News

Business Club Ayrshire members were treated to a fantastic night of entertainment and business chat at The Balgarth Pines. Shaf Rasul is one of Scotlands most prolific and successful entrepreneurs. A former BBC dragon online with Dragon's Den, Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, resident entrepreneur at Strathclyde Univsersity and weekly business columnist with The Sun. A prolific serial investor in property, asset management and technology. Shaf talked about his early days in business through to his current affairs with more than a few unexpected twists and histerical moments.

Donna Kerr, founder of DMK Finance, a boutique finance brokerage took us through her incredible story. From humble beginnings, 'the wee lassie from Possil', worked her way up to senior director level at Lloyds, Bank of Scotland & RBS. One of the many takeaway's from Donna's journey was her sheer endeavour and her compassion and understanding for her clients unique needs in an industry which is often so focused on numbers alone.

The event was hosted by Gav Hollywood of Wood Property Group. Gav spoke passionately about the opportunities locally in Ayrshire and his company proudly sponsored the event which welcomed businesses from all industries based and operating in Ayrshire and beyond.

Work is well and truly underway at Auchincruive. Trenches are being dug, drainage pipes being laid and complexed equipment is being calibrated. Despite the wet conditions, the team on site are working incredibly hard to ensure the project is delivered on target.

Jardine Simpson, general manager at River Garden visited the project today and explained, 'The Field Drainage System is an essential piece of infrastructure for our site and our access road badly needs attention to improve access to the Gardens and our Bothy Cafe for the visiting public. All this work would cost RGA tens of thousands of pounds but because of the amazing generosity and support from Business Club Ayrshire members, Smiths Contractors, St. Andrews and Drumclog Plant we look forward to these important works being carried out in March. River Garden would like to thank our amazing friends at Business Club Ayrshire.'

There's still a lot of work to be done but Business Club Ayrshire is proud to be able to give something back to the community and help an Ayrshire based charity.

This week, Business Club Ayrshire members were treated to an insightful presentation by architect Roddy Dunn of Thomson Hunter Associates. With 19 years of experience in the field, Roddy has been instrumental in delivering a range of high-profile commercial and residential projects. His expertise spans from large-scale residential developments to social housing initiatives, with a particular focus on the hospitality industry's architectural needs. Beyond design, Roddy excels in contract administration and project management, ensuring that architectural visions are realised through meticulous design management and practical detailing.

During his talk, he highlighted Thomson Hunter Associates' mission to transform clients' dreams into reality by providing tailored, high-quality architectural services. The firm, established in 2011, boasts a team of award-winning professionals dedicated to understanding and fulfilling client aspirations. Roddy also shared insights into notable projects, such as the new multi million pound training facility at Kilmarnock Football Club. His presentation underscored the importance of innovative design and client collaboration in architecture, leaving fellow members inspired by the transformative power of thoughtful architectural practice.

With our Business Club Ayrshire X River Garden Charity project officially kicking off, it's a great time to raise awareness of this charity and reflect on why it's so important to us and why our contributions matter.

River Garden Auchincruive's mission is to help people to leave behind their drug and alcohol addiction through 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 3 years they are resident, they are key partners in a model of social entrepreneurship, of education, of rehabilitation and the opportunity for transformative change. River Garden is exciting and full of hope. River Garden firmly believes that any activity, if carried out with passion combined with training to develop competence, can become a key for reintegration to society. It may be a young charity, but the signs so far are optimistic. Four residents have recently graduated and are living independently and working in their chosen fields. They all maintain close ties with River Garden and give active support to current residents as well in turn as being encouraged and supported by them. In January 2021 the Scottish Government announced a National Mission to reduce Scotland’s unacceptable drug death rates. River Garden is a part of that mission. Everything the charity has achieved so far has depended on donations large and small. residents do not pay River Garden and none of their places are state sponsored.

Business Club Ayrshire members have also been given tours of both River Garden's operations and the wider estate. We feel proud to have such a ground breaking facility in Ayrshire which is paving the way for methods of improvement in their field. The cafe and estate also provide a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere for a bite to eat and to enjoy some of Ayrshire's finest woodland. One of Business Club Ayrshire's core values is to work together to support local charities and support project's in the wider community. The club is looking forward to solving River Garden's drainage and road problems and supporting this incredible charity in the future.

The Bothy Cafe is open 5 days a week (Wed-Sun) 9:30am to 4pm. Serving fresh home-made soups, sandwiches, freshly baked cakes and scones with home grown River Garden produce. With the added bonus of daily specials and a seasonal menu, there will always be something new to try. River Garden, Auchincruive is located 2 mins by car from Whitletts roundabout at the junction of the A77/B743. At the roundabout, take the B743 turning signposted Mossblown and Mauchline. Go past the main Auchincruive estate entrance on the right and continue for ¼ mile and at the bend in the road turn right into the Nellie’s Gate entrance where the car park is located 50m on the left. The gardens and Bothy cafe are a short walk 150m down the hill.

The cafe offers up a tremendous range of training and skills development opportunities for our residents and helps fund the facilities.

Business Club Ayrshire kicked off it’s most ambitious charity project to date; Ensure River Garden are compliant with SEPA regulations regarding their septic tank and carry out essential repairs to the access road.

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. BCA members performed a detailed survey and engineered a solution which will not keep River Garden compliant today but is future proofed for years to come. The access road for the facilities and café has also been a major burden to the charity. BCA will also tackle a programme of repairs to ensure staff and visitors have safer and more comfortable passage. BCA will fund the entire project, with help from friends, as part of it’s mission to provide financial support to local charities and help the local community.

Following a lot of work behind-the-scenes, some BCA members met with representatives from River Garden for a pre-start before Neil and Michael inspected the road. Ground works for the project will kick off this week with completion expected mid-March.

Business Club Ayrshire members recently enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at Neogen’s Ayrshire facility, gaining insights into the company’s innovative work in food safety, animal health, and genomic solutions.

Neogen is a global leader in food and animal safety products. The Ayrshire site plays a crucial role in research and production, contributing to both local and international industries.

Members were welcomed by fellow member Steven and his team, who provided an engaging presentation on the company’s history, mission, and impact. The discussion highlighted Neogen’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

The event also fostered networking among members and Neogen representatives, sparking conversations about potential collaborations and shared challenges.

Congratulations to Andy Kerr who received the award for the Best Behind The Scenes Visit in 2024.

Business Club members recently voted for the best event of 2024, and Andy's trip to Glennon Brothers Sawmills in Troon won.

Thanks to Andy for organising. Looking forward to more member events this year!

Members of Business Club Ayrshire were treated to an enlightening and thought-provoking presentation by Derek Mair of Novo Leadership during the group’s latest meeting. Renowned for his expertise in leadership development and personal growth, Derek delivered an engaging session on the concept of “Duality” and its profound impact on leadership, decision-making, and business success.

Duality, as Derek explained, is the principle that everything in life exists in complementary pairs. When the mind has two paths, two ways, two alternatives for everything, it's been called the duality of mind. For business leaders, recognising and managing these dualities can lead to better decision-making and a more holistic approach to challenges. Through vivid examples and practical insights, Derek illustrated how duality plays out in everyday leadership scenarios.

At the latest Business Club Ayrshire meeting, members were treated to an engaging and insightful presentation by Brian Wade from Funktional Print, a local enterprise specialising in cutting-edge printing technologies.

Funktional Print’s presentation showcased the power of combining creativity with advanced printing solutions to deliver transformative results for clients. With an impressive portfolio, the company highlighted its commitment to both excellence and environmental responsibility.

The presentation was a testament to the talent and ingenuity within our local business community and the importance of the Business Club Ayrshire, where businesses can connect, share knowledge, and drive collective progress.

At our most recent meeting we were delighted to host two outstanding presentations from member businesses: Debt Collect and AWD Environmental. These sessions not only informed but inspired all in attendance.

Steven Little is one of the Directors of Debt Collect UK Limited, who specialise in Business to Business Debt Collection, litigation, insolvency, restructuring & finance. Steven outlined the company's streamlined, professional approach to debt collection, emphasising transparency, compliance, and respect. Members gained valuable insights into the importance of maintaining cash flow and minimising financial risk in today’s challenging economic climate.

One of our newest members, Aaron McIntyre founder of AWD Environmental also presented. AWD Environmental is a specialised hazardous waste management consultancy that offers COTC cover, technical support, training, and workplace assessments. Aaron showcased how they lead the charge with innovative environmental solutions.

The presentations demonstrated the value of collaboration and the wealth of expertise within the Business Club.