOR:EV - to help Scotland switch 

to a net-zero future more quickly.” 

So, has he been a long-standing 

advocate for action on the environment? 

“Very much so. The issue of climate 

change and the environment have 

always been important for me, but it 

came into particular focus with my role at 

Scottish Canals and British Waterways.” 

“The bets have been placed; 

vehicle manufacturers and 

governments have backed 

electric vehicles (EVs) as a key 

part of our response to climate 

change, and they are the 

future now...” 

The challenge of running the nation’s 

canal network was an acute one in the 

face of a changing climate, he recalls. 

“The impact was evident every day on 

the canal within the UK’s waterways. The 

issue of climate change and the 

consequences for infrastructure and the 

surrounding environments was a clear 

focus for me. Transitioning the canal 

network from a heritage environment to 

a sustainable resource for the future 

meant investment and modernisation, 

and there is a relevance of that skillset as 

we create an EV infrastructure for the 

future. It’s that changing of patterns of 

behaviour and systemic thinking that’s 

needed as we transition our motoring to 

electric.” 

“At FOR:EV the job is to change public 

behaviour by offering solutions. It’s easy 

to say our job is to get the charging 

infrastructure right, but it’s important 

that first we have a civic narrative about 

the transition, removing apprehension 

and make the public realise that there’s 

no barriers.” 

Steve’s the first to admit, though, that 

there are plenty of barriers to entry. He 

ticks them off: “The cost of vehicles, their 

availability, concerns over EV range, the 

gaps in the EV charging infrastructure, 

challenges of charging at home… they 

are all there to be overcome. We know 

the challenges the sector faces.” 

The good news is progress is being 

made on all fronts. “The cost of vehicles 

is falling every year, more affordable 

models are coming online, and range 

anxiety is being eased as new vehicles 

post 250-300+ mile ranges. There is a 

huge amount of work going in to make 

transitioning to electric easier. We’ve a 

long way to go on a number of fronts 

before buying an EV feels as natural as 

buying a petrol or diesel vehicle, but 

there’s exciting progress being made.” 

It is equally important that “the 

charging network develops at the same 

pace as these other areas. We know the 

infrastructure isn’t where it needs to be 

yet – but it will be.” 

Continued on page 20 


DIRECTION | THE LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW 


“What works in Glasgow and 

Edinburgh won’t work in the 

Highlands and Islands ... it’s 

vital that those rural areas 

don’t get left behind...” 

Continued from page 19 

His message to businesses is that even 

if there are still obstacles, “don’t kick this 

into the long grass to deal with later. It 

needs to be addressed now.” 

How can FOR:EV help? “Our business 

model has two parts to it. First, we invest 

in charging points at locations that will 

serve the public well, teaming up with 

reliable partners in whom the public has 

confidence. We pinpoint accessible sites 

with people in mind, that are safe and 

easy to get to - because we believe this 

process is more about the people than 

technology. The technology we use is the 

best in kind, with outstanding reliability. 

Our charging points work off contactless 

payment, so you don’t have to access 

different apps depending on which 

charging site you are at, which is a 

common complaint EV owners have. We 

back all this up with great customer 

service.” 

“Second, we offer ‘Charging as a 

Service’ – providing a full turnkey offer to 

businesses who need charging on site or 

at specified locations. This is a fully 

funded solution partnered with a blue 

chip asset finance partner. We design the 

solution for your fleet, finding the best 

location for your charging points. It 

might be at your offices but if you don’t 

have a depot or base, it could be 

elsewhere. What’s important is how your 

drivers will use it. 

“We offer a fully designed service 

which will give you a roadmap to 

transition your fleet to EV with a full 

turnkey solution that will offer bottom 

line savings on fuel costs and increased 

productivity.” 

FOR:EV is targeting inter-model hubs 

with infrastructure that will serve both 

customers and the businesses that 

operate them, “where cars meet other 

services – at retail outlets, ferry ports, 

train stations, for example. The important 

thing is to de-stress the EV process – put 

charging points in accessible areas and 

create a comprehensive network of 

points across Scotland that eliminates 

range anxiety. Access needs to be 

consistent.” 

FOR:EV plan to have 3,000 charging 

points over the next 12-18 months, “with 

lots more in pipeline. We’re linking up 

with more businesses and organisations 

all the time. Starbucks is a good example 

of one of our partners; a customer-facing 

operation that wants to be associated 

with the positive messages around low 

carbon initiatives and climate change 

action.” 

On the subject of consistency, how did 

Steve view Rishi Sunak’s decision in 

autumn 2023 to push back the end of 

new petrol and diesel vehicle sales to 

2035? “We were thrown by it,” he admits, 

“and let’s put it this way, I wish he hadn’t 

said that. It caused confusion and made 

some people question the long-term 

future of EVs. There is already enough 

public confusion over what they have to 

do, and by when, and we didn’t need 

anyone exacerbating the problem.” 

“But what was crucial was the Prime 

Minister kept the rule that 80 per cent of 

new car sales, by 2030, had to be EVs. 

It’s this, in particular, that will drive 

innovation and there was no change in 

direction on it, so it’s still the same road 

ahead. It caused a wobble, but we can all 

live with it.” 

It’s not the first bump in the road the 

EV sector has experienced, and you feel 

it won’t be the last either. 

“In Scotland, the EV industry was 


kickstarted by the establishment of 

ChargePlace Scotland. This invested £10s 

of millions in EV charging points and got 

the sector going. This along with other 

government incentives created many 

reasons for the public and businesses to 

consider moving towards electric 

vehicles. 

“These policies however, did have 

some degree of downside. For example, 

local authorities providing free energy to 

EV drivers meant the business model 

was unsustainable for them and crucially 

a disincentive for the private sector to 

invest in a commercial way.” 

This situation is about to change, 

however. “Local authorities are going to 

market to find partners with whom they 

can develop an EV charging network for 

the future. It’s this private sector 

involvement that will upgrade existing 

charging points and increase the number 

and quality in public use.” 

While we can be confident that the 

most populated areas of Scotland will 

attract private and public investment, we 

need to ensure that all areas and 

communities will be served by a suitable 

EV charging network. 

“EV charging has to be for everyone,” 

Steve insists. “There must be equity in 

the network - a fairness for all. It’s not 

right to only invest in the prosperous 

areas of Scotland or just the central belt; 

we need investment in all areas from all 

social economic backgrounds.” 

It also needs to accommodate urban 

dwellers who don’t have driveways to 

charge at home, and those who live in 

flats. “That’s a particular problem for 

Scotland as we have a bigger percentage 

of the population living in flats and 

apartments than the rest of the UK. EV 

charging has to be built into new 

developments, and retro-fitted into 

existing blocks.” 

“We need accessibility fairness; 

investors will need to understand that 

the return may be slower from some 

areas, but it will be there.” 

Steve can see the progress being 

made on this issue and is confident the 

next few years will see the infrastructure 

map better balanced. But that’s not to 

say he doesn’t have real concerns over 

one major issue: the electric grid – or 

rather, its capacity. 

“When it comes to EV charging points, 

we are a long way from the numbers we 

need, but there are a lot of new projects 

coming online so that should help ease 

concerns. Where the challenge will be in 

the future is in accessing sufficient grid 

capacity to cope with increased demand. 

The number of projects waiting to come 

online is huge, but demand for grid 

capacity cannot be met at present in all 

locations. This is a significant challenge 

faced across UK as a whole.” 

While all this suggests Steve would like 

some kind of over-arching control of 

Scotland’s EV charging infrastructure, 

he’s actually wary of that. “It’s important 

that we don’t have a top-down, one-sizefits-all 

policy on its development. 

Everyone’s needs are different. Some 

people will need access every day to a 

personal charger, as you’d have on your 

drive, but others will only need access to 

one for occasional charging. Some will 

need access to slow chargers, where you 

charge your car overnight, using cheaper 

off-peak electricity. Others will need 

access to fast chargers, which are more 

expensive but can charge your vehicle up 

to 80 per cent in 20-30 minutes. It will 

be a blend of options and a blend of tech 

too.” 

But there is a better way to run this 

than top-down control. “Government is 

there to stimulate and regulate, not 

control every facet. Local authorities are 

in the best place to know what’s needed 

and where local demand is. They know 

their communities and can create 

partnerships that work.” 

Another example of how the ‘one size’ 

policy fails is when you consider the very 

different communities that live in 

Scotland. “What works in Glasgow and 

Edinburgh won’t work in the Highlands 

and Islands,” says Steve. “It’s vital that 

those rural areas don’t get left behind. 

“One of the big issues for the 

Highlands is that there are many 

communities who aren’t even connected 

to the electricity grid, so you have to start 

with generating electricity before you 

can start installing recharging points. 

FOR:EV is in talks with a number of 

renewable power generators - wind, 

solar, tidal – to generate electricity for 

local EV use, linked to battery storage. 

We’ve got a lot of businesses really 

interested in working with us to develop 

the EV charging infrastructure the 

Highlands and Islands need.” 

Overall, it’s an exciting time to be 

involved in what is a dynamic and 

growing sector. “I can see nothing but 

fantastic growth for FOR:EV over the 

next 5-10 years. We are well positioned 

to be a leading player in Scotland, across 

the UK and into Europe too, and have 

exciting plans for 2024. We are looking 

at collaborating with Network Rail 

(Scotland), and aim to develop stronger 

links with the maritime economy, at our 

ports and ferry hubs, etc. 

“2024 will be about demonstrating the 

real ability and quality of the EV charging 

network.” 

And his message to business leaders 

thinking about switching their fleet - or 

their personal transport – to electric? “I 

go back to that earlier message, don’t 

put it off. This will only become more 

complex as time goes on, you need to 

get involved now. Talk to FOR:EV; we can 

create a package based around your 

needs that works.” 

An artists’ impression of a FOR:EV recharging station 


DIRECTION | POLICY VOICE 


Tell government what you think 

Policy Voice is a monthly survey of IoD members who share their views on current 

business issues, providing statistical evidence and anecdotal detail on the issues 

that matter to business. Members receive monthly invitations to participate in each 

survey. 

Recent success stories 

n We pushed government to reconsider 

the Retained EU Law Bill based on 

member concerns. They are now 

amending the bill to provide business 

with better certainty. 

n 88% of IoD members favoured the 

development of a meaningful industrial 

strategy, so we called for an industrial 

strategy focused on innovation 

n Around half of business leaders believe 

that ESG is important. 42% stated the E, 

S and G were equally important, while 

26% emphasised governance above all. 

n We responded to the House of 

Commons Business and Trade 

Committee call for evidence on exportled 

growth, citing member data 

n 46% of business leaders told us skills 

and labour shortages are negatively 

impacting their business. 

n Our latest data on confidence in UK 

economy shows that 22% of directors 

are optimistic versus 55% pessimistic. 

SHARE YOUR VIEWS 

When do you think inflation will peak? 

Do you measure your carbon footprint? 

How ambitious is your organisation for 

growth? Policy Voice is a key member 

benefit and we’d like to hear from you. 

Click 

here 

Policy Voice: Outlook for 2024 

When asked through Policy Voice at the 

back end of 2023, IoD members 

highlighted certain global risks that they 

felt were the most concerning for their 

business as they looked towards 2024. 

The most common comment centred 

around AI and technological 

advancements, reinforcing the sentiment 

that many members view this as an 

opportunity, rather than a risk. 

“There are significant parts of the work 

that we do for our clients that could 

potentially be fulfilled by AI” said one 

respondent, but another said their 

concern around AI was “not so much the 

misuse of AI, but more failing to grasp 

the opportunities its presents.” 

Many members also noted that current 

domestic political instability, potentially 

exacerbated by the upcoming election, 

was a concern for them. 

“Far more than the global events, the 

biggest risk is continued political 

instability and chaos in the UK. We just 

need a stable, competent, professional 

and ethical UK government, which will 

then stabilise the UK economy. Top 

priority. Anything global is a long way 

behind this national problem.” 

Another said: “The instability and lack 

of focus in the UK government is a 

concern.” 

Members also mentioned the climate 

change, and the strain turbulent weather 

is having on their businesses, as being a 

worry. “Governments around the world 

seem to be getting cold feet about the 

actions required to avoid the impending 

climate meltdown.” A respondent from 

Scotland’s water supply, sewerage and 

waste management sector said: 

“Extreme weather is putting enormous 

strain our business.” 

Skills shortages were also highlighted 

as a concern for business leaders. “Skilled 

resources are becoming scarcer to find, 

so internal development and apprentices 

are the main way we are addressing this 

issue. The short term (



SQA signs Articulation Agreement 

with the Open University 

The Scottish Qualifications Authority 

(SQA) has signed an agreement with the 

Open University (OU) which will allow 

learners from across the country who 

have completed its Higher National 

Certificates, and Diplomas – including 

SQA’s next generation of Higher National 

qualifications (NextGen:HN) – to 

progress on to OU degree programmes 

at advanced levels. 

The Articulation Agreement between 

SQA and the OU means learners who 

achieve a SQA Higher National Certificate 

or Diploma will be able to progress, or 

articulate, on to year two or year three of 

a related BA/BSc Open Degree with 

Honours at the OU. Learners holding a 

SQA HNC who have amassed 120 credits 

on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications 

Framework (SCQF) will now be able to 

transfer those credits and gain 

exemption for modules at OU Level 1, 

granting them access to year two of an 

OU degree programme. 

Learners who hold a SQA HND and 

amassed 240 credits, will be able to gain 

exemption for modules at OU Level 1, and 

OU Level 2, gaining access to year three. 

The next generation of 

Higher National qualifications 

SQA’s existing portfolio of Higher 

National Certificates, and Diplomas have 

always provided learners with 

qualifications that meet the needs of 

employers, and this agreement enables 

Steven McGeever, Senior Partnerships 

Manager at Open University in Scotland 

and Dr Gill Stewart, SQA Director of 

Qualifications 

those individuals to continue their 

learning journey with the OU. 

SQA’s NextGen:HN are the next 

iteration of Higher National qualifications 

and have been designed to give learners 

the skills they need to thrive in the 

modern workplace. 

The new certificates and diplomas 

support lifelong learning by promoting 

the acquisition of meta-skills – the skills 

necessary to learn and apply new 

knowledge quickly – while also 

developing critical industry, and subject 

specific skills. Currently there are 20 new 

NextGen:HN courses being piloted in 

colleges and training providers across 

Scotland, covering subjects such as 

Accounting, Networking and Cloud 

Infrastructure, Social Services, and 

Software Development. 

Flexible approach to learning 

The OU is the largest academic 

institution in the UK and a world leader 

in flexible distance learning. Since it 

began in 1969, the OU has taught more 

than 2.2 million students worldwide and 

currently has over 205,000 students, 

including more than 21,000 in Scotland. 

Speaking about the agreement, Dr Gill 

“This agreement demonstrates 

the value of our Higher National 

qualifications, including the 

NextGen:HN, and recognises the 

skills, knowledge, and 

experience that the learners 

who hold them have achieved...” 

Stewart, SQA Director of Qualifications 

Development, said: “The Open University 

is renowned for its flexible approach to 

learning, and through its acceptance of 

the SQA HNC/D as an entry qualification 

into years two and three of its aligned 

degree programmes, we will hope to see 

wider access to higher education in a 

manner that suits learners’ needs, 

improves attainment, and ultimately 

helps learners achieve their career goals.” 

“This agreement demonstrates the 

value of our Higher National qualifications, 

including the NextGen:HN, and 

recognises the skills, knowledge, and 

experience that the learners who hold 

them have achieved over the course of 

their studies. We will work closely with 

our centres – schools, colleges, and 

training providers – to help them and 

their learners make the most of 

opportunities available to them through 

this partnership.” 

Steven McGeever, Senior Partnerships 

Manager at the Open University in 

Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be 

entering into this agreement with SQA, 

which highlights a mutual commitment 

to widening access to degree level study 

and providing pathways for students 

who want to build on previous study at 

college.” 

“At the Open University we recognise 

the value of SQA HNC and HND 

qualifications, which are designed to 

meet the needs of industry and prepare 

students for further study, and this 

agreement demonstrates how students 

who’ve completed an HNC or HND can 

use the credit they’ve achieved towards 

our BA/BSc (Honours) Open degree and 

study by flexible distance learning in a 

way that suits them.” 

To find out more about SQA’s next 

generation of Higher National 

qualifications, visit 

www.sqa.org.uk/nextgen. 


DIRECTION | TECH MATTERS 


Artificial intelligence (AI) will soon be like turning on a tap or plugging into 

electric systems and, if we get it right, simultaneously contributing towards 

climate-related sustainable solutions, says digital commentator Bill Magee. 

Here he offers some more glimpses into our digital future 

AI: a gift for business, 

or a gathering storm? 

Emerging tech led by AI has certainly 

got our collective digital antennae 

twitching. We’re all operating in an era 

of hyperconnectivity and with it a 

growing threat landscape. Who can 

blame a busy company for having a 

profound feeling of it all being more 

than a little bit over their commercial 

heads? 

Smart technologies appear to spring 

up at us virtually on a daily basis and can 

have a profound effect on an 

organisation and an entire supply chain 

often crossing international borders. Also, 

never forget the customer, down the 

road or at the other side of the world. 

Digital transformation has been 

described as “evolutionary”, with the 

Cloud representing the digital glue 

holding everything together. Yet 

emerging technologies appear to 

develop at a rate of knots. Presenting a 

new set of commercial challenges, 

especially when it comes to an 

organisation’s precious data and building 

cross-functional AI teams. 

Forbes reports that AI promises to be 

more transformative than any other 

technology in recent memory, but 

cautions that organisations seeking to 

embrace the many benefits of AI must 

ensure they also make progress towards 

their sustainability goals. 

AI and sustainable outcomes can be 

viewed as a “symbiotic relationship”. A 

key hurdle is anticipated environmental 

costs of AI due to energy and data 

centre resources required to run larger 

computing models. 

It represents a serious issue but “when 

approached mindfully, AI infrastructure 

development and adoption...can provide 

a path to more sustainable operations,” 

says Forbes. Along with harnessing the 

tremendous potential for AI to support 

climate-related solutions. 

AI integration is no longer optional but 

a necessity and understanding its 

implications will be key over the next 2-3 

years, says Alasdair Hendry, managing 

director at Exception. The digital 

transformation experts have produced a 

timely White Paper aimed at 

demystifying AI positioning it as a 

strategic utility rather than a mere trend. 

Insights from experts involve AI, cloud 

and data specialists; practical guidance is 

based on overcoming technical 

challenges in AI implementation; and of 

strategic importance is explaining how AI 

fuels innovation and sustainable growth. 

The White Paper supports an 

“Those equipping themselves 

with the latest in tech 

expertise spend around 18 per 

cent less in day-to-day 

operations, managing costs 

without sacrificing long-term 

IT strategy goals...” 

informative AI Tool Kit aimed at helping 

Chief Information Officers (CIOs) unravel 

the complexities of AI implementation at 

enterprise level. 

Any ambitious organisation should dip 

into the paper that provides invaluable 

insights from Exception’s team of AI, 

cloud and data specialists, which includes 

director Scott McGlinchey, an IoD Fellow. 

Everyone needs strategic guidance to 

help navigate AI implementation “myths 

and realities” addressing technical 

challenges. In an era where it has 

become strategically vital for driving 

innovation and sustainable growth. 

MIT points out that technology should 

be all about “solving big thorny 

problems” but the question on AI is 

where to focus our efforts, particularly as 

generative AI will probably “bring about 

the biggest computing revolution ever 

experienced... since we all went from 

typing commands to tapping on icons.” 

Those aren’t my words; they’re tech 

multi-billionaire Bill Gates’s. 

Yet, latest surveys reveal UK-wide 

SMEs have the lowest levels of AI 

adoption and trust compared to the US 

and throughout Europe; IT professionals 

are anxious about genAI’s power; and 

employees, although largely willing to 

work alongside AI, want greater 

organisational transparency. 

A ZDNet report warns companies, of 

all sizes, to beware allowing such 

data-led initiatives to “sprout up without 

control”, giving AI a free pass. A study by 

takepayments of over 1,000 UK-based 

SMEs “across dozens of industries” 

reveals AI as their chief worry. 

Significantly, the same report a year ago 

didn’t mention AI. 

Yet far too many organisations continue 

stubbornly to go it alone, possibly as a 

reaction against the over-hyping of AI 

products. Back to Alasdair Hendry who 

points to a “paradoxical reality” hiding 

beyond the hype, in that it’s far from 

straightforward to implement AI in an 



TECH MATTERS | DIRECTION 

established, governance-led enterprise IT 

environment. 

The future of AI must be all about 

separating myth from reality. Integrating 

AI into your digital roadmap is not just 

about jumping on the bandwagon, it’s 

now an organisational imperative. Failure 

to be part of AI transformation can result 

in competitive disadvantage, reduced 

operational efficiency and missed 

opportunities for innovation. 

Which? warns many AI-associated 

offerings lack effective cyber defences, 

making them ripe for exploitation by a new 

wave of convincing scams, potentially 

turning AI back on itself with an 

organisation caught smack in the middle. 

Here, the Chief Information Officer 

(CIO) has the go-to thought leadership 

role integral to ensuring a safe and secure 

digital transition, and the growing call for 

inspirational leadership for organisations 

eager to avoid being left digitally 

rudderless, was highlighted at a Glasgow 

Science Centre-staged Can Do Summit. 

NASDAQ-listed IT benchmarking 

researchers the Hackett Group highlights 

those equipping themselves with the 

latest in tech expertise spend around 18 

“The future of AI must be all 

about separating myth from 

reality. Integrating AI into your 

digital roadmap is not just 

about jumping on the 

bandwagon, it’s now an 

organisational imperative...” 

per cent less in day-to-day operations, 

managing costs without sacrificing 

long-term IT strategy goals. 

Some outfits can unwittingly fall short. 

This can range from a 50-person legal 

firm to 300-employee manufacturing 

concern, rapidly discovering they’re being 

digitally overtaken and left behind by 

competitors. 

At Scotland’s annual Data Summit 

staged by the Data Lab in Edinburgh, 

keynote Carissa Veliz, author of an 

Economist Book of the Year Privacy and 

Power - why and how you should take 

back control of your data, stresses how 

innovation is not the opposite of 

regulation “but inextricably linked to it.” 

An associate professor of philosophy 

and ethics at University of Oxford, 

Carissa’s book has been described as 

“essential reading for those of us who 

click ‘agree’ ten times a day.” 

She claims ChatGPT4 along with 

numerous other allied systems “are not 

built to be truth-tracking and are not 

based on empirical evidence or logic.” 

Rather: “they make statistical guesses 

that are often wrong.” 

Large language models do not inform 

users of this but present what are 

incorrect guesses with the same 

confidence as they present facts. 

“Whatever you ask they will come up 

with a convincing response, it is never ‘I 

don’t know’ even though it should be. 

She warns: “Query ChatGPT about 

current events it will remind you it only 

has information up to September 2021 

plus it cannot browse the internet.” For 

almost any other kind of question, it will 

venture a response “often mixing facts 

with confabulations.” 

So, the worry is not to get carried away. 

Emerging tech is a lot to take on board 

and it is claimed the board of every 

company should have an ‘AI ethicist’ to 

handle not only what represents an 

opportunity but also the risk involved. 

Step up a sustainability-minded CIO? 

New ideas are 

taking flight in 

farming sector 

Europe’s pioneer in agricultural/ 

industrial drone technology, Hungary’s 

ABZ Innovation plans a commercial 

partnership with Scotland as it 

continues to challenge China’s global 

hegemony in the sector. 

ABZ provides cutting-edge 

technology aimed at reversing a 

UK-wide chronic farm labour shortage 

along with significantly boosting crops 

production and with it sustainability. 

A recent change-in-rules means 

farmers can now use drones to spray 

crops transforming how farms save 

time, money and resources to produce 

high-quality food. 

It has extra significance for a country 

like Scotland, where Stirling is twinned 

with the Hungarian capital’s town 

Obuda. 

Here, arable production includes 

significant numbers of cereal crops for 

both home and overseas markets. 

Unfortunately, great rural swathes 

including islands communities, suffer 

from inclement weather coming off the 

North Sea, making it inaccessible or 

difficult to crop spray. 

ABZ is the sole agri-drone company 

in Europe enabling farmers to gain 

from 50-and-90 per cent less water 

and chemicals while benefiting from a 

40 per cent increase in crop coverage, 

protection and production. 

Its spraying system’s pinpoint 

accuracy is within 1.5m, coupled with 

highly-optimised airflow from 

propellors that set its drones apart in 

the agri-business arena. 

An enhanced powertrain extends 

battery life to ensure lowest possible 

operating costs. Taking the drone 

concept a world away from a plaything 

toy or used in conflicts. 

Chief Executive Karoly Ludvigh says: 

“With the UK agricultural sector facing 

significant challenges our drone 

technology offers a practical solution, 

enhancing efficiency while adhering to 

the highest environmental standards.” 

ABZ drones are already employed by 

farmers in Estonia, Poland, Portugal, 

Greece, Slovakia, Finland, Cyprus, 

Bulgaria, Serbia, and North Macedonia, 

and more recently Ghana. Investors 

should take note... 


DIRECTION | MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS 


IoD membership and benefits 

We’re delighted that you have chosen the IoD to support you in 

your development as a director, and we hope you get real value 

from your membership. The IoD Scotland team is always looking 

to enhance your membership with exclusive discounts on 

products and services, helping make your role that little bit 

easier, kinder on the budget and – most importantly – more 

convenient. 

We have outlined some of the key benefits here: for a full 

summary and discount codes, contact patricia.huth@iod.com 

Hotels, dining and accommodation 

Unique offers and discounts for IoD members 

EDINBURGH 

The George 

The George, a Grade-II listed hotel, is 

complemented by elegant interiors, from 

the bedrooms to the grand King’s Hall. 

All with the very best of Edinburgh’s 

shopping, restaurants and nightlife on 

your doorstep. 

To take advantage of IoD membership 

special discounts, present your IoD 

membership card at check-in or when 

seated at one of the hotel’s food outlets. 

• Book ihg.com or see 

www.edinburgh.intercontinental.com 

Call 0131 240 7137, or email 

EdinburghTheGeorge Reservations 

@ihg.com 

Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel 

IoD members receive 15% discount on 

food, drinks and accommodation. 

There’s also a 15% discount on the 

Gym & Spa at the Charlotte Square Hotel. 

The George 

Quote IoD Scotland member when 

booking. 

Holiday Inn, Edinburgh 

Members receive 15% off best 

available rate. To book call 0131 314 7018 

or emailreservations@hi-edinburgh. 

co.uk, quoting IOD Scotland. 

Other offers: 

Malmaison Hotels – 20% off lunches 

and dinners in Edinburgh. 

Locke Apartments - 20% discount 

Cheval Collection- 12% discount 

Native ApartHotel - 15% discount.. 

Call 0207 313 6146 or email: 

clientenquiries@nativeplaces.com. 

Angels Share Hotel, Edinburgh – 15% 

discount. Quote GLC15. 

Eden Locke – 20% off designer 

apartment. Visit lockeliving.com and 

enter code “LOCKEDIN” for 20% off 

Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel 

Say hello to YOTEL 

IoD Scotland members are now eligible for the 

YOTEL Work Perk programme. 

This special offer gives you access to a host of great 

benefits, including 20% off retail rates and 

complimentary breakfast. 

To book at a YOTEL, the easiest method is by 

clicking on the below link and entering your dates/ 

hotel of choice: 

CLICK HERE 

YOTEL Glasgow 

Inset, VEGA , on the 

top floor of the 

YOTEL Glasgow 

Or you can enter your corporate ID straight into the 

Corporate/Promo code section of the website, at 

www.yotel.com 

Your Corporate ID is: INS002 

This rate can be shared at your discretion with 

members and company associates such as consultants, 

etc. 

You can cancel or amend reservations until 2pm on 

the day of arrival, giving you maximum flexibility for 

your travel needs. 

YOTEL Edinburgh 



MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS | DIRECTION 

Hotel membership offers 

voco Grand Central 

ABERDEEN 

Malmaison 

Up to 10% off accommodation and 

20% off food and beverages. See 

malmaison.com or call 01224 507097 

DUNDEE 

Malmaison 

Take your pick from 91 sumptuous 

rooms and suites spanning six fabulous 

floors. There’s so much to see and do in 

Dundee, and Malmaison is perfect place 

to stay in the City of Discovery. 

Up to 10% off accommodation 

bookings and 20% off food and 

beverages. More at malmaison.com or 

call 01382 339715. 

GLASGOW 

Kimpton Blythswood Square 

IoD members receive 15% off best 

available bed and breakfast rates. 

• See kimptonblythswoodsquare.com 

or call 0141 248 8888 

voco Grand Central 

Members receive a 15% discount on 

the best available rates for food, 

beverage and accommodation. 

• See grandcentral.vocohotels.com or 

call 0141 221 3388 

One Devonshire Gardens 

Members receive 10% off best 

available rate for accommodation when 

booked online. 

• Book via hotelduvin.com/locations/ 

glasgow or call 0330 016 0390 

Citizen M 

Enjoy best rates at time of booking 

and a welcome drink. 

• See citizenm.com/directors-scotland 

or call 0203 519 1111, quoting IoD offer. 

Malmaison 

10% off best available rates for IoD 

members. 

• See malmaison.com or call 0141 378 

0384 

Kimpton Blythswood Square 

“Just mention IoD when booking 

for confirm your exclusive 

discounts and offers” 

Members’ discounted 

consultancy support 

Where Now Consulting Ltd 

provides business advice and 

support to IoD members in Scotland. 

Where Now Consulting focuses 

on the development of business 

models for growth and would be 

delighted to support members in 

any of the following categories: 

Organic growth; In-organic growth; 

and Success Planning 

IoD Scotland offer 

Where Now Consulting Ltd will 

give members a complimentary one 

hour consultancy session to focus 

and develop key strategies for 

success with a further 10% discount 

on further support from Where Now 

Consulting, and a £35 discount on 

the Where Now Consulting Business 

Diagnostic Tool. 

OTHER BENEFITS: 

Member discounts on 

products and services 

The IoD has arranged special 

discounts on a host of products and 

services that are required by 

directors and business leaders, 

including: 

Professional Indemnity Insurance 

Office insurance 

Data risks insurance 

Car and van hire 

Personal private health insurance 

Home and contents insurance 

Private client insurance 

Directors’ Liability/Cyber risk 

CLICK here for more details 

10% off training and advice on imports and exports 

St Andrews Management Centre is 

offering a 10% discount on its export 

and import services to IoD members. 

St Andrews Management Centre 

can handle your import and export 

clearances for an affordable flat-fee, 

with no additional charges for 

multiple commodity codes, as well as 

offer advice on customs processes 

and controls. It also offers 

consultancy support to businesses 

looking to import or export, with 

training and workshops of key issues. 

For a full list of courses, see https:// 

stamc.co.uk/courses-tradenet/ 

The TradeNet International Trade 

Support is available at two levels, 

making it an affordable solution to 

meet your needs. 

Silver Service is for the ‘casual’ user 

and offers on call access to one of our 

International Trade Advisors for 

around 90 minutes per month for 

£250 pcm (+ VAT). 

The Gold Service is for those with 

more complex trading arrangements 

and provides around four hours 

support per month for £450 pcm 

(+VAT) 

WANT TO KNOW MORE? 

Contact St Andrews 

Management Centre, 

14 St Catherine Street, 

Cupar, Fife KY15 4HH 

E: tradenet@stamc.co.uk 

T: 03300 241316 


DIRECTION | IoD EVENTS 


Roundtable breakfast with Andrew Kerr OBE, 

Chief Executive at The City of Edinburgh Council 

Date: 5 February 

Time: 8.30am — 10am 

Venue: Edinburgh City Chambers 

Cost: Free 

Join IoD Scotland’s Edinburgh and 

Lothian’s branch as we meet with City of 

Edinburgh Council Chief Executive, 

Andrew Kerr OBE for a breakfast 

roundtable. 

Born in Falkirk, Andrew Kerr was 

appointed Chief Executive of City of 

Edinburgh Council in 2015 and has since 

led the council with a focus in recent years 

on resilience during a challenging period. 

We’ll hear from Andrew on his 

thoughts on Edinburgh’s business 

engagement with a Q&A roundtable 

breakfast. 

If you’d like to post a question in 

advance for Andrew, please email 

PR-Comms.Ambassador.Edinburgh@iod. 

com 

This event is for members only. 

Event Organiser: Patricia Huth 

0131 557 5488 


Roundtable lunch with 

Michelle Thomson MSP 

Winter Economic Update 

with the Bank of England 


Time: 12pm — 1pm 

Venue: Online 

On 5 February we will discuss the 

outcomes of the latest MPC report as it is 

released by the Bank of England. 

Keep up to date with the trends and 

analysis by listening to IoD’s quarterly 

economic updates with the Bank of 

England. 

This members-only event will be 

hosted by IoD Director for Policy and 

Governance, Dr Roger Barker, who will 

explore the latest UK economic outlook 

and what it means for directors and their 

businesses. He will be joined by Rob 

Elder from the Bank of England. 

This is an excellent opportunity for 

leaders to hear more about the UK and 

global economic outlook for 2023. This 

event will be run under Chatham House 

Rule. Joining instructions will be sent 

Friday 2nd February, when online 

registrations will close. 

Event Organiser: IoD events 

events@iod.com 



Venue: Glenbervie Golf Club 

Cost: 2 course meal £40 

3 course meal £50 

The IoD Central Scotland branch is 

delighted to invite you to an in-person 

roundtable lunch with Michelle Thomson 

MSP. 

Ms Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, is a 

member of the Scottish Parliament’s 

Finance Committee and its Education 

Committee. As such, she oversees the 

Scottish Budget and decisions on fiscal 

policy and devolved taxes as well as skills 

development. She is also a Convenor of 

several cross-party groups in the Scottish 

Parliament, including Women In 

Enterprise and St. Andrews Day. 

Before becoming an MSP, she was an 

MP for Edinburgh West, serving as the 

SNP Business, Innovation and Skills 

spokesperson in the House of Commons. 

Prior to her life in politics, she held 

senior roles delivering IT and business 

change at both Standard Life and RBS, 

and she has also founded and run her 

own small 

businesses, 

understanding first-hand the challenges 

that both corporate and small business 

leaders face. 

The focus of the discussion is likely to 

be on trading conditions, the economic 

outlook, and how government might 

assist. 

In addition to providing an excellent 

opportunity to engage with a prominent 

MSP, the lunch will also provide a timely 

opportunity to discuss with her the 

outcome of the Scottish Budget. 

The event is being held in the 

McCowan lounge at Glenbervie Golf 

Club, with lunch provided by Ciro’s 

restaurant – one of Falkirk’s most highly 

regarded restaurants. 

The ticket price is £40 which includes 

two courses (or you can choose to 

upgrade to three courses for £50), for 

members and non-members. Numbers 

are strictly limited, so book early to avoid 

disappointment. 

Event Organiser: Connor Osborne 

0131 557 5488 



IoD EVENTS | DIRECTION 

How to build resilience and overcome 

challenges – a workshop with 

Lee Spencer BEM (aka the Rowing Marine) 


Time: 10am — 2pm 

Venue: Maryculter House, Aberdeen 

Cost: Members - Free 

Join us in Aberdeen for this not-to-be 

missed workshop with Lee Spencer, best 

known as The Rowing Marine. 

This event is set to give our member 

directors the inspiration and motivation 

they’ll need to get through whatever 

2024 has to throw at us. 

This interactive workshop will build an 

understanding of the key principles and 

practical methods of overcoming 

challenges which can be used both 

personally and in the workplace. 

Lunch & refreshments will be provided. 

The event is free to IoD Members. 

About Lee Spencer 

Lee joined the Royal Marine 

Commandos in 1992. He completed 

operational tours of Northern Ireland 

and Iraq where he led a section in the 

first wave on the assault of the Al Faw 

peninsula. 

Lee then served as a troop Sergeant 

before qualifying for special duties and 

subsequently undertook three tours of 

Afghanistan. 

In January 2014, while helping 

motorists who had crashed into a 

motorway central reservation, Lee lost 

his right leg below the knee having been 

hit by debris from a further crash. 

Conscious throughout, Lee was able to 

utilise his military training to save his 

own life by instructing a passer-by to 

apply a tourniquet. Lee was awarded the 

High Chief Constables award for his 

selfless actions on the night. 

In 2015 as a crew member of 

Row2Recovery’s all amputee crew of 

four, Lee rowed across the Atlantic from 

La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua 

and into the Guinness world record 

books, as the first physically disabled 

crew of four to row any ocean. 

In January 2019, Lee set off from 

Portimao, Portugal to attempt rowing 

solo and unsupported from mainland 

Europe to mainland South America. 60 

days, 16 hours and 6 minutes later he 

rowed into Cayenne, French Guiana not 

only becoming the first physically 

disabled person to do so and completing 

the longest solo row of any disabled 

person, he beat the able bodied record 

by an astonishing 36 days. 

In December 2019 Lee was awarded 

the British Empire Medal for services to 

charity having raised over a quarter of a 

million pounds. 

A natural and engaging speaker, Lee’s 

incredible personal story of courage, 

determination leadership and 

overcoming adversity has captivated a 

range of audiences. 


0131 557 5488 


Lunch and a little light music 


Time: 12pm — 2:30pm 

Venue: The Royal Conservatoire of 

Scotland (RCS), 100 Renfrew Street, 

Glasgow G2 3DB 

Cost: Members £15 

Non Members £25 

Join us in this unique opportunity to 

have a light lunch with the Principal, 

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey to hear about 

the work of the RCS and the role of the 

arts in Scotland. We will then have the 

opportunity to listen to a wonderful 

afternoon performance by Catriona 

Morison and Malcolm Martineau in the 

Stevenson Hall at the RCS. 

Catriona Morison is a Scottish mezzosoprano 

and former alumni of the RCS. 

She became known to a wider audience 

when she won the Main and Shared 

Song prizes of the Internationally 

renowned BBC Cardiff Singer of the 

World Competition. 

Malcolm Martineau is regarded as one 

of the greatest accompanists of his 

generation. He is an Honorary Doctor 

and International Fellow of 

Accompaniment at the RCS. 

Numbers are limited to 20 so reserve 

your place quickly to avoid 

disappointment. 


0131 557 5488 

iod.scotland@iod.com 


DIRECTION | IoD EVENTS 


When to speak out on social issues 

and manage reputational risk 



Venue: Online 

Cost: Free to members 

This event will involve a panel discussion 

on when and how to speak out on social 

issues, some practical steps on the 

protocols that should be in place and the 

links to reputational risk if not handled 

correctly. 

We will be led by panellists Dawn 

Bryan and Sarah Black, who will explore 

the complexities of speaking out on 

topical issues, including the short and 

long-term implications for 

organisations. Learn insights, 

including the significance of 

clear organisational protocols 

outlining when, why, and how 

leaders should speak up. If 

you’ve ever felt uncertain about 

making statements on such 

issues, this event is for you. 

This will be followed by a moderated 

Q&A session to allow participants 

to raise questions in a safe 

environment. 

Dawn Bryan 

Dawn oversees The 

Kaleidoscope Group’s work 

with global clients, directs their 

team of multilingual, 

multinational consultants, and 

serves as principal leader on select client 

engagements. Before joining The 

Kaleidoscope Group in 2018, Dawn 

lived and worked for more than 

25 years in the Horn of Africa, 

Asia, and Europe. She 

combines over 30 years of 

cross-cultural experience, 

education, and expertise in 

effective global leadership 

practices, and a gift for listening 

to others to help organisations 

take practical steps toward 

continuous improvement as 

they navigate culturally diverse 

and complex environments. 

Sarah Black 

Sarah has more than 30 years 

of communications experience 

including as a Board director of a 

full-service multi-award-winning global 

PR and content agency, as a Chartered 

Institute of Public Relations Fellow and 

Accredited Practitioner. Her work 

developing and delivering campaigns 

addressing racism, peacebuilding and 

reconciliation, adoption, environmental 

protection and community relations . 


0131 557 5488 

iod.scotland@iod.com 

Graduate apprenticeship could be 

next step to developing your team 

Date: 12 March 

Time: 12pm — 1:30pm 

Cost: Free 

Venue: Online 

Learn more about a work-based learning 

scheme to support business leaders in 

up-skilling and re-skilling full-time staff. 

As higher education continues to 

evolve, and as work-based learning 

transitions from novelty to 

normality, business leaders will 

benefit from understanding their 

options and including them in their 

talent management strategy. 

Up-skilling, re-skilling and recruitment 

have become critical priorities for 

organisations across all sectors faced 

with mounting economic pressures and 

unprecedented change. One solution for 

directors is to embrace a work-based 

learning scheme called The Graduate 

Apprenticeship (aka Degree 

Apprenticeship), designed for full-time 

workers who wish to pursue a four-year 

honours degree in Business 

Management. This online session will 

provide a comprehensive overview of the 

scheme delivered by Heriot-Watt 

University’s Edinburgh Business School. 

It will feature recent graduates and their 

workplace mentors, representing SMEs 

and large organisations who are eager to 

share their experiences. 

David Steinberg 

This session will be led by David 

Steinberg, Associate Professor, 

Edinburgh Business School, 

Heriot-Watt University. 

During his 39-year career, Dr. 

David Steinberg has built highperformance 

teams and directed 

sales operations and strategic 

account management processes in 

extremely fast-paced work environments 

and competitive markets involving 

multi-million-dollar contracts. 

He was a tutor for IoD Scotland’s 

Professional Development Series, for 

which he delivered his highly acclaimed 

masterclass: Mastering the Art of 

Strategic Questioning. 


0131 557 5488 


Building your 

personal brand 

Date: 15 April 

Time: 12:30pm — 1:30pm 

Venue: Online 

Cost: Free 

Most employees don’t have to think 

about their personal brand, but directors 

are the face of the company. 

Personal branding is critical to lead 

generation. Networking. Relationships. 

Recruitment. But it’s about more than 

that. Personal branding is about who you 

are and what you stand for. 

In this webinar you will receive an 

introduction to personal branding with 

Ryan O’Keeffe, personal branding expert 

and co-founder of Jago Personal Brand 

agency. He will speak about building 

your own personal brand, master and 

scale your reputation, develop your 

leadership and tell your story. 

There will be a Q&A session at the end. 

Ryan O’Keeffe 

Ryan is a champion for transformation, 

a people promoter, an emotional 

intelligence coach and business leader. 


0131 557 5488 




IoD EVENTS | DIRECTION 

Introduction to IoD’s 

Certificate in Company 

Direction Programme 

Embrace excellence: A captivating members’ 

evening at Rusacks in St. Andrews 

Date: 7 March, 6 June & 5 September 

Time: 5:30pm — 9pm 

Venue: Rusacks St. Andrews 

Cost: Free to members 

IoD Fife & Tayside has organised a series 

of informal meet-ups for membersin one 

of the region’s finest hotels – Rusacks in 

St Andrews. 

It’s a great opportunity for informal 

networking in sumptuous surroundings 

while you take in the breathtaking 

beauty of St Andrews. 

During the event, tantalise your taste 

buds with a selection of delectable 

snacks provided by the venue. 

Additionally, members will have the 

opportunity to purchase their preferred 

drinks, allowing you to personalise your 

beverage choices throughout the 

evening. 


0131 557 5488 


The Director’s Quarterly Update 

The session will be led by: 


Time: 9am — 10:15am 

Venue: Online 

Have you been considering how you 

can enhance your impact and 

performance as a director? Do you 

want to gain the latest tools and 

techniques from expert practitioners 

who have a wealth of experience in 

board rooms across the globe? 

If you answered “yes” then this may 

be the most useful session you take 

this year as you find out more on the 

IoD’s ‘gold standard’ director 

qualification, the Certificate in Company 

Direction. 

This event will give you the chance to 

get a feel for how IoD’s director 

training is delivered and kickstart your 

professional development journey at 

this free information session. 

The session will be interactive 

featuring a Q&A with the course leader 

and Chartered Director and will also 

include a teaser activity from one of the 

Certificate in Company Direction 

modules. 



Date: 16 April 


Venue: Online 

Cost: Free 

It can be hard to make the right 

decisions for your organisation when the 

economic and regulatory outlook is so 

unpredictable. This is where the IoD 

Director’s Quarterly Update comes into 

play. Join us on 16 April to get the inside 

track on the economy and key 

developments in regulation and the 

business environment, as well as valuable 

insights on the state of the UK economy 

and how it could impact your business . 

This event is exclusive to IoD members. 

Alex Hall-Chen, IoD 

Alex Hall-Chen is a Senior Policy 

Advisor at the IoD. She is a specialist in 

employment, skills, and sustainability 

policy. She previously worked in 

education research and as a Policy 

Advisor at the Confederation of British 

Industry. 

Dr Roger Barker, IoD 

Roger has been the IoD’s Director of 

Policy and Corporate Governance since 

September 2020. He also served as 

Director of Corporate Governance and 

Professional Standards at the IoD from 

2008-2016. He is also the author of 

numerous books and articles on 

corporate governance and board 

effectiveness. 

Emma Rowland, IoD 

Emma is a Policy Advisor at the IoD 

specialising in international trade and EU 

affairs. She also runs the IoD’s policy 

market research activities. 



Maximise your 

membership 



Venue: Online 

Are you a member who gets the most 

out of membership? Are you keen to 

learn more about the IoD? 

We want you to get maximum value 

from your membership, so please join 

us for this virtual lunch time event as 

we explore the full range of benefits 

that come as part of your membership 

– including some you might not be 

aware of! 

Hear from our team of experts as we 

raise awareness of the IoD, the 

membership offering and the benefits 

of being part of our many communities 

of directors and senior business leaders 

across the UK and beyond. Hear how 

we support, represent, and set 

standards for business leaders. 




DIRECTION | DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT 


Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction 

Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction 

Date: 13- 18 October 2024 

Venue: Norton House Hotel, Edinburgh 

Member Rate £9,955 + Vat 

Non-Member rate £12,995 + Vat 

The IoD’s Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction 

five-day intensive residential course is set at Norton House 

Hotel in Edinburgh. This intensive residential course for 

experienced directors is designed to fit around your 

schedule, enabling you to be more effective in your director 

role in just five-and-a-half days. 

Why attend? 

Achieve the IoD Certificate in Company Direction in a 

flexible way and without taking focus away from your 

professional life 

Who will benefit? 

Any busy director who simply cannot take too much time 

away from the demands of their business and who is 

looking for a fast -track method of achieving the certificate 

in company direction 

What’s involved? 

Using a practical approach, each of the four Certificate in 

Company Direction modules will equip you with the 

knowledge and skills needed for effective performance, 

covering the key areas of governance, leadership, finance 

and strategy. You will explore different business aspects 

first-hand by meeting course leaders and delegates from a 

mix of sectors and hear different perspectives, helping to 

broaden your understanding of your role. 

Practical learning enhanced by real-life scenarios and peer 

collaboration will provide you with the essential knowledge 

and skills for immediate application and maximum impact. 

As this course is condensed into five days, all parts of the 

course are mandatory. 

“My experience of the Accelerated Certificate 

programme was probably the best learning 

week of my career so far, so clearly it comes 

very highly recommended.” 

Bernard Grenville-Jones CDir, 

MD, Activate Learning 



DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT | DIRECTION 

In-person IoD Scotland Courses 2024 

Role of the Director 

and the Board 

Date: 10 & 11 June 

Venue: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, 

Edinburgh 

Cost: Member Rate: £2,795 + VAT 

Non-Member Rate: £3,295 + VAT 

This course provides an introduction to a 

director’s duties and legal responsibilities 

and the board’s role in corporate 

governance and risk management. You’ll 

leave with confidence to tackle 

boardroom challenges, equipped to take 

your career to the next level. 

What delegates said... 

“This module really articulated the 

responsibilities of directors, especially 

from a legal point of view. I doubt most 

directors are actually aware of what they 

are liable for, and I believe there should 

be some sort of mandatory training for 

directors such as this when they join a 

board.” 

Paul Bolton, CDir, ONECPD 

Click the target for more 

information and to book 

Finance for Non-Finance 

Directors 

Date: 22-24 April 


Edinburgh 

Cost: Member Rate: £2,995 + VAT 

Non-Member Rate: £3,595 + VAT 

This course has been designed to 

demystify the world of finance for 

non-finance directors and senior 

managers. It will give you an 

understanding of key financial concepts 

and terminology. You will leave with the 

skills and knowledge needed to evaluate 

business plans, question financial 

information and contribute more 

effectively to boardroom decisionmaking. 


“This is an excellent course for someone 

venturing into finance for the first time. It 

was extremely useful and well presented 

throughout.” 

Ian McNaught, Trinity House 



Strategy for Directors 

Date: 21-23 October 


Edinburgh 

Cost: Member Rate: £2,995 + Vat 

Non Member Rate: £3,595 + Vat 

This course will enable you to develop 

robust strategic planning processes for 

your organisation.By providing 

frameworks, tools and the opportunity to 

apply them, our course leaders will work 

with you to develop both understanding 

and skills helping you to gain the 

confidence to grow yourself and 

future-proof your business. 


“ Exceptional teacher – extremely 

knowledgeable and able to dig deeper 

on the subject with considerable 

experience and well read theory and 

practice together.” 

Paul Burke, MoD 



Leadership for Directors 

Date: 2 & 3 December 


Edinburgh 

Member Rate: £2,795 + VAT 

Non Member Rate: £3,295 + VAT 

This course introduces a personalised 

approach to leadership, helping you to 

understand and develop your own 

self-awareness and emotional 

intelligence. You will learn different 

leadership and decision making 

techniques, determine how to build and 

sustain high-performing teams, and 

evaluate how these tools can be applied 

to your own organisation to contribute to 

its increased success. 


“This course provided a great 

opportunity for discussion and sharing 

experience amongst delegates with a 

wide range of experience and role in 

various sections.” 

Amanda Stewart, Policing Board 



Role of the Non-Executive 

Date: 28 November 

Venue: Maryculter House, Aberdeenshire 

Cost: Member Rate: £1,295 + Vat 

Non-Member Rate: £1,545 + Vat 

This one-day course is designed to arm 

you with practical strategies to build your 

network, secure an appointment and 

add value in the boardroom. Gain 

practical advice from experienced 

non-executive directors and understand 

the critical requirements of the role 

across multiple sectors, including private 

companies and third-sector 

organisations. 


“The IoD’s approach to director 

development is practical and rooted in 

real-world business. We look at case 

studies and take a ‘real play’ rather than 

‘role play’ approach.” 

Simon Haslam, IoD course leader and 

strategy consultant

IoD Scotland January 2024

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