Tim Purves, Director of William Purves Funeral Directors, joins Alex and Alan for this week's episode of Edinburgh Business Stories.

William Purves started the company back in 1888 and now, five generations later, Chairman Tim Purves represents the Purves family. The 'William Purves family' today comprises over 100 staff including four great-great-grandchildren of the founder.

Tim shares gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the job of a funeral director, building strong company values, the Queen's funeral and how his faith shapes his guiding principles.

Lorna Clayton, Managing Director at Academic Families, joins Alex and Alan for this week's episode of Edinburgh Business Stories.

Lorna founded Academic Families, a leading education agency that provides comprehensive support to international parents seeking the best UK education for their children. The agency offers assistance in school selection, enrollment management and visa support.

Lorna shared some great insights with us about how she started her business, what it's like to be a guardian for an overseas child, the benefits of guardianships, and how she was awarded an MBE for her charity work.

Yolanda Luca, owner of some of Edinburgh's favourite family run ice cream shops, joins Alex and Alan for this weeks episode of Edinburgh Business Stories.

The Luca family has been involved in all aspects of the business since its inception. They oversee everything from producing the ice cream to serving cones from their ice cream vans and parlours. Yolanda is now in-charge of ensures that Scappaticcio Luca's original vision and ethos are maintained.

Yolanda shares insights into the company's marketing strategies, the difficulties faced by businesses during COVID-19, and some amazing stories from her experience at S. Luca.

Editor’s Note (August 2025): This episode was recorded in October 2023. Since that time, A petition to wind up Orocco Limited has been presented, which will have an impact on local suppliers, customers and staff. We’ve chosen to retain this episode to reflect the entrepreneurial journey at the time it was recorded. We also recognise the impact this has had on those involved, and we stand with the local business community.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, hosts Alan Smith and Alex Richards interview Johnny Blurton, the Director of Orocco and Trinity Decorating Services. 

Johnny shares valuable insights into the construction industry, from his early apprenticeship days to running his own business. He talks about setting up a business during the recession, building a strong team, and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

We are excited to have Claire Middlebrook, Managing Director of Middlebrooks Business Recovery & Advice, on this week's insightful episode of Edinburgh Business Stories!

Financial distress can be an overwhelming experience. It can be difficult to know what options are available to you. That's where Middlebrooks comes in. They exist to bridge the gap and guide you out of debt, so you can take control of your finances and start living a debt-free life.

Join us as we chat with Claire about; Some of the more challenging cases she has worked on, her early career and share some all-around brilliant stories.

On this week's episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, your esteemed hosts, Alan & Alex, are joined by Piers Bambridge - Director of Pike & Bambridge.

Over the past decade, Pier, and his team, have been changing the motoring industry. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, Electric Vehicles (EVs) are the way forward. Pike & Bambridge specialise in assisting professionals in finding their next car, saving them both time and money. They cater to sports people in football, rugby, golf, and Team GB, as well as those who are part of the Law Society and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland's Partners and Directors Car schemes.

Piers shares some amazing stories with us surrounding his career, the motoring industry and his business philosophy!

Kat Brogan, director of Mercat Tours Ltd, joins Alex & Alan on this week's Edinburgh Business Stories!

Kat has been leading Mercat Tours and Mercat Tours International since 2014, and under her leadership, the company has achieved numerous awards and recognition. Mercat Edinburgh has been operating for over 30 years! With her committed team, Kat has positioned Mercat Tours as the market leader in providing high-quality, expert-led tours of Scotland's capital, as well as the battlefields of WWI and WWII in Europe.

Kat chats to the guys about the importance of their guiding principles, the unique challenges of different tours and setting up the Our Stories Your City Project!

Make sure you check out Mercat Tours on all their socials:

Faacebook - https://www.facebook.com/MercatTours/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mercattours
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/MercatToursLtd
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mercat-tours-ltd

Edinburgh Business Stories is thrilled to introduce John Davidson, the owner of Southside Property Management, as a guest on this week's episode.


John joins Alex and Alan for an insightful conversation about his career and everything related to property management. From his humble start in entrepreneurship by selling eggs on the farm to running a successful business that has achieved 15 years of continuous growth.

We are excited to welcome Craig Letton, CEO of MRM Global, on this week episode of Edinburgh Business Stories!

Craig boasts over 11 years of experience and a track record of scaling business, expansion and delivering innovative solutions to global clients! Craig discusses the drinks industry, pandemic effects on business, and managing a massive account at 26 with Alan and Alex.

This week on EBS, Alex and Alan are joined by Ali Findlay - Chief Executive at The Lane Agency.
Ali built The Lane Agency into a successful marketing agency by helping her clients to streamline communication, strategy and increase relevancy to their clients.

Ali chats with the guys about her setting up her own company, trying to find a perfect work life balance, the importance of company values and the business challenges shes has faced over the years - financial crisis and Covid.

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