Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray

In this deeply important episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Nicola Campbell, Lead Partnership Manager at The Lighthouse Charity, to talk about mental health in the construction sector, business pressures, and the support that’s available to those who build the world around us.

Nicola shares the heartbreaking reality that the construction industry loses two workers every working day to suicide, and explains how Lighthouse Charity provides free, 24/7 support to anyone in the industry – from site workers and subcontractors to business owners, directors, and their families.

This conversation is about more than business – it’s about people. It's a reminder that your mental health matters as much as your financial health, and there is help available when things feel heavy.

✅ The silent pressures that business owners in construction face every day

✅ Suicide is preventable – but we have to talk about it, and offer real support

📢 “We do lose two construction workers every working day to suicide.” – Nicola Campbell

📌 The Lighthouse Charity – 24/7 wellbeing and crisis support for construction workers and business owners

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by the dynamic Emma Ross, founder of Ross Commercial Finance. Known for her no-nonsense approach, distinctive personality, and deep lender relationships, Emma is quickly becoming one of the most trusted names in UK commercial finance.

From her early days winning credit card competitions at the bank, to launching her own brokerage and turning it into a profitable, growing business in under a year, Emma’s journey is all about drive, clarity, and backing yourself.

She shares her experiences navigating male-dominated spaces, building a business on trust and service, and why helping her clients tell the right story is key to unlocking funding.

✅ Why commercial finance is all about storytelling – and getting the detail right

✅ Success isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about how you present the numbers

📢 “If you give me a one-liner saying, ‘I flipped a property before,’ how am I supposed to sell that to a lender? But if you tell me what you paid, what you spent, the before and after photos – now we’re building the picture.”

📌 Ross Commercial Finance – Learn more about Emma’s brokerage and services

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Paula Wingate, founder of Influential Minds – and a force to be reckoned with in the world of business coaching.

Paula brings a rare blend of mindset mastery and razor-sharp commercial strategy, helping business owners scale sustainably, increase their profit margins, and finally get the freedom they started their business for in the first place.

From growing up in a Barnsley council estate to running a high-performing team in banking, from losing everything to building it all back again, Paula shares a story packed with lessons, mindset shifts, and practical advice that every business owner needs to hear.

✅ How Paula went from high-performing corporate leader to successful entrepreneur

✅ Business success starts with clarity – not just on what you do, but why you do it

📢 “If you improve your business by 1% every single day, it’s not 365% improvement – it’s 3,678% because of the compound effect.” – Paula Wingate

📌 Influential Minds – Learn more about Paula Wingate and her coaching work

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Jordan Howard, Managing Director of D2 Integrated Systems, to talk about the highs, lows, and hard lessons of building a business.

Jordan’s journey is one that many business owners will recognise – starting out with big ambitions, learning some tough financial lessons, and ultimately transforming his business through better cash flow management, processes, and people.

From risky partnerships and restructuring to scaling a business beyond £4 million, Jordan’s story is a real-world lesson in why knowing your numbers isn’t just important – it’s essential.

✅ How Jordan grew his business – and the mistakes he learned from along the way

✅ Start with mentorship. Jordan believes that business owners should seek guidance from day one – not wait until things go wrong to ask for help.

📢 “If you don’t know where your cash is going, things can go bad very, very quickly – and you won’t even know it’s happening.” – Jordan Howard

01:22 Jordan's Career Beginnings

📌 D2 Integrated Systems – Learn more about Jordan Howard’s business and services on his website.

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with John Hillis, Managing Director of Blackhall & Powis, to discuss the journey from starting a business with little financial knowledge to scaling it into a key player in renewable energy and infrastructure.

John shares how he and his team have navigated the challenges of rapid growth, why cashflow is the one number he watches every day, and how having the right financial insights transformed his business. With Blackhall & Powis supporting multi-billion-pound energy projects across the UK and Europe, this is a must-listen for any business owner looking to scale with confidence.

✅ The realities of scaling from startup to multi-million-pound business

💡Business owners should focus on financial knowledge from day one. John believes that anyone starting a business should be directed towards financial education, as understanding the basics early on provides a strong foundation for growth.

💡Adversity fuels growth. Challenges in business are inevitable, but the ability to push through them helps entrepreneurs develop both professionally and personally.

💡Cashflow is the ultimate priority. John and his team monitor cash flow daily and weekly because it’s the lifeblood of the business and crucial for maintaining stability and funding growth.

📢 “If you've got the information, then you can use the information. Even if it's bad news, it kind of doesn't really matter because we know we've got the team that can work through it.”

📌 Blackhall & Powis – Learn more about John Hillis and his team’s work in renewable energy and infrastructure.

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Billy Farrell, CEO of Mayhem Marketing, to explore the mindset, resilience, and bold thinking needed to build a standout business.

Billy shares his journey from a tough start in Glasgow to building multiple successful ventures, highlighting the power of authenticity, positioning, and refusing to accept limits. From marketing strategies that cut through the noise to the mindset shifts that drive real success, this conversation is packed with insights for ambitious entrepreneurs.

✅ Why mindset is the foundation of success – in business and life

💡 “For me growing up, everyone was telling me what I couldn't do, and they were basing my possibilities on their limitations.” – Billy Farrell

📢 “If they don’t know you, they can’t pay you.” – Billy Farrell

📌 Billy Farrell on Instagram – Learn more about Billy Farrell’s marketing strategies for ambitious businesses.

📌 Is Your Cash Flow Limiting Your Growth? Scorecard

📌 The Better Decisions, More Money Webinar

📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Discover how Craig helps business owners take control of their finances and drive sustainable growth.

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Chris Lawrie, Area Director for SME Banking at the Bank of Scotland, to uncover the realities of business banking, funding, and how SMEs can best engage with their bank.

Chris debunks the common myth that "banks aren’t lending," explaining how businesses can position themselves for funding success and why early engagement with your bank is key. From working capital and funding growth to understanding gross margin and financial forecasting, this episode is packed with practical advice for business owners looking to scale with confidence.

✅ Why banks do want to lend – but need your help to make it happen

💡 “When I hear people saying banks aren’t lending, it’s like saying to a house builder, ‘you’re not building houses.’” – Chris Lawrie

📢 “If you don’t know your numbers, you’re just guessing – and guessing doesn’t pay the bills.” – Craig Alexander Rattray

📌 Bank of Scotland SME Banking – Learn more about how Chris and his team support businesses across Scotland.

In this special episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, the tables are turned as host Craig Alexander Rattray takes the guest seat to share his entrepreneurial journey, philosophies, and financial insights. Interviewed by the lively and ever-curious Gary Muircroft, Craig opens up about his path from a numbers-loving schoolboy in Wishaw to a business mentor transforming the lives of entrepreneurs.

From reflections on childhood inspiration to candid thoughts on the shortcomings of traditional accountants, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a man who believes finance is simple – and essential for business success. Craig shares his two rules for business, the importance of being a forward-looking advisor, and how his unique "co-pilot" approach can empower business owners to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with wisdom, actionable tips, and some laughs along the way.

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In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, host Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Colin Hewitt, founder of Float, to dive into the essential topic of cash flow forecasting and its transformative impact on business decision-making. Colin shares his journey from running a digital agency to creating Float, a cash forecasting app designed to help small businesses thrive by providing clarity, confidence, and control over their finances.

With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by business owners, Colin reveals how cash flow forecasting isn't just about numbers - it's about creating a strategy to achieve financial stability, invest with confidence, and ultimately, sleep better at night. This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to take the guesswork out of managing their business finances.

00:49 Colin Hewitt's Journey with Float

In this episode of the Know Your Numbers podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray catches up with his good friend Stuart Dougal, a man who’s no stranger to high-pressure decisions. Known for his years as a top Scottish Premier League referee, including officiating some of the most intense Old Firm clashes, Stuart brings a unique perspective to the world of business.

Having transitioned from the football pitch to corporate restructuring and now running his own advisory business, Stuart shares the lessons he's learned about navigating tough decisions, managing pressure, and staying cool under fire—both in football and in business.

Craig and Stuart dive into the challenges faced by business owners, from tackling cash flow problems to dealing with over-reliance on key customers. They discuss how Stuart’s experiences in refereeing have shaped his leadership style and offer invaluable insights for anyone looking to make smarter business decisions.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the Know Your Numbers podcast for more expert advice and inspiring stories. From the football pitch to the business world, let Stuart and Craig guide you through mastering your finances and thriving as a business owner!