There’s something uniquely powerful about a room full of Scots, and friends of Scotland, coming together with a shared mission: to support each other in business, to connect with purpose, and to make the ask.
That energy was palpable this week as Scottish Business Network (SBN) brought our “LASER-Focused Ask” event to London, and what a fantastic night it was.
Hosted in the heart of the capital, this event reminded us all just how vital in-person connections remain, even in our increasingly digital world. The event drew together an inspiring group of founders, execs, creatives, and changemakers from across industries and sectors, all united by a simple philosophy: If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
And ask they did.
A Scottish Gathering Spot, With Tennents on Tap!
Our warmest thanks go to the brilliant team at The Shoap, a hidden gem of a Scottish café, deli, and bar that has quietly become a go-to meeting point for diaspora Scots in London. With Tennents on tap and shortbread on the counter, it’s a rare taste of home in the city. The Shoap provided the perfect relaxed-yet-professional backdrop for genuine conversation, unexpected introductions, and plenty of future collaborations in the making.
The Power of Three: Spotlighting the Asks
As always at SBN events, we spotlight a handful of meaningful “asks” - real, timely calls to action from within our community. Here's a recap of the standout three from this event:
1. Cath Strachan – NEXUS.SCOT
The Ask:
Cath, representing Nexus.scot, brought a compelling challenge to the room: how can we help early- and mid-stage businesses access executive-level thinking without the costs of hiring full-time C-suite teams?
Her answer lies in the fractional expert model, where experienced execs lend their time, brains, and networks to growing companies on a part-time or project basis. Cath’s ask was two-fold:
- If you're an experienced executive with bandwidth to support young businesses, reach out.
- If you know of a company that could benefit from this kind of smart, targeted expertise, connect them to Nexus.
It’s a brilliant way to keep senior leaders engaged while fuelling the growth of the next generation of Scottish-led businesses.
2. Josh – The Musical: Lauder in London for Erskine Veterans
The Ask:
Josh captivated the room with a heartfelt invitation to a one-night-only production celebrating the life and legacy of Sir Harry Lauder, Scotland’s original global superstar, in aid of the Erskine Veterans Charity.
The upcoming show, titled Lauder in London, promises music, history, storytelling, and laughter. It’s a tribute to a Scottish icon who raised millions for returning WWI soldiers, and a fundraiser to help today’s veterans.
Josh’s ask was simple:
- Buy tickets (and bring friends, clients, and colleagues!)
- Sponsor the night if you or someone you know is in a position to support the event further.
Find details and ticket links at www.lauderinlondon.com.
3. Steven Turner – NetZeroNation.Eco
The Ask:
Our final ask of the evening came from me, wearing his Net Zero Nation hat, or rather, his QR-coded t-shirt! As part of their next big step, Net Zero Nation is launching its first London-based Accelerator for businesses ready to take real action toward reaching net zero.
“This isn’t about greenwashing. It’s about giving companies a clear, structured pathway to cut carbon, reduce costs, and meet the demands of investors and regulators alike.”
Steven is looking for:
- Corporate sustainability leads or procurement directors with a mandate to decarbonise
- Businesses ready to join the accelerator and futureproof their operations
If you know someone in that space, he’d welcome an introduction.
Community in Action
While the spotlighted asks were a highlight, they were just the tip of the iceberg. Around the room, connections were sparked, challenges shared, and fresh ideas explored. The SBN community continues to prove that business done the Scottish way, based on trust, authenticity, and a shared purpose is a model that delivers.
Special thanks to Tweedie and Paul, who stepped in and helped facilitate the evening’s proceedings with warmth, humour, and total professionalism. That’s the SBN spirit in action.
What’s Next?
For those who missed this edition, don’t worry, there are plenty more opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re a founder, mentor, investor, or supporter of Scottish enterprise, there’s a place for you at SBN.
Make sure to stay in the loop by following:
- Our SBN Events Calendar: sbn.scot/events
- Our LinkedIn page: linkedin.com/company/sbnscot
- Our digital news outlet The Saltire Sentinel: sentinel.scot
We’ll be profiling more events, publishing updates from our global ambassador network, and showcasing the very best of Scottish talent and innovation.
Final Word
These gatherings aren’t just about networking. They’re about momentum. About creating a space where anyone, with the right mindset and an authentic ask, can tap into a global family that wants to help.
We saw it happen this week, and we’ll see it happen again.
Thank you to everyone who booked, showed up, asked, answered, and made this event one to remember. The future of Scotland’s business ecosystem is being built not just in boardrooms, but in bars, backrooms, and brilliant conversations, one ask at a time.