A menu of special guests for latest Albion dinners

The Marketing Society Scotland’s next round of Albion dinners has attracted a good line-up of speakers, including David Dinsmore, editor of the Sun, and Will Whitehorn, formerly one of Sir Richard Branson’s right hand men and now chairman of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Emma Little welcomes guests to ExecSpaces west coast extravaganza in Glasgow last week

The four events, held at top restaurants, are sponsored this year by recruitment agency Denholm Associates. The 2014 dinners kick off on Thursday with Dougal Sharp, founder and managing director of brewer Innis & Gunn. Christian Arno, founder and managing director of UK translation company Lingo24, completes the series.

The programme has been developed over the last five years in association with public relations agency The Big Partnership.

John Denholm, managing director of Denholm Associates, said: “Our proposition is ‘better connected’ and we believe that it’s important for senior marketers to have influence across other key business functions.”

Graeme Atha, director of the Marketing Society, said he hopes to develop the programme in Aberdeen and Dundee this year.

A taste of indulgence

There was a majority female crowd at ExecSpace’s Glasgow bash last week and perhaps that was no surprise given the hospitality on offer.

The Edinburgh-based firm, founded by Emma Little, specialises in booking accommodation for busy business types and those doing the conference circuit. It held the west coast gathering as it looks to ramp up its presence there, having hired Natalie Maynard as regional account director. The event coincided with the firm’s sixth year of operation.

But the big attraction may have been the mini spa treatments, cookery demonstration, wine tasting and nibbles courtesy of Hotel Chocolat. Sounds like the perfect ladies’ night out.

End of the line at Life

Scottish Life’s veteran PR man, Alasdair Buchanan, is leaving the Edinburgh-based pensions specialist – almost two years after announcing his retirement from parent group Royal London. Buchanan spent 16 years at the company before taking on a part-time role in May 2012.

His departure comes as the firm’s owner prepares to phase out the 132-year-old Scottish Life brand.

Royal London chief executive Phil Loney said in October that the Scottish Life and Scottish Provident names would be disappearing as he seeks a “new visual and verbal expression” for the group.

London’s love for Scotland

JAMES Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, took a party of 15 producers to London’s Borough Market last week to show off their wares.

“It’s been fantastic, great, and there really was a buzz about the market hall where we set up shop,” he said.

“Borough Market is a food mecca and a lot of London trade buyers also come here, so it was very valuable.”

Porridge, salmon and whisky were obviously among the items tempting visitors, but given the visit coincided with Burns Night, the haggis was proving a popular seller too.