Speakers Archives - St Andrews Business Club

2021 AGM – Guest Speaker Jamie Andrew

3rd June 2021 Yvonne McAulay

Remaining online for the Club’s 2021 AGM, the conference celebrated this season’s committee and members for hosting a share of memorable virtual events throughout these exceptional times.

Immediate Past President Marie Paterson acknowledged the resilience and dedication of the club’s members in continuing to focus on business development despite the difficult challenges posed the past year. Despite membership dropping from its all-time high of 130, approximately being cut in half as a result of the pandemic, the organisation’s bank balance is in good shape as the club looks to start the new season with face to face meetings.

Marie praised the outgoing Committee for creating engaging and productive zoom sessions combining the likes of food, wine, networking and education. Events covered a range of pressing topics including ‘leading change; podcasting; embracing diversity; and the impact of Brexit.’ Similarly, the club’s first partnering with the Home Start St Andrews charity at Christmas proves a new annual means of support to the community.

2021-2022 Committee

The 2021-2022 elected committee are:

65th President Christopher Trotter
Vice President – Heather Stuart
Secretary – Emma-Jane Kerr
Treasurer – Alasdair Kyle
Immediate Past President – Marie Paterson
Committee members – Reseda Muir, Edward Obi, Andrew Stewart.

Marie gave great acknowledgement to secretary Emma-Jane Kerr for her major role in improving the club’s operation. She also thanked Immediate Past President Caroline and past Treasurer Michael for their longtime service as they stood down from their respective positions. Similarly, Marie thanked her Vice President Reseda and the rest of the committee who are continuing their roles in the upcoming season. Last but not least she thanked Marketing-communications interns Sanaa and Stanley for all they have done in promoting the club the past two years. Stating, “I am especially delighted to be handing over to a really strong group of office bearers who I know will see us through the next year, whatever life throws at us.”

Lastly, Marie enthusiastically introduced the newly elected committee before ‘passing the medal’ on to Newly-elected President Christopher Trotter. Trotter, a longtime member and St Andrews native, thanked Marie for her unwavering service and saluted his Committee, marketing communications interns and members for a much-anticipated return in-person events.

Christopher’s first order as President was to encourage each member to invite a colleague to the club’s future events, a sure way to increase membership numbers for the coming season.

Closing the AGM, Christopher introduced the long-awaited guest speaker for the evening’s inspiring presentation, which was given by Jamie Andrew, OBE. Jamie detailed his experience of losing all of his limbs after being trapped by a storm atop a mountain in the French Alps. Following this, Jamie’s inspiring story shows his recovery from his injuries and him going on to be the first quadruple amputee to climb the Matterhorn, as well as other mountains, alongside completing marathons and Iron Man triathlons. Jamie’s story, recounted with honesty and passion, is nothing short of incredible.

Podcasts, Vlogs and Talking Media

3rd May 20214th May 2021 Yvonne McAulay

At our recent event on Podcasts, Vlogs and talking media, Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource discussed the power of audio and how podcasts can be used to grow and promote businesses.

Kerr runs a production company in Dundee and has 30 years of experience in music and audio production. He helps businesses to utilise podcasting and audio branding to expand their business.

Kerr explained many aspects of podcasts, for example distinguishing between business and leisure podcasts; the construction of branding through audio and the process of monetisation and promotion. He finished with a Q&A session to answer the guest’s questions on the topics covered.

NEXT EVENT: AGM + Jamie Andrew OBE

Members’ Presentations – How to get your business through Covid-19

4th June 20204th June 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Since we started holding our Member Presentation Evenings two years ago, it has been one of our most popular annual events. Club members, talk for five minutes each and answer questions to share some useful knowledge and demonstrate their skills and expertise.

This year, given the challenges presented by Covid-19, we asked them to talk about what will help businesses survive and thrive during and after lockdown.

First to speak was Club President and well-being expert Marie Paterson who provided top tips for maintaining health throughout lockdown, whether it be through a healthy structured diet or a consistent sleeping pattern.

Next to speak was new Club committee member and Director of HRHUB Plus, Edward Obi who offered detailed HR advice to employers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Third to speak was Club Treasurer Michael Stephenson, of EQ Accountants, who offered advice on furloughing employees and accounting throughout lockdown.

Next to speak was Andrew Stewart from A S Wealth Management, who discussed the importance of financial planning during and beyond lockdown.

Fifth to speak was Heather Stuart, Chief Executive of ONFife who talked about opportunity spotting during lockdown.

Last but not least was committee member Jonathan Gibson of Wells Gibson who talked about the importance of purpose driven wealth.

Thanks to Members and guests who took part.

NEXT EVENT: The Club’s next event is June 24: Summer Social with a difference. While we’re unable to meet and taste some wine and food as planned, we will still join together virtually with two specially-selected wines and some delicious food, hosted by Christopher Trotter. Notice of the wineand food which needs to be bought in advance will be available soon!

Wellbeing during this strange time

23rd April 202023rd April 2020 Yvonne McAulay

The Club held its first online event via Zoom, with networking and an informative talk on wellbeing during the Covid-19 emergency from Vice-President Marie Paterson.

The event kicked off with online networking in breakout groups, giving Members and Guests the opportunity for informal chats.

Wellbeing expert Marie gave her online audience some top tips on how to remain focused, productive, healthy and upbeat during this time of uncertainty.

For more information about this subject, you can visit Marie’s website at https://mariepaterson.com/

NEXT EVENT: The Club’s next event is May 20: AGM Evening, when Andy Lothian, Chairman of Insights Group, will explain the importance of focusing on your purpose rather than just your plan and the value of a people-centred approach to business.

Info & tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/agm-evening-andy-lothian-insights-group-tickets-69999118247

November 13: Work-life balance – success without sacrifice

14th November 2019 Yvonne McAulay

Work-life Balance – Success without sacrifice

Sam Forsberg, of ActionCoach Scotland, explained the importance of maintaining some kind of work-life balance as our working lives get busier at the event held by St Andrews Business Club at The Old Course Hotel.

Success in business is no good if you end up sacrificing your health or your relationships with your loved ones.

As our working lives get busier by the year, maintaining some kind of work-life balance gets harder, particularly for the self-employed.

The audience heard from Sam Forsberg, from ActionCoach Scotland, who gave attendees practical advice on organising themselves and looking after their physical health, to help with setting and achieving realistic business goals which allow them to also meet their personal goals.

For more information about this subject, you can visit ActionCoach Scotland website at https://actioncoach.co.uk/coaches/sam-forsberg/

For more photos, go to the Album on our Facebook page.

NEXT EVENT: The Club’s next event is Dec 11: Festive Social, where members can enjoy a festive social event and tour of the five-star Fairmont St Andrews hotel.

Entrepreneurs to share inspiring success stories at Uni event

23rd September 201923rd September 2019 Yvonne McAulay

Award-winning entrepreneurs will share their inspiring success stories with students and business people at the annual University of St Andrews Enterprise Week Keynote event on October 7.

The free event, open to all, to be held at The Byre Theatre from 5.30pm, will hear Dr Tanya Ewing, Graeme Carling, Daniel Malikzade-Afshar and Juno Lee speak about their experiences, approach and success. It will also begin with 90 minutes of networking.

Tanya Ewing is the multiple award-winning tech entrepreneur, inventor, consultant and mentor who invented the Ewgeco smart real-time utility meter so people could more easily see, understand, and control their costs. She continues to champion energy efficiency with her latest venture at Glaze & Save, which focuses on insulating doors and windows in the listed and historic property sector.

Graeme Carling is the founder and CEO of Carling Property Group, one of the largest private residential landlords in Scotland, and Infinitas Investment as well as Chief Executive of McGill, which he brought back from the brink after buying it out of administration, creating 50 jobs within five months.

Current 3rd Year St Andrews Physics student Daniel Malikzade-Afshar is the founder of local taxi booking platform Yes!Cab, which he created to allow long-established local firms to compete with the giant ride-sharing apps.

Juno Lee, is the co-founder of Combini Co a St Andrews-based fast-casual food and beverage company which combines authentic Korean and Japanese flavours with local Scottish produce.

St Andrews Business Club has partnered with the Enterprise Week student committee for the third year to help organise the event as part of its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship.

Networking Opportunities

The event will begin at 5.30pm with networking with students and university staff over drinks, before the presentations begin at 7pm. After each of the presenters has spoken, the audience will get a chance to ask them questions.

Speaking about the event, St Andrews Business Club President, Caroline Rochford, said: “We’re delighted to have been asked to contribute to this event for a third year to help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and business people. The Club welcomes them to any of our own events and we look forward to hearing stories which will doubtless inspire our members too.”

Bonnie Hacking, Enterprise & Employability Adviser at the University of St Andrews, says: “We’d like to thank St Andrews Business Club for its continued contribution to this event to promote entrepreneurship in our students and in the local community.”

Free tickets for business people should be booked via Eventbrite – for the link go to the Business Club website at www.standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk or the St Andrews Enterprise Week Facebook page, where you can read full details of this event and the rest of the Enterprise week. Students should book via The Byre website.