Event

The Herald Scottish Family Business Breakfast in association with Business Gateway is back on Wednesday, August 28.

The Event will be held in the Malcolm Heritage Centre.

The business breakfast will provide delegates with the opportunity to network, learn, question and hear from leaders in family business within Scotland. Keynote speaker Jim Walker will share his experience in leading Walkers Shortbread, whilst our panel share expertise, knowledge and insight to their own business challenges and successes followed by an audience Q & A.

The event is exclusively open to family businesses across Scotland, the definition of this is found in our FAQs. By maintaining the exclusivity of an event tailored for family businesses we offer a unique platform for networking and knowledge – sharing among like minded peers to give invaluable insights into navigating the intricate dynamics of family-owned enterprises. By focusing on the district challenges and opportunities that family businesses encounter, attendees could gain targeted strategies and best practices that fit their own situation and needs in a welcoming space.

Tickets are £10 and include a place to attend the event, official event programme, a copy of The Herald and tea, coffee and refreshments upon arrival.

9.30am – Arrival and Registration, Networking and Breakfast
10.00am – Welcome, The Herald & Event Host
10.10am – Keynote Address
10.30am – Panel discussion, Q&A. Scottish Family Business Representative discussing family business expansion in Scotland
11.15am – Coffee and Networking
12.00pm – Finish

Host

Brian Taylor

The morning’s discussion will be chaired by Herald columnist and political commentator Brian Taylor, who will lead the panellists in key discussion around family business expansion in Scotland giving attendees valuable takeaways and talking points.

Keynote Speaker

Sir Jim Walker

Sir Jim Walker is the grandson of Walker’s Shortbread founder Joseph.

Along with his brother Joe and sister Marjorie, he helped to develop the company from being a village bakery selling only in Speyside, Scotland to an international company represented in around 100 overseas markets. Walker’s Shortbread has now become a flagship of Scottish foods and the company has become the largest family-owned biscuit manufacturer in the UK.

In 2022, Sir Jim was knighted in Queen Elizabeth II’s last Birthday Honours list and subsequently was invested by King Charles III at the Palace of Holyrood, Edinburgh. The Honour of Knighthood was in recognition of exceptional services to the food industry.

Panellists

William Smillie

Joint Managing Director, BE Uniforms

I am William Smillie, I am Joint Managing Director, alongside my brother Ross Smillie, of our Family Business, BE Uniforms. I have worked in our family business for 17 years since the age of 17 and took over the MD role from my Dad in 2022.

Our business specialises in embroidery and print for Schools, Businesses and Clubs. During this period I have covered all areas starting on the factory floor on machines, to design, warehouse, retail, sales and now trying my hand in the hospitality sector as we open our first coffee shop. Outside of the family business my brother and I have a property portfolio which is doing well. In any spare time I play football and occasionally golf.

Cheryl Stewart

CEO, Andron

Cheryl Stewart is CEO of Scotland-headquartered Andron, a family-owned and run national facilities management company. Newly appointed in June, Cheryl is the daughter of Andron’s co-founder and Chairman, Ron Jnr, and is the third generation of the Stewart family to take the reins.

Cheryl’s family business journey started in 2015 when she joined Andron as Bid Manager. Just four years later, she was appointed Sales Director, where she managed Andron’s sales, marketing, and sustainability departments. In her role, Cheryl played a pivotal role in the company’s growth journey, with turnover doubling to almost £70 million in the last few years.

As CEO, Cheryl is focused on continuing Andron’s growth and investing in its people, sustainability, and technology to ensure the company remains a great place to work and the most trusted partner for its customers. At the same time, Cheryl is a passionate family business advocate committed to preserving the family values and culture that have underpinned Andron for the past four decades.

Alongside her role as CEO, Cheryl is a member of the Living Wage Foundation Recognised Service Provider Leadership Group, which focuses on developing the Living Wage Recognition Programme for service providers in the UK.

Testimonials

“We both really enjoyed it, a great panel and interactions in a wonderful venue.

These kind of events are so important for family business members to learn, share and network together.”

Neill Hunter, Managing Director, Scotcrest

FAQ

Who can Register for the event?

This event is exclusive to family businesses across Scotland.

A family business is a business governed and/or managed by members of the same family (or a small number of families) with the intention of shaping and pursuing the vision of the business in a manner that is potentially sustainable across generations of the family (or families)

Is there a deadline to register for the event?

Registration to the event can be made up until the day prior however we would encourage you to register ahead of the event to keep up to date with all event updates.

Where will The Herald Scottish Family Business Breakfast in Association with Business Gateway event take place?

Malcolm Heritage Centre

What is the cost to attend?

Tickets are priced at £10 +VAT+fees per ticket

Where can I see the running order?

You can view the event running order on the online event section of this website above.

Where can I find updates on the event?

You can find updates on the event via this dedicated event website, via heraldscotland.com and by following @NewsquestEvents.

What do I do if I have more questions?

We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have regarding the online event or registration. Please contact Kirsty Coutts, Events Manager on 0141 302 6066 or kirsty.coutts@newsquest.co.uk with all enquires.

Please feel free to use #HSFamBiz to notify that you will be attending this event.