Our ‘In Conversations’ are hosted by Richard Simpson, joint Managing Director of Tayburn, member of the WeDO Executive Team and host of the soon to be launching WeDO Podcast.  In the morning, he will be in conversation with Jason Allardyce, renowned journalist and former longest standing Editor of The Sunday Times Scotland.  Our afternoon ‘In Conversation’ guest will be confirmed soon.

HOST – RICHARD SIMPSON

Richard Simpson is joint Managing Director of renowned global brand agency Tayburn.  He is a member of the WeDO Executive Team and will be the host of the soon to be launching WeDO Podcast. Richard joined Tayburn in 2008 as Head of Business Development before becoming Marketing Director 18 months later.  He is accountable for Tayburn’s sustainable profitable growth and is passionate about creating a remarkable environment for their people to do remarkable work for their clients. Richard is also an Investor and Advisor at Riixo® – creators of the worlds first sport and injury recovery cuff whose founder Cameron Johnston is one of our speakers at the Conference.

JASON ALLARDYCE

Jason Allardyce is one of Scotland’s most experienced and respected journalists and the longest serving editor of The Sunday Times Scotland, leading the title for more than a decade. During that time it became the dominant quality market leader and was named Sunday Newspaper of the Year in the Scottish Press Awards. He also oversaw its digital transformation which saw its audience quadruple, helping keep the newspaper on a secure footing in challenging times. Jason cut his teeth at the Highland Free Press on the Isle of Skye, where a typical day could involve delivering copies of the newspaper by morning and helping deliver a calf in the afternoon.  He subsequently moved on to senior roles at The Scotsman, The Times and Scotland on Sunday.

Jason is also the founder of Allardyce Media, which offers a full suite of strategic communications services to support business growth and reputation, from branding, campaigns and public affairs to ghost writing speeches and newspaper columns, media relations, media training and crisis management. He has a Master’s degree in public relations and is a member of the CIPR. He can be contacted at [email protected]

DR BRIAN WILLIAMSON

Brian Williamson is an engineer, a professional businessman and an award-winning entrepreneur. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University sponsored by Weir Pumps and climbed the ladder of management quickly, looking after his first department by the age of 21. By 26 Brian had left Weirs and secured his first Managing Director position. He draws on the knowledge and experience he gained in a fast-advancing managerial career in industry, and from his success as an entrepreneur in high growth business situations.  He has been running companies at Board level for the last 41 years, the last 29 as an entrepreneur.

Brian has lived and worked through five recessions and believes in the philosophy that ‘calm seas never made a skilled sailor’. This experience has added to his belief that organisations have to be fast and agile whilst maintaining strong corporate governance.

After an exit with Brightwork in 2017 returning 75 times multiple to investors and a second exit with Jumpstart in 2019, the fastest growing SME in Scotland for three years, Brian became an active investor in businesses building up his own portfolio.

Today Brian is Chairman of the 4icg group, Chairman of Elevator, and NXD at Equity Gap.

In 2023 Brian completed a 927-mile cycle from Calais to Cannes and in the process conquering Mont Ventoux, often part of the Tour de France and known as the “Beast of Provence”

In 2022 Brian was recognised as Non-Executive Director of the year by the Institute of Directors.

In 2016 Brian was recognised by WeDO with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contribution to the entrepreneurial community.

In 2017 Brian was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Glasgow Caledonian University for his contribution to entrepreneurship.

 

LINKS

To find out more about our speakers, click HERE.

To view the Programme for the day, click HERE.

To find out about opportunities to partner with us for the Conference, click HERE.

THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE PARTNERS

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