News

At a recent Business Club Ayrshire event, Robin Barclay, Managing Director of Flamingo Exterior Cleaning, delivered an engaging presentation detailing his company’s growth, ethos, and impact in the community.

Founded in 2019 from the merger of two local cleaning businesses, Flamingo Exterior Cleaning has quickly become a trusted name across Central and Southern Scotland. Robin shared insights into how the company built its reputation through exceptional service, modern equipment, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction. From pressure washing and window cleaning to graffiti and gum removal, Flamingo offers a full suite of exterior cleaning solutions for residential and commercial properties.

The presentation was not only informative but also a reminder of how local businesses can make a significant difference through innovation, resilience, and community spirit. Robin's story was met with enthusiasm and an inspiration to entrepreneurs across Ayrshire.

BCA members were hosted at Dains Scotland in Kilmarnock for the monthly breakfast catch up!

A big thank you to Partner Neil Reid and the Dains team for the warm welcome, the delicious breakfast, and the insightful tour of their local office. It’s always a pleasure to hear from our members, learn more about their work, and strengthen the connections that make our business community thrive.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our open networking event at The Bothy, River Garden Auchincruive.

BCA Members Jordan and Roddy delivered a great presentation for visitors, providing insight into the club, members, the vision, charity work and how BCA is helping to support and grow our local business community.

Thanks to our guests - Kenny Neil, Paul O’Connor - Smokestack Images, Stuart Fulton – Fortress Security, Keith Fitzsimmons – Fitzsimmons Construction Ltd, David Smith – Smith Contracts, Stuart Johnston– Stuart Johnston Ventilation & Martin Hood – Hood Construction

We’re already looking forward to the next one!

Business Club Ayrshire is proud to support the ongoing transformation at River Garden Auchincruive.

Recently, members came together to supply and lay new gravel, helping to repair and improve the garden pathways used daily by residents and visitors. This hands-on effort reflects BCA’s commitment to giving back to the community and supporting social enterprises like River Garden, which plays a vital role in addiction recovery.

Special thanks to all the members who volunteered their time and effort. It’s a real testament to the power of local business coming together to make a meaningful difference.

At a recent Business Club Ayrshire meeting, members were treated to an inspiring presentation by Joy Gill, founder of Aligned with Joy. With a rich background in healthcare, Joy transitioned from a 20-year nursing career to become a McTimoney Practitioner and CranioSacral Therapist. Her practice emphasises the body's innate ability to heal through optimal spinal alignment and holistic therapies.

Joy's approach integrates physical and spiritual health, drawing from her extensive training in complementary therapies. She has a particular focus on supporting pregnant women and children, especially those affected by early-life trauma.

In 2020, Joy rebranded her practice to Aligned with Joy, reflecting a renewed commitment to holistic well-being. Her presentation resonated with the club's ethos of mutual support and professional growth, offering valuable insights into alternative health practices.

Joy's dedication to healing and her innovative approach to health care make her a valuable member of the Ayrshire business community. Her work exemplifies the club's mission to foster collaboration and continuous learning among local businesses.

Business Club Ayrshire members swapped boardrooms for barbells during a special behind-the-scenes visit to fellow member, Coach PT before their fortnightly meeting. Starting the morning with an energising group workout, members were reminded of the powerful connection between physical health and professional performance.

Led by BCA member Kevin from Coach PT, members were guided through a tailored fitness session that challenged both body and mind. It was a refreshing start to the day.

Following the session, members gathered for a well-earned breakfast and our regular meeting, recharged and ready to connect. A big thank you to Coach PT for hosting us and setting the tone for an energised meeting.

At the recent Business Club Ayrshire meeting, member Kerr Dale delivered an engaging presentation offering a closer look at the ethos and operations of Kaizen Electrical. Based in Ayrshire, Kaizen Electrical has built a strong reputation for its commitment to quality, safety, and customer service across both domestic and commercial electrical services. Kaizen Electrical specialise in complete home rewires and can quote for all electrical work projects throughout Ayrshire.

During his talk, Kerr shared the story behind Kaizen’s formation and spoke passionately about the company’s values, their focus on innovation, and how they aim to exceed customer expectations on every job, no matter the size.

Kerr also discussed the challenges and lessons learned while scaling the business, including investing in training, embracing new technologies, and building a strong, reliable team. Fellow members appreciated his openness, and the Q&A session that followed sparked valuable discussions about trade partnerships and local business growth.

His presentation not only shed light on the hard work behind Kaizen Electrical’s success but also inspired other members to consider how a mindset of continuous improvement could benefit their own businesses.

Neil recently gave an engaging presentation to fellow Business Club Ayrshire members about Roxburgh Insurance. He highlighted the company’s dedication to providing tailored insurance solutions for individuals and businesses, ensuring clients receive the right coverage for their unique needs.

During his talk, Neil shared insights into Roxburgh Insurance’s approach—combining industry expertise with a personal touch. He emphasised that their goal isn’t just to sell policies but to build long-term relationships based on trust and excellent service. He also explained how their team works closely with clients to navigate the often-confusing world of insurance, offering guidance on everything from home and motor insurance to commercial and liability coverage.

Neil also discussed the challenges and opportunities within the insurance industry, particularly in the ever-changing economic landscape. He highlighted Roxburgh Insurance’s commitment to innovation, ensuring they stay ahead of market trends to offer the best possible service.

By the end of his presentation, Business Club Ayrshire members had a clearer understanding of the value Roxburgh Insurance brings to the community. Neil’s passion for his work was evident, leaving attendees confident that Roxburgh Insurance is a trusted partner for all their insurance needs.

Business Club Ayrshire members pulled together to help Auchincruive based charity; River Garden. The charity provides a model of recovery that is refreshingly different. Not only are residents given much needed time to reflect on their lives and to grow and flourish, but they are given the means to do so through the communal support of their peers and their participation in on-site social enterprises over the course of 3 years. An approach and facility which is unique in its nature within the country.

River Garden were recently notified that they were in breach of SEPA regulations with regards to discharge from their septic tank which is crucial to operations. With funding already extremely tight, it wouldn't have been possible to have the necessary works carried out and the already financially stretched charity would be subjected to a hefty fine, leaving the entire project in peril. Business Club Ayrshire have stepped in to save the day. Club members have pulled their skills, resources, and time together to carry out required surveys, create detailed plans and drawings, and develop a solution. Using club contacts and funds to hire plant, machinery and materials and utilising volunteered labour from club members, a series of filtration trenches were created, and the charity is not only compliant with today’s regulation but also has piece of mind going forward as the project is future proof. Beyond the septic tank, Business Club Ayrshire have carried out repairs to the access road which was previously eroding and full of potholes. Tar planings were brought in, also using club funds and River Garden Staff and residents and club members grabbed shovels, rakes, and machinery to get the job done. The repairs will provide safe and secure access for residents, staff and visitors to the estate and café.

Jardine Simpson, General Manager at River Garden explained, ‘We are extremely grateful to Business Club Ayrshire for their continued support. Without such acts of kindness, we wouldn’t have been able to carry out the works.’. A spokesperson for the project added, ’We have such a powerful and unique facility here, in the heart of Ayrshire, providing a system with a proven track record that works for the residents and for the wider community. At River Garden, it’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about fundamentally changing people’s lives. The café and wider estate also provide a welcome environment for local people to grab a bite to eat, relax and enjoy some of Ayrshire’s finest woodland’.

Business Club Ayrshire is a group of local businesses allowing members to socialise, raise awareness of their companies and services, and discuss wider business issues. Membership fees are utilised to manage the effective running of the group and to provide financial support to local charities. The group’s core values include working together to improve local business and to support projects in the wider community. providing a platform and strategy for members to build relationships, encourage and support each other and develop skills to grow.

The total project value is well in excess of £75k. This is the largest club project to date and one all members and connections can be very proud of. The club is looking forward to watching River Garden and it’s residents flourish in the coming years with our continued support.

The club would also like to thank Smith Contracts, ST Andrews and Drumclog Plant for their help and donations and Sharon Dowey MP for her support.

Business Club Ayrshire’s septic tank project is really starting to take shape. During week 1, the groundworks team used the plant and machinery to excavate the soil and create the new drainage channels in accordance with the plans. As with most projects, the team also had to overcome unforeseen issues, problem solving on the spot whilst overcoming the Ayrshire weather and soft conditions underfoot. Importantly for the project, all work was carried out without any downtime for the water treatment tank itself. Continuous operation of the plant means no disruption to the facility.

With the new drains in place, week 2 of the project sees the team backfilling the ground and tidying up the field. Being part of the estate and visible from the road, it’s important aesthetically that the works look good. The location is also home to a variety of wildlife and plays host to visits for educational and recreational purposes. Upon completion of the drainage, BCA will be taking delivery of tar scalping’s and carrying out repairs to the access road. The access road is a pivotal part of River Gardens operations, allowing passage for residents and staff as well as café customers. The project is on target to be completed this coming Saturday with BCA members from all backgrounds volunteering to learn some new skills, chip in with some much-needed labour and of course share some good times.