Business leaders unite to drive Scots growth ambitions

A new collective of business leaders has been formed in an effort to help drive the growth of privately-owned firms across Scotland.

Strathblair Associates has been launched by Richard Oliver, left, and Gary Deans. Picture: Robert Perry

Operating under the banner of Strathblair Associates, the venture has been set up by chartered accountant Richard Oliver and business adviser Gary Deans, who have assembled a team of experts with the aim of providing company owners with access to “top-flight” boardroom experience.

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Strathblair has ambitions to tackle key issues such as strategy, succession and exit planning, international expansion, talent retention, financing growth, sales and marketing and brand management.

Deans said: “We believe that, for businesses to thrive, their owners need access to affordable, best-in-class, strategic advice, co-ordinated across all the boardroom disciplines, something we think is missing in the current market.”

Oliver added: “For many people, running a business can be a very lonely place, so it’s important that business owners can work with people who have been there before.

“We can be the ‘critical ally’ that every business leader needs – able to advise, challenge and support, using our years of experience and collective knowledge.”

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In addition to its core team, which includes Craneware co-founder Gordon Craig and Highlands & Islands Enterprise board member Ailsa Gray, Strathblair has enlisted the support of Marie Macklin, who was last week named as IoD Scotland’s non-executive director of the year.

She said: “I believe that businesses need help to scale and fulfil their potential. Strathblair has brought together talented and experienced business people who can work with owners and executives to make a real difference.”

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