‘Inspire, equip and connect’ - The Calling summit promises to unlock Scotland’s leadership potential

One of Scotland’s most prominent entrepreneurs is to host a national summit later this year aimed at addressing what he sees is a growing leadership gap in the country.

Peter Vardy, chief executive of the eponymous automotive business founded in Scotland two decades ago, is staging the event, dubbed The Calling, in Glasgow this October.

Produced by the charitable Peter Vardy Foundation, the one-day summit aims to “inspire, equip and connect people who lead in every part of Scottish life”.

Peter Vardy is one of Scotland's best known entrepreneurs.

Scheduled to be held on Friday, October 2 at the SEC Armadillo, it will feature keynote talks, panel discussions, teaching sessions and music. The Calling builds on the foundation’s long-standing work in early intervention and leadership, including Gen+, a programme teaching meta-skills and leadership behaviours to tens of thousands of pupils across Scotland.

TV presenter Dan Walker will host the event, joined by speakers including New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff and Dr Jo Salter, Britain’s first female fast-jet pilot. The programme will also feature music from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Vardy, whose other ventures include CarMoney and SilverBullet, said: “When the leader gets better, everybody around them wins. That is something I have seen again and again across business, schools, charities and sports clubs - anywhere people rely on each other.

“The Calling is really about that. It is about bringing people together who want to learn how to lead with character, humility and influence, no matter what their actual job title is.

“I have always believed leadership is not a badge you wear; it is the impact you create,” he added. “No matter who you are, you influence the people around you every single day, but most do not have access to development. If we can help people lead even slightly better, the ripple effect is enormous.”

Vardy, whose father Sir Peter Vardy grew Reg Vardy into one of the UK’s largest car dealership groups before its sale in 2006, added: “We can take a long-term view, even if the impact is harder to quantify. If this conference inspires people to lead with more courage, compassion and clarity, then that is money well spent.”