In this insightful episode of the Scottish Business Network Podcast, host Ewan Dunbar is joined by Stephen O’Donnell, Chief Operating Officer of the Scottish Business Network, whose remarkable career spans engineering, global tech leadership, private equity, and now philanthropy.

Stephen shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey—from humble beginnings in Leith and West Lothian to leading major transformation programs at firms like BT, Deutsche Bank, and G4S. With a storyteller’s flair, he reflects on:

Growing up in 1960s Scotland and the power of outdoor adventure

His transition from engineer to tech salesman—and the secrets behind great sales

Building a career as a “Renaissance problem-solver” across multiple industries

Insights from decades in leadership, innovation, and global business

His current mission at SBN: empowering Scotland’s global diaspora and giving back

Packed with wisdom, humour, and a healthy dose of Scottish pride, this episode offers inspiration for entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers alike.

Welcome to the Scottish Business Network podcast. In this episode of the Scottish Business Network Podcast, host and SBN's Chairman Russell Dalgleish sits down with Doug Stevenson, the Network’s San Francisco Ambassador, for a dynamic conversation spanning continents, industries, and insights.

Doug shares his personal background and early career, offering a glimpse into the formative experiences that shaped his global perspective. The conversation explores Doug’s entrepreneurial journey with Vibrant Media, a pioneering contextual advertising company that achieved significant success in the US and beyond.

Now focused on CEO coaching and mentoring, Doug reflects on the challenges and rewards of leading at the highest level, sharing practical advice for founders and executives navigating growth and change. He also offers his unique insights into US market opportunities for Scottish businesses, including the cultural nuances and strategic considerations that can make or break international expansion.

Welcome to the Scottish Business Network podcast. For the 100 episode of the SBN podcast I had the pleasure of speaking with a truly remarkable individual, Russell Dalgleish, the founder and chairperson of the Scottish Business Network. Russell is a dynamic leader with a career that spans decades and industries, from technology to global networking. His journey, which he refers to as one of luck and perseverance, has been marked by pivotal moments, from his early days in computing to his role as a connector of the global Scottish diaspora.

Russell's vision for the Scottish Business Network has been instrumental in building a vibrant community that supports Scottish businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide. His experiences, from standing on a plinth in Trafalgar Square to navigating the challenges of the 2008 recession, have shaped his belief in the power of community, resilience, and the importance of asking for help.

In this interview, I explore Russell's insights on leadership, his philosophy of helping others, and the unique challenges and opportunities within Scottish culture. Whether you're an expat looking to reconnect with your roots or a member of the Scottish Business Network, this conversation promises to inspire and inform.

I give you Russell Dalgleish….

Welcome to today's episode, where we have the absolute honour of hosting a remarkable individual who epitomises resilience, determination, and the sheer power of the human spirit. Our guest today is none other than Martin Perry, a phenomenal Paralympian who is about to embark on yet another incredible journey—competing in the Paris Paralympics in table tennis.

Martin's story is nothing short of inspiring. Born with congenital limb deficiency, Martin could have easily let this define his limitations, but instead, he has used it as a platform to build an extraordinary career. Growing up amidst financial challenges, he developed a resilience that has propelled him to the very pinnacle of his sport. As Martin himself says, 'My disability was just life, but it was the financial struggles my family faced that truly built the character and resilience within me.'

Throughout his career, Martin has been a beacon of motivation, not just in sports but also as a public speaker, inspiring countless individuals around the world. Whether he's sharing his journey with schoolchildren, playing table tennis with no hands—a feat he jokingly describes as 'absolutely stupid'—or representing causes close to his heart, such as Preventing Ocean Plastic, Martin's impact is profound.

In this podcast, we'll delve into Martin's incredible journey—from the trials and tribulations of narrowly missing qualification to the emotional moment of discovering he had made it to the Paralympics, and the unwavering support of his wife, Siobhan, who he lovingly refers to as his number one supporter, despite her indifference to table tennis.

Join us as we explore the life and mindset of a true champion, someone who lives by the words of Winston Churchill: 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal, but it is the courage to continue that counts.' Without further ado, let's hear Martin’s story …

Welcome to the last of three special episodes of the Scottish Business Network podcast in partnership with the UK Government’s Department of Business and Trade and, in particular, its International Markets Team for Latin America and the Caribbean.

And here's a questions for you... Did you know that one of the most popular dishes in Brazil is sushi? That's a consequence of another fact that may or may not surprise you in that Brazil is home to 1.5m people of Japanese descent – one of the biggest Japanese communities outside Japan itself.

Stay with me because that is a valuable fact for the Scottish seafood industry, and in particular salmon producers, because there is a huge opportunity to sell high-quality Scottish salmon to the sushi chefs of Brazil.

That’s exactly why as part of the Government’s Seafood Exports Package, the Department of Business and Trade, in collaboration with Defra and Seafood Scotland, recently brought some of Brazil’s most influential sushi chefs over to Scotland to demonstrate what is on offer. This initiative was led by Iseabail Mactaggart, Deputy Director for Scotland at the UK Government’s Department of Business and Trade, and she explains all in this episode.

If you would like to find out more about trade opportunities in Brazil or elsewhere in Latin America and the Caribbean, you can simply email the International Markets Team at [email protected] or, as Iseabail mentions in this episode, [email protected].

And do listen to the two other episodes in this series, you’ll find them by seareching for:

Spencer Mahony: Our Man in Mexico

Robin Sampson: Trade Spaces in Colombia”

Welcome to the second of three special episodes of the Scottish Business Network podcast in partnership with the UK Government’s Department of Business and Trade and, in particular, its International Markets Team for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this episode, it' a great pleasure to hear from Spencer Mahony, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Mexico City. Brimming with enthusiasm for the region, Spencer explains why there are great opportunities for many Scottish businesses in these markets, and how he and his team can help. He also casts a fresh light on countries that perhaps don’t always get the most balanced coverage in the media. For anyone interested in trade opportunities with this part of the world, it’s a great listen.

If you have any queries about markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, or would like to explore trade opportunities there, do get in touch by sending an email to [email protected].

And do listen to the two other episodes in this series:

Iseabail Mctaggart: Scottish Salmon & the Sushi Chefs of Brazil

Robin Sampson: Trade Spaces in Colombia

Welcome to three special episodes of the Scottish Business Network in partnership with the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade and, in particular, its International Markets Team for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this first episode, we hear the fascinating story of Robin Sampson, founder of Trade in Space, an Edinburgh-based business that is flourishing in Colombia. Trade in Space uses satellite data and blockchain traceability to enable agricultural supply chains to meet their ethical and sustainability targets. In particular, Robin and his team are playing a hugely positive role in developing transparency within the Colombian coffee market.

Robin demonstrates opportunities available in Latin American countries that may not be on the radar of many Scottish businesses. He also explains how the International Markets team and the British Embassy in Bogota have played a key role in his success.

If you have any queries about markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, or would like to explore trade opportunities there, do get in touch by sending an email to [email protected].

And do listen to the other two episodes in this series:

Iseabail Mctaggart: Scottish Salmon & the Sushi Chefs of Brazil

Spencer Mahony: Our Man in Mexico

SBN co-founder Russell Dalgleish meets identical twins Lisa and Alana Macfarlane and discovers how they swapped their globe-trotting careers as DJs to build an ambitious business promoting gut health.

If you go down to the woods today, you might find Rupert Waites drilling for birch sap. The co-founder of Scottish drinks company Buck & Birch is our fascinating host for a special woodland episode in which we discuss the business he co-founded with Tom Chisholm. We also explore their deep connection with the Scottish landscape, their foraging-inspired spirits & liqueurs, and why Rupert is currently eating a lot of venison.

David started life in Glasgow dreaming of working in an ice cream van but then, after considering a career in the merchant navy, he realised he could get a place at university. That decision opened the door to an extraordinarily successful career thousands of miles away in the US space industry. David tells his story with wonderful colour, humour and affection for his homeland. Recommended!

Recorded on 23 March 2023.