ASB Conference & Awards Programme 2023

ANNUAL CONFERENCE & NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS

“Be Your Best Self”

PROGRAMME Tuesday 7th November 2023 The George Hotel Edinburgh Join the conversation

#ASBAwards2023

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Welcome A very warm welcome to Edinburgh!

We have travelled today from all over Scotland to the Association of Scottish Businesswomen Annual Conference and National Business Awards 2023.

This annual event brings women from all walks of business life together to hear from fabulous speakers and to recognise and celebrate our award finalists and winners. This day gives all of them the recognition they deserve.

These days don’t just happen. There’s been a lot of blood sweat and tears along the way. Sourcing sponsors, speakers, venue, trophies the list goes on but here we are, and we hope you enjoy the day and get inspiration to ‘Be Your Best Self’. You’ll find the plan for today on page 5 of this programme, which is your copy to take away.

We mentioned sponsors, many of whom are with us today. Thank you goes to: Ledingham Chalmers, Tweed Business Advisory, Brown Shipley – A Quintet Private Bank, Aberdein Considine, and Vodafone Business.

We also want to acknowledge the help we’ve had from Kate Bell and her event team and the support from Edinburgh Businesswomen’s Club today.

Finally - Have a fabulous day! Good luck to all our finalists! Whatever the outcome you are all UNSTOPPABLE WOMEN!

Isabel & Ann

Our Committee 2023

Ann Johnson

Isabel McNicoll

Sarah Morris

Tamara Campbell

Our Speakers

Craig Pike (Ledingham Chalmers)

Mel Sherwood

Marie-Claire Donnelly

Aberdeen-based Craig Pike heads up the firm’s private client department, regularly advising clients on matters relating to wills, powers of attorney, guardianships, trusts and executries as well as inheritance tax planning and succession planning.

Described by audiences as charismatic, engaging and riveting, Mel Sherwood is a multi award-winning speaker, event host, author and creator of The RED Effect™.

Marie-Claire is a the owner of multiple successful businesses.

She is a Life, Business and Wellness Coach, the creator of Dream Magic Superfood Powders and runs Dream Fitness with her sister. She is also a published Author and her book It Is What It Is: Universal and Everlasting Lessons from Lockdown reached Number 1 in the Amazon charts.

Craig joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2005, qualifying in 2007, and was promoted to partner in 2015.

He is the chairman of Aberdeen Performing Arts — the organisation overseeing His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall, and The Lemon Tree. He is also clerk and assessor of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen, continuing an unbroken line of lawyers from Ledingham Chalmers, and its predecessors, going back to 1888.

Reflecting his interest in the wellbeing of older people in the community, Mr Pike is a trustee of Northcote Lodge Care Home in Aberdeen, and is on the local steering group for Alzheimer Scotland.

Outside of work, Craig is also a member of The Flying Pigs: a musical sketch comedy team based in Aberdeen.

Specialising in communication skills, Mel often works with ambitious business leaders and teams who want to maximise their influence, impact and income by pitching and presenting with confidence and credibility.

Her clients include global and UK companies, government organisations, universities and SMEs in a wide variety of industries.

Mel’s first book The Authority Guide to Pitching Your Business: How to make an impact and be remembered… in under a minute! was a ‘Business Book of the Year’ Finalist and she is currently working on her second book.

An Australian who now calls Scotland home, Mel combines over 25 years’ experience in business with a background as an actor, presenter and singer to help her clients to take centre stage and transform their lives and businesses through improved communication skills.

She is super passionate about all things related to improving Health, Fitness and Mental Wellbeing and her mission in life is to help others look and feel their best - mentally, emotionally and physically.

PROGRAMME 9.30am

Registration & Refreshments 10am

Morning Session Presidents welcome Craig Pike (Ledingham Chalmers) Mel Sherwood 12 noon

Finger Buffet Lunch & Networking 1pm

Afternoon Session Marie-Claire Donnelly Panel Q&A Comfort break 3pm

Afternoon Tea and Presentation of ASB National Business Awards

JUDGES

Professor Lynne Cadenhead

Joyce White OBE

Chair Women's Enterprise Scotland

Chief Officer Peak Potential

June Walker

Elaine Guthrie

Founder and Commercial Director Excelarate Ltd.

Associate Director Sales IBEX Insurance Services Ltd.

Kirste Johnstone

Margarette Bryan

Sector head (SG) Vodafone UK

Roxburgh Consultants

Finalists Affiliate of the Year

Finalists Most Enterprising Business

SCOTTISH KEEPSAKES Carol Smith Nominated by Ayrshire Businesswomen ABW President Karen Ross said: Carol Smith has been a long-standing member of Ayrshire Business Women.

We have seen her business from its infancy to the flourishing global success it stands today. Carol hand makes bespoke and personalised keepsakes.

Carol was approached to develop a product that could be sold in connection with Outlander, this is available on her website and sold throughout Scotland and shipped globally. Her continued success has resulted in her providing product for the “wee box” subscription service. As a direct result of this growth, Carol now also employs staff to help develop her products.

It would be fair to say that ABW is proud to have Carol as a member. She deserves recognition for her contribution to the local economy and is the definition of a “Most Enterprising Business”

BEHIND THE SCENES VA LTD. Emma Mulraine Nominated by Highland Business Women Emma Glass, HBW President, said: We’ve chosen to nominate Emma at Behind the Scenes VA Ltd as the HBW Board alongside the judges were blown away by the quality of her entry and how much she has grown and the successes she has achieved in her business.

Emma started her business on a borrowed laptop as she didn’t have enough money to buy her own. She was a struggling single mother at this time.

Since then, Emma has gone onto achieve many of her goals personally and professionally.

Emma embodies everything Highland Business Women is about she is passionate, driven and motivated as well as an absolute force to be reckoned with.

BYRES FARM Helen Smith Nominated by Moray Business Women Ailsa Stinton, President of MBW says: Helen Smith runs Byres Farm, a multipurpose venue and farm attraction at Spey Bay near Fochabers. Providing quality family time for families and groups. The business has a strong focus on education, teaching children and families about farming and the countryside, through fun activities. The venue is also available for private hires and events. The business has recently introduced circular walks and a self-service coffee and gift shop. They hold several charity events each year and provide a dropoff area for Moray School Bank donations.

MBW believe that Helen is the very definition of 'Enterprising!' and look forward to seeing how things evolve at Byres Farm over the coming years.

Finalists Woman of Inspiration

Annette Gibson BAREFOOT ECO CLEANING LTD Annette is CEO and Founder of Barefoot Eco Group. Mother of 3 and grandmother to 3.

Barefoot Eco has many areas to its business, commercial cleaning of offices, restaurants, prisons & more.

New in 2022 Barefoot Sustainability stores and Barefoot Eco Bistro's offering Local fresh produce. Barefoot are dedicated to our Environmental Goals and hope to achieve Net Zero by 2028.

Fiona Perry FLYING SMILES Fiona Perry qualified in 1985 and is founder and dental hygienist of FlyingSmiles. She has worked in various roles as Dental Hygienist and trainer.

Fiona uses her gentle but impactful skills with her patients and guides them through changing habits forever to prevent dental disease.

In 2019 Fiona set up the first Scottish mobile dental hygienist service.

She aims to be as sustainable as possible; checking suppliers, offering an eco-friendly dental shop and using a cargo bike. Fiona Perry is founder and dental hygienist of FlyingSmiles.

Jane Duncan-Rogers BEFORE I GO SOLUTIONS Jane at age 55 was devastated when her husband died, but 3 years on she wrote her first book Gifted By Grief, which has led directly to founding Before I Go Solutions® in 2016.

Her background of 35 years in the coaching/ training field has been perfect for this social enterprise that has grown into the leading training company in its field. With her team of certified End of Life Plan Facilitators, they offer products and programmes to help people complete their end-of-life plans.

Finalists Woman of Inspiration Kasia Neilson FAYRE PLAY Kasia Neilson formed Fayre Play with her husband Craig in 2018 as Fore Play Crazy Golf, then earlier this year, they opened Scotland's first adults-only funfair games experience, with nostalgia, cocktails, street food and Instagrammable moments.

Her vision, resilience and dedication to launching a successful Fayre Play, whilst maintaining a strong, dedicated team, should be acknowledged and rewarded.

Pauline Lockhart LATER LIFE CONCIERGE LTD. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 21, Pauline persevered through debilitating pain and completed her degree and postgraduate.

At 28, she became the first female international manager for men's golf in Scotland, while concealing my disability.

Amid the COVID pandemic, Pauline founded Later Life Concierge, an innovative service providing seniors with a trusted life admin coordinator.

Finalists Overcoming Adversity

Isla Aitken GREEN GABLES EDITING Isla trained in journalism and was a sub editor for nearly 20 years, before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.

After nine months of treatment, she wrote a book on her experience, Making Pearls From Grit, and after that was published, in 2019, launched her own editing business, Green Gables Editing – just in time for Covid!

Louise Cameron ICTS UK & IRELAND An experience Senior Manager with a demonstrated history of working in government security vetting and the aviation industry. A strong operational professional with an MBA from Edinburgh Napier University and a Mum to four teenagers and five woofs.

ICTS specialises in the provision of security services and serves more than 120 private and public sector organisations across the UK.

Pauline Lockhart LATER LIFE CONCIERGE LTD Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the tender age of 21, Pauline faced relentless pain and exhaustion while pursuing her education, eventually earning a degree and postgraduate qualification.

At 28, she shattered gender barriers by becoming the first woman to hold the esteemed position of International Manager for men's golf in Scotland. Remarkably, doing this while concealing my disability, driven by an unyielding determination to prove herself.

Finalists Business for Good

K9 KIND LTD Aileen Hodgson Aileen is the director and trainer at K9-Kind Limited, a company dedicated to ethical dog training.

With over a decade of experience, her primary goal is to foster strong bonds between dogs and their guardians.

K9-Kind offers a range of services, including engaging puppy classes and personalised training packages.

At the heart of K9-Kind's philosophy is a commitment to using kindness as the foundation for all training methods.

ANXIETY COUNSELLING ONLINE Juulia Karlstedt Juulia Karlstedt, a BACP Accredited Therapist, has been supporting individuals grappling with anxiety and perfectionism through her private practice, Anxiety Counselling Online, since 2018.

With a unique blend of therapy, training, and business coaching, Juulia has now expanded her reach beyond one-on-one sessions, offering bespoke solutions to companies and developing accessible digital resources.

Her commitment to creativity and tailormade solutions has set her apart in the industry and she takes great pride in.

THE COUNTRY SPA Katrina Sutherland Katrina Sutherland, is an advanced beauty therapist in Caithness, with a strong desire to promote a holistic approach to skincare and wellness.

Having been a selfemployed therapist since 1989, her passion for beauty therapy and knowledge of the healing power of the sea, led to me open The Country Spa in 2007, the first in Caithness and a place where people could relax and enjoy nurturing facial and body treatments using seaweed-based products.

Finalists Business for Good LATER LIFE CONCIERGE LTD – Pauline Lockhart Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the tender age of 21, Pauline faced relentless pain and exhaustion while pursuing her education, eventually earning a degree and postgraduate qualification.

At 28, she shattered gender barriers by becoming the first woman to hold the esteemed position of International Manager for men's golf in Scotland.

Remarkably, doing this while concealing my disability, driven by an unyielding determination to prove herself.

Finalists Business of the Year

McCLINTOCK OPTICAL STYLING BOUTIQUE Amanda Nasser Amanda Nasser is an optometrist and eyewear stylist. She embarked on her optical journey 39 years ago. 18 years ago, she identified a gap in the market and started her own domiciliary optometry service.

Then 5 years ago she identified a gap in the market and opened her optical styling boutique in Lossiemouth.

SCOTTISH KEEPSAKES Carol Smith Carol Smith is the founder/owner of Scottish Keepsakes. She is passionate about her business ~ designing and hand-crafting a range of unique Scottish gifts and keepsakes, many of which can be personalised.

She is very proud that Scottish Keepsakes has just celebrated its 5th year Anniversary, having endured and overcome the many challenges faced over recent times.

She has a real sense of achievement knowing that her collections of bespoke products are enjoyed locally, nationally and globally~ perfect for everyday gifting as well as special occasions and events.

ANXIETY COUNSELLING ONLINE Juulia Karlstedt Juulia Karlstedt, a BACP Accredited Therapist, has been supporting individuals grappling with anxiety and perfectionism through her private practice, Anxiety Counselling Online, since 2018.

With a unique blend of therapy, training, and business coaching, Juulia has now expanded her reach beyond one-on-one sessions, offering bespoke solutions to companies and developing accessible digital resources.

Her commitment to creativity and tailormade solutions has set her apart in the industry and she takes great pride in.

Finalists Business of the Year THE COUNTRY SPA Katrina Sutherland Katrina Sutherland is an advanced beauty therapist in Caithness, with a strong desire to promote a holistic approach to skincare and wellness.

Having been a self-employed therapist since 1989, her passion for beauty therapy and knowledge of the healing power of the sea, led to me open The Country Spa in 2007, the first in Caithness and a place where people could relax and enjoy nurturing facial and body treatments using seaweed-based products.

She also taught beauty therapy for ten years at The North Highland College and still enjoy sharing her knowledge and experience today.

Panel Member Spotlight

Sandra Dailidyte Sandra Dailidyte is a director at Brown Shipley Quintet.

Sandra is based in Scotland, Edinburgh where she looks after wealthy individuals (many of whom are successful entrepreneurs) and their families and help them to plan their finances, whether that is post business exit or helping them to make the most of their asset base whilst they are still working.

Having worked in the financial services over a decade, Sandra is well-connected across both corporate and business eco-systems.

Sandra has a MSc in Economics at the University of Edinburgh. She is a chartered wealth manager and a certified financial planner. Sandra is very passionate about diversity and equality.

She is actively involved in various organisations, namely Future Asset, GAIN – Girls Are INvestors & Founders4Schools where she is a popular speaker at their events and acts as a mentor for a number of students.

Finalists Businesswoman of the Year

Carol Smith SCOTTISH KEEPSAKES Carol Smith is the founder/owner of Scottish Keepsakes. She is passionate about her business ~ designing and hand-crafting a range of unique Scottish gifts and keepsakes, many of which can be personalised.

She is very proud that Scottish Keepsakes has just celebrated its 5th year Anniversary, having endured and overcome the many challenges faced over recent times.

She has a real sense of achievement knowing that her collections of bespoke products are enjoyed locally, nationally and globally~ perfect for everyday gifting as well as special occasions and events.

Jo Barton JO McFARLANE LTD Jo is an award-winning candle maker based in Scotland, she shares her 10 years of candle making knowledge with you to get you started on your own journey whether you have never made a candle before or if you a complete candle addict. If you just want to make candles for yourself or want to Build your own candle business Jo can help you.

Jo has made candles for Luxury Clients across Scotland and London including Porsche, Waldorf Astoria, Pullman and Novotel, Canary Wharf.

THIS AWARD IS SPONSORED BY

Juulia Karlstedt ANXIETY COUNSELLING ONLINE Juulia Karlstedt, a BACP Accredited Therapist, has been supporting individuals grappling with anxiety and perfectionism through her private practice, Anxiety Counselling Online, since 2018.

With a unique blend of therapy, training, and business coaching, Juulia has now expanded her reach beyond one-on-one sessions, offering bespoke solutions to companies and developing accessible digital resources.

Her commitment to creativity and tailormade solutions has set her apart in the industry and she takes great pride in.

Finalists Businesswoman of the Year

Kasia Neilson FAYRE PLAY

Katrina Sutherland THE COUNTRY SPA

Kasia Neilson formed Fayre Play with her husband Craig in 2018 as Fore Play Crazy Golf, then earlier this year, they opened Scotland's first adults-only funfair games experience, with nostalgia, cocktails, street food and Instagrammable moments.

Katrina Sutherland is an advanced beauty therapist in Caithness, with a strong desire to promote a holistic approach to skincare and wellness. Having been a self-employed therapist since 1989, her passion for beauty therapy and knowledge of the healing power of the sea, led to me open The Country Spa in 2007, the first in Caithness and a place where people could relax and enjoy nurturing facial and body treatments using seaweed-based products.

Her vision, resilience and dedication to launching a successful Fayre Play, whilst maintaining a strong, dedicated team, should be acknowledged and rewarded.

SPONSORED BY

She also taught beauty therapy for ten years at The North Highland College and still enjoy sharing her knowledge and experience today.

Kirstin Strachan STEEDMAN & COMPANY LTD A highly motivated and high performing Director with the ability to deliver results in challenging environments. Regularly covered in press for efforts to assist female entrepreneurial businesses gain mentorship, funding and exposure.

Dedicated to growth, with a focus on exposure to VC networks and utilising HMRC's SEIS, and EIS schemes to support organic growth. Robust networks with angel syndicates and corporate finance to provide cash injections and refinancing or restructuring. Focused of scalability for both established businesses and start-ups providing mentorship, business advisory, strategy development.

Finalists Lifetime Achievement

Annette Gibson BAREFOOT ECO CLEANING LTD

Margarette Bryan ROXBURGH CONSULTANTS

Pauline Lockhart LATER LIFE CONCIERGE LTD

Annette is CEO and Founder of Barefoot Eco Group. Mother of 3 and grandmother to 3.

Barefoot Eco has many areas to its business, commercial cleaning of offices, restaurants, prisons & more.

Margarette is the Managing Director for her own business Roxburgh Consultants, where she uses her extensive experience in the retail industry (specialising in luxury apparel and accessories), to advise businesses on strategies for growth, covering subjects such as marketing, sales generation, property, brand awareness, inventory management, customer loyalty and event hosting. She also offers mentoring services.

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the tender age of 21, Pauline faced relentless pain and exhaustion while pursuing her education, eventually earning a degree and postgraduate qualification.

New in 2022 Barefoot Sustainability stores and Barefoot Eco Bistro's offering Local fresh produce. Barefoot are dedicated to our Environmental Goals and hope to achieve Net Zero by 2028.

At 28, she shattered gender barriers by becoming the first woman to hold the esteemed position of International Manager for men's golf in Scotland. Remarkably, doing this while concealing my disability, driven by an unyielding determination to prove herself.

Finalists Lifetime Achievement Susan Francombe BUSINESS OF BUILDING Susan Francombe is the Biking Building Barrister.

She has spent over 30-years in the construction industry as both an Engineer and a Lawyer. Her engineering career highlights include building a motorway service station on a rubbish tip and designing a camel bridge.

In the legal field she is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and sits as a Construction Adjudicator. She is an independent consultant that helps individuals and businesses communicate better, set up their projects properly and deal with problems quickly. She provides fair, no-nonsense advice in plain and simple language. She is also a keen motorcyclist..

Panel Member Spotlight

Paul Rowley

Paul joined Tweed Wealth Management five years ago, taking up the position of financial planner in the firm’s Edinburgh office. He has since established his expertise in the company, having been appointed director of Tweed Business Advisory in 2020.

Having built a strong reputation, Paul has gained immense recognition and praise across the industry, and has been pivotal to the meteoric rise of the Tweed brand. Most notably Tweed Wealth Management has gone on to be named the UK winner of the Excellence in Business Strategy Award from the International Adviser: Best Practice Adviser Awards.

It has also been recognised as the largest St. James’s Place Wealth Management practice in Scotland for the second year running.

The Association of Scottish Businesswomen (ASB) aims to be the voice of businesswomen throughout Scotland: linking, inspiring and supporting its members.

ASB was founded in 1995 as the umbrella organisation for a number of businesswomen’s clubs. In 2012, the ASB introduced individual direct membership to all business and professional women throughout Scotland.

We aim to encourage personal and professional development for business owners and women who work across all sectors and levels of experience and responsibility.

We promote business opportunities by way of sharing news, showcasing businesses, exchanging views, networking and recognising achievement.