Tag: The Hunter Foundation

Edinburgh smashes Kiltwalk record with biggest-ever Capital event

9,100 Kiltwalk Heroes raised funds for 800 charities

9,100 Kiltwalk Heroes took over the capital today in the biggest-ever Edinburgh Kiltwalk, with 802 different Scottish charities already benefitting from every penny and pound raised. The fundraising total stood at £1.3 million at 9 am, as 3,700 smiling walkers, many of them sporting a touch of tartan, set off from the magnificent Holyrood Park.

Another 3,100 walkers took on the 11-mile Big Stroll from Fisherrow Links, Musselburgh, while 2,300 embarked on the 5-mile Wee Wander from Victoria Park. All participants completed their tartan-clad journey at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium finish line.

The Hunter Foundation, which underwrites the Kiltwalk, ensures it remains Scotland’s most affordable platform for charities to raise crucial funds. Sir Tom Hunter of The Hunter Foundation joined the walkers in Edinburgh and paid tribute to their incredible efforts.

Sir Tom Hunter said: “This is a record-breaking Kiltwalk – Edinburgh’s biggest ever, with over 9,000 people. Every year, we continue to grow, which is a double-edged sword as it reflects the increasing number of people in need within our communities.

“But for every person in need, there’s a good person ready to lend a helping hand by taking part in events like Kiltwalk. Kiltwalk connects those in need with those who want to help – seamlessly and with a smile. Thank you for your Kiltwalk kindness.”

The Hunter Foundation surprised three charities by giving each a £5,000 cash boost during the ‘Happiest Minute at Kiltwalk’ giveaways.

Local charities River Kids, which provides clothing, toys, and household essentials to disadvantaged children, and Hopscotch, which offers respite breaks for children, were both stunned by the announcement just before setting off from Holyrood Park.

Later, at Victoria Park, Edinburgh School Uniform Bank, which supports children with essential school uniforms, was equally delighted when it, too, was awarded £5,000 to support its important work.

Pit stops along the route offered delicious snacks from Kiltwalk’s Official Supermarket partner, Lidl, and encouragement was provided by charities Cyrenians, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), and Marie Curie.

Fundraising manager for Cyrenians, Sophie Bell, said: “The Cyrenians team had an incredible time at our first-ever Pit Stop.

“The day was an invaluable opportunity for many lovely walkers to learn about the vital prevention work we do in local communities. Scotland should be a place where people facing tough times get the support they need before they hit a crisis, but right now, we’re in a national housing emergency.

“We are especially grateful to the amazing fundraisers who supported– every penny raised is helping us to provide essential support to even more people in crisis. A massive thank you from us all at Cyrenians for your dedication and support!”

Community and events fundraiser for SAMH, Catriona Wilson, said: “The SAMH team loved every minute of our day.

“We were grateful to have an incredible 169 Kiltwalkers who took part in support of SAMH, and it was really moving to spend time with them at our Pit Stop and hear their stories about why they’ve chosen to raise much-needed funds for Scotland’s mental health.

“It’s also a great reminder that being physically active is a powerful way to support our mental wellbeing. From everyone at SAMH, we’d love to extend a huge thank you to each of our supporters – the need for our life-changing services continues to grow, and your support is helping us transform lives.”

Every Kiltwalker who registered and fundraised is in with a chance of winning a car worth £30,000 thanks to Headline Sponsor Arnold Clark.

Lee-Ann Edison, Group Communications and PR Director of Arnold Clark, said: “Kiltwalk is an amazing charity that makes such a huge difference to communities across Scotland, and we’re delighted to continue our support with another fantastic event.  

“Edinburgh Kiltwalk might be the last Kiltwalk of 2024, but it sure was a memorable one! Especially for one lucky Kiltwalker who will have the chance to win any car up to the value of £30,000!  

“Everyone should be very proud of their involvement and the profound impact their fundraising will have.

“Well done to everyone who took part!” 

Royal Bank of Scotland, Headline Sponsor of Kiltwalk and Partner of Team GB at the Paris Olympics, helped ensure all finish-line meals were served in compostable pots, all rubbish was fully recycled and reused, and nothing went to landfill.

Judith Cruickshank, One Bank Scotland Chair, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The Kiltwalk is one of the highlights of Scotland’s charity and community calendar, and it is one Royal Bank of Scotland has been proud to partner.

“The events brings together thousands of people from across the country and the Edinburgh walk in the country’s capital was no exception. Hundreds of bank colleagues joined customers and the public to help fundraise for groups and charities which are making a positive difference to people across Scotland.

“Whether as participant, volunteer or spectator, everyone here in Edinburgh today has helped make it another success. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, its impact will also be felt for months and years to come.”

At the finish line, there was music, dancing, hot food, and novelty acts like tartan-clad stilt walkers, courtesy of Gold Sponsor Johnston Carmichael.

Kiltwalk is fully underwritten by The Hunter Foundation, enabling the Mighty Stride and Big Stroll to offer a reduced entry fee of just £20. Every penny raised by the walkers goes directly to the charities chosen by them, and they can claim Gift Aid, which can raise the totals by 25%. 

£5 million to unlock Scotland’s entrepreneurial talent

Support for start-up businesses

Extra investment to grow and nurture high-growth businesses and entrepreneurs has been announced.

The £5 million package will help deliver end-to-end support for Scotland’s start-up companies. It forms part of an ongoing to commitment to deliver on the recommendations of the Logan report into developing a world-class technology sector, and the Pathways report which is focussed on expanding the number of women starting and scaling-up businesses.

The package includes:

  • funding to expand the business funding competition Scottish EDGE, helping broaden and tailor the range of financial support available to fledgling businesses
  • the development of pre-start support, aimed at stimulating the earliest stages of business creation and product development for under-represented groups.
  • support to maximise the economic impact of university spin-out companies, and commercialise research
  • investing in initiatives that will attract the world’s top talent and showcase Scotland as a global destination for start-up founders and investors.

The additional support coincides with an announcement that Codebase, delivery partners of the Scottish Government’s £42 million Techscaler programme, are to partner with Scottish EDGE to develop the end-to-end support offered to businesses and entrepreneurs.

Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes announced the new funding as she visited the National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence and home to a number of spin-out tech companies.

She said: “Innovation is at the very heart of our economy. We have the talent, the skills and the facilities to make Scotland one of Europe’s fastest-growing start-up economies: an economy that is strong, successful and dynamic.

“This package of measures, which builds on the multi-million investment the Scottish Government is already making into our start-up business community, forms the next step in providing one of the most comprehensive government-backed support networks in Europe.

“The partnership between Codebase and Scottish EDGE also underlines our joined-up approach to fostering and nurturing Scotland’s young and vibrant business community. My message to Scotland’s innovators, entrepreneurs and disruptors is simple but clear: this Government believes in you and we will back you.”

Founder of the Hunter Foundation Sir Tom Hunter said: “Scottish EDGE is a proven, world class model of delivering finance to potential high growth early stage businesses and that has been independently verified.

“I am delighted the Deputy First Minister has recognised that and added significant additional resource to Scottish EDGE. When business and Government come together as they do in financing Scottish EDGE it can drive real economic growth by building the pipeline of entrepreneurial businesses, employment and the taxes that pay for public services.”

Entrepreneur and Investor Ana Stewart, author of the Pathways report on under-representation of women in entrepreneurship, said: “‘This  is a meaningful step forward in tackling the extreme gender imbalance which currently exists in entrepreneurship.

“I look forward to engaging and supporting the Government and other partners in enacting change whilst building on the existing momentum created since the publication of the Pathways report.

“Change will not happen overnight so I am also encouraged to see the adoption of a more strategic approach with a multi-year investment – a critical component if we are to tackle these persistent challenges.”

Search is on for Scotland’s next £1 Billion+ business

HUNTER FOUNDATION OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR SCALEUPSCOTLAND2.0 

The Hunter Foundation (‘THF’), in partnership with the Scottish National Investment Bank (‘The Bank’) has opened up applications for its second ScaleupScotland2.0 programme for highly ambitious, scaling businesses to join their next cohort.  

The programme sees 12 scaling businesses work collaboratively with fellow CEOs and leadership teams to supercharge growth over a one-year period beginning January 2024. During that year they attend quarterly overnight events for inspiration and action including masterclasses, focussed dinners and peer-to-peer learning. #

This year’s cohort have been supported and inspired by an incredible talent pool including: 

Professor Sir Chris Evans, Theo Paphitis, Kim Perdikou, Carolyn Jamieson, Ruth Chandler, Kristian Tapaninaho, Willie Watt, Lisa McPherson, Mike Reid, Yvette Hopkins, Bob Keiller, Mark Logan. Mark Beaumont and Calum Paterson,* 

The programme is hosted by Sir Tom Hunter at THF’s headquarters and leadership home at blairestate.co.uk. 

Developed after extensive analysis of the challenges facing businesses as they scale up, ScaleupScotland2.0 addresses the lack of strategic support available to high growth businesses and aims to grow the turnover of each business to over £100 million. 

Participant companies must be headquartered in Scotland with current revenues typically in excess of £20m, a record of strong year-on-year growth with the potential and matching ambition to achieve £100m+ revenues within the next 5 years. 

The programme is open to the CEO and Executive Leadership teams of up to 12 businesses. is cohort based and places a strong emphasis on peer-to-peer learning.  

On joining the programme, THF undertakes a deep dive into each business to identify and align the team on the specific challenges and opportunities facing the entrepreneurial leader, the collective executive team, and the individual functional leaders. 

One of the existing scaleup2.0 cohort, Richard Madden of WeConnect Energy noted: “The ScaleupScotland2.0 program has been a pivotal catalyst in our business growth journey, elevating our aspirations with an unparalleled network of trusted advisors and motivational speakers, forging invaluable links with fellow CEOs, and providing a gateway into the flourishing landscape of scalable Scottish businesses.” 

Fellow existing participant, Scott Smyth​, Founder & Group CEO of Soben added:  “StartupScotland2.0 has provided access to a new network of world leading entrepreneurs and business advisors that are already positively impacting the growth of my business. 

“In addition, I have got to work with and learn from an amazing cohort of other ambitious entrepreneurs each with a shared vision of scaling their business to £100m+” 

Sir Tom Hunter, founder of THF commented; “This programme is by and for entrepreneurs, a learning journey of unparalleled opportunity in my view that truly accelerates growth through knowledge and peer-to-peer support. 

 “The only way to move the economic dial in Scotland is to deliver far more scaling businesses and our portfolio of pre-scaler, scaleup core and scaleup2.0 joins the dots up to deliver some of that ambition so I’m delighted to host and sponsor 2.0.”  

Willie Watt chair of The Bank added: “The ScaleUpScotland2.0 programme aligns with The Bank’s missions.  We believe that a healthy scale-up support landscape is critical to enable growing businesses to thrive. 

“Ensuring that scaling businesses can access the support and guidance they need to sustain their growth brings productivity gains, high-value job creation and the power to transform our economy.”   

To apply CEOs should email scaleup@thehunterfoundation.co.uk

The programme is subsidised by THF and the Bank, with an additional fee for participants of £11K including all overnight accommodation and subsistence at Blair Castle and Estate. 

Applications close at midnight on 31st October 2023. 

Kiltwalk set to return to cities across Scotland in 2022

Kiltwalk Heroes invited to ‘save the date’ for physical events

Kiltwalkers will have the chance to put their best foot forward for the charities of their choice next year as the event makes its full physical return across the country.

Scotland’s favourite mass participation charity event will take place in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh in 2022, with a virtual version also going ahead to ensure the Kiltwalk is as accessible as possible.

In 2021 the Kiltwalk raised a record £8.4m for 1,270 Scottish charities at a time when many have been struggling to fundraise as a result of the pandemic. Every penny raised by Kiltwalkers is topped up 50% by The Hunter Foundation.

Paul Cooney, CEO, Kiltwalk, said: “After a challenging 18 months, we are incredibly excited to confirm the Kiltwalk will be a physical event all across Scotland once again. There is nothing like gathering together as a community, so we want our Kiltwalk Heroes to get a wee bit of tartan on and stride out for the charities closest to their hearts.

“This is more great news after a record fundraising year and we’d like to thank all of our participants, volunteers, supporters and sponsors for continuing to raise funds for those most in need at a time when they need our help most.”

The 2022 Kiltwalk will take place in Glasgow on 24 April, Aberdeen on 29 May, Dundee on 21 August and Edinburgh on 18 September.

They will be followed by Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk on the weekend of 7 – 9 October.

Full details regarding the walks will be published at a later date, with registration set to open in the coming weeks. 

For more information, visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk

TEN-ACIOUS SPIRIT!

Stars mark STV Children’s Appeal’s 10th birthday by taking on variety of ten-themed challenges

  • Appeal announces 10XChallenge fundraiser – with Scots encouraged to take on their own challenge or event inspired by the number ‘10’
  • STV stars Sean Batty and Sophie Wallace joined by group of 10-year-olds to launch new fundraiser
  • STV marks a decade of its charity appeal, which has raised over £25 million and transformed the lives of thousands of children living in poverty

The STV Children’s Appeal is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and, to mark a decade of supporting young people affected by poverty in Scotland, an exciting new fundraiser – the 10XChallenge – has been launched today.

STV’s Sean Batty and Sophie Wallace were joined by a group of 10-year-olds for a joint birthday celebration and to announce the 10XChallenge, sponsored by Tunnock’s, which calls on the nation to take part in their own challenge or event inspired by the number ‘10’ over ten days (10-19 September).

Weatherman Sean has vowed to take on a 10K run as part of the new fundraiser, while STV News presenter Sophie will challenge herself to try out ten very different occupations.

The six children joining them today – l-r: Robbie Sawatzky, Jonah McGinnis, Maya Barcella, Sophia Barcella, Lily Stevenson and Sam Couper – are planning a variety of challenges, such as cycling ten laps of a local reservoir and reading ten books across the 10-day period.

World record-holding cyclist Mark Beaumont will run 10K accompanied by his eight-year-old daughter Harriet on her bike, whilst comedian Janey Godley will take part in a hilarious 10-day social media voiceover challenge.

The STV Children’s Appeal was launched in 2011 by STV and The Hunter Foundation to improve the lives of the one in four children who live in poverty in Scotland.

Through various fundraisers and an annual telethon hosted by long-time trustee Lorraine Kelly, the Appeal has since raised over £25 million, which has helped provide food and warm clothing, created opportunities for training and employability, and enabled social and emotional support across the country.

Sean Batty said: “Where have the last ten years gone? I’ve been involved with the STV Children’s Appeal right from the very start and I’m constantly humbled by the incredible stories of the lives it has helped turn around across the country.

“Child poverty is still a major issue in Scotland though, and the pandemic has only exacerbated it.

“I’m looking forward to slipping on my running shoes in September and joining the Appeal’s many generous supporters in doing our bit to change kids’ lives.”

Sophie Wallace said: “I was quite wee myself when the STV Children’s Appeal was first launched, and I’ve grown up watching the amazing work it does for children in communities throughout Scotland.

“The Appeal’s charity partners need our help now more than ever, and that’s why I’m super excited to be taking on my 10XChallenge and raising lots of cash for such an important cause. I hope you can join me!”

The STV Children’s Appeal’s 10XChallenge takes place between 10-19 September.

Visit stv.tv/appeal to sign up and download a 10XChallenge pack with tips and ideas for fundraising.

Pictures: Kirsty Anderson

Business calls for inclusive debate on economic strategy

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF CONCERNED BUSINESS LEADERS

We believe the Oxford Economics report, ‘Raising Scotland’s Economic Growth Rate’ underscores the need for inclusive debate across political parties, Government, trade unions, business, the third sector and the media, indeed all concerned parties, to determine a new economic strategy for Scotland.

Radical and ambitious policy changes are required if Scotland’s economic performance is to be transformed and significantly boosted within the next 15 years and there must be no sacred cows as we determine those changes.

We must, as a necessity not a choice, address Scotland’s low productivity, poor business birth rate and lack of success with scale-ups that mean Scotland’s GDP per head is a mere 44% of Singapore’s level, 48% of Ireland’s, 68% of Norway’s and 75% of Denmark’s.

As the report states “it is not realistic to think that the current economic policies of either the UK or Scottish governments will produce a transformation of Scotland’s economic performance”.

Hence we must act now, in collaboration not conflict, to support and deliver a strategy that takes us up the ladder of GDP and drives innovation and scaling not just within business but across the whole of the public sector.

Achieving significant growth in our GDP is not just in every single persons’ interest, it’s an imperative if we are to maintain and indeed enhance our public services and drive the jobs that are so desperately needed post-pandemic.

We owe it to our young people that we create a vibrant economy for them to inherit and we need to be exceptional custodians of Scotland’s future for their sakes. To do so we cannot simply do what we have always done, tinkering on the edges, Scotland needs to think big and it needs to think fast.

Our opportunity is our size, we are a speed boat compared to the super tanker economies and we are a nation that has historically invented the modern world, its not beyond our ken to do that again.

We implore a rational, national debate on our economic future to then deliver a strategy and an operational implementation plan for Scotland’s growth. 

Signed:

Andrew Parfery,          Company Director,     Caresourcer

Andrew Wilson,          Founding Partner,       Charlotte Street Partners

Carolyn Currie,            Chief Executive,          Women’s Enterprise Scotland

Chris Van Der Kuyl CBE,          Chairman,                   4J Studios

Claus Marquordt,        Co-Founder & CEO,     Integrated Graphene Ltd.

Colin Blair,                   Chairman,                   Buzzworks Holdings

Craig Letton,               CEO,                            MRM Global

Duncan Maclean,        CEO,                            Candle Shack

Ellis Watson,               Company Director

Fraser Edmond,          CEO,                            Broker Insights

Kieran Coyle,               Company Director,     Premiership Experience

Liz Cameron OBE,       Chief Executive,          Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Mairi Mickel,               Company Director and Family Business Adviser

Marie Clare Tully,        Chief Executive,          Columba 1400

Marie Owen,               CEO,                            LS Productions

Mark Beaumont BEM, Athlete, broadcaster, investor and author

Mark Scott,                 Company Director,     Bella & Duke

Paddy Burns,               CEO,                            4J Studios

Philip Ross,                  Company Director,     Safehinge Primera

Poonam Gupta OBE,   CEO,                            PG Paper

Ramin Golzari,            Company Director,     Highlander Outdoor

Ray Perman,                Chairman,                   Inner Ear Ltd

Robin Marshall,           CEO,                            Bain Capital

Ross Tuffee,                CEO,                            Iceberg.tech

Sandy Kennedy,          Chief Executive,          Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation

Sara Thiam,                 Chief Executive,          Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI)

Steven Easton,            Managing Director,     Green Home Systems Limited

Sir Tom Hunter: Radical policy changes needed to significantly boost Scottish economic growth

  • Oxford Economics report for The Hunter Foundation makes case for transformational growth –
  • Sir Tom Hunter calls for collaboration over a national debate on economic policy in Scotland –

Radical and ambitious policy changes are required if Scotland’s economic performance is to be transformed and significantly boosted within the next 15 years, according to a report published today by Oxford Economics, commissioned by The Hunter Foundation.

The ‘Raising Scotland’s Economic Growth Rate’ report from the influential consultancy Oxford Economics is designed to inform The Hunter Foundation’s strategy and hopefully initiate a national debate with all political and interested parties in the UK and Scotland to help shape policy for transformational growth. 

The aim is to address such issues as low productivity, poor business birth rate and lack of success with scale-ups that help to explain why Scotland’s GDP per head is a mere 44% of Singapore’s level, 48% of Ireland’s, 68% of Norway’s and 75% of Denmark’s.

The report finds that “it is not realistic to think that the current economic policies of either the UK or Scottish governments will produce a transformation of Scotland’s economic performance”. Indeed, nor will they for the UK as a whole. 

It puts the case for policies that go beyond current government boundaries, and considers various options under three headings:

  • Increases in government borrowing to stimulate stronger growth in demand and output
  • Significant tax cuts and deregulation to improve competition and incentives in the economy
  • Large increases in government support for businesses, either directly or through increased spending on infrastructure, education and skills, innovation and the green economy.

It says these approaches are not mutually exclusive and, if there is to be radical change, there is a strong case for a combination of all three. 

Drastic change is clearly required as Scotland’s economy lags behind some other countries to such an extent that it would need a business comparable in size with Google’s total global output to bring its GDP per head of population up the level of Norway’s. 

Scotland’s GDP per head has been about 8% lower than the UK as a whole for many years, largely because of poorer productivity. Scotland’s business birth rate came ninth out of 12 UK nations and regions in 2019. The report forecasts that for the period from 2020 to 2035, Scottish real GDP growth will average just 1.3%. 

In terms of government support and intervention, the report recommends an ambitious industrial policy, possibly centred around Scotland’s renewables industry, tapping into its rich tidal, wave and wind resources. This would capitalise on the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference scheduled for Glasgow in November and would support the Scottish government’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions.

The report says “it is not implausible to suggest that there are business opportunities that resemble those that generated Silicon Valley, several decades ago”. 

By way of example the report also notes on the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB): “Given its wide remit, the £2 billion funding for the SNIB does not appear to be particularly generous.

But additional funding would only be likely to have an impact on Scotland’s growth rate if there was a clear focus on achieving that as a goal—together with sufficient oversight and transparency to ensure that funds were suitably allocated (and reallocated when needed).”

Sir Tom Hunter of The Hunter Foundation says: “It is for everyone in Scotland, from governments, policy makers and businesses to help solve the problem of poor economic growth that Scotland has faced for too many years.

“I fully agree with the findings of this far-reaching new report that radical economic policies are needed if Scotland’s economy is to be transformed. The report tells us Scotland would need to make changes equivalent in their impact to creating a business comparable in size with Google’s total global output to bring its GDP per head up the level of Norway’s.

“Moreover, we need far more focus in our economic investments not only to make significantly better gains but also to understand what’s working and what’s not.

“But that is only half the picture – we need to embed innovation in health and education and poverty reduction to free up finance to invest in growing our economy. 

“I hope the calls made in the report for more, and different, economic stimulation from governments, tax cuts and deregulation, and appropriate and targeted state interventions, for example in renewables, will be listened to and acted upon.

“I’m calling on governments, politicians of all parties, industry and interested parties to work together to pave the way for transformational measures that will give the Scottish economy the significant boost it needs.

“Let’s use Covid-19 to reinvent what our future looks like.” 

Richard Holt of Oxford Economics says: “The findings of our report emphasise the scale of change and intervention that is needed to address Scotland’s long-standing economic problems.

“Much is being done, but if political leaders want to close the gap with comparable nations, then they need to go beyond their present policy offers.”

Stars come out for Michelle Obama

Scots rockers Deacon Blue (above), soul singer Beverly Knight and ‘Would I Lie to You?‘ host comic Rob Brydon are set to play at Scotland’s largest charity gala dinner hosted by The Hunter Foundation (“THF”) on 17 July at the EICC. Five-time Olympic medallist Dame Katherine Grainger will act as moderator of the conversation with former First Lady Michelle Obama. Continue reading Stars come out for Michelle Obama

Schoolkids: meet Michelle!

THE HUNTER FOUNDATION LAUNCH SCHOOLS COMPETITION TO WIN TABLE AT DINNER WITH FORMER FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

In the Year of the Young People and in celebration of the former First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit to Scotland, The Hunter Foundation (THF) invites school pupils to submit a short essay, video, picture or poem on the theme: ‘If I ruled Scotland the one thing I’d change to enable more young people to succeed would be… and why that’s so important.’ Continue reading Schoolkids: meet Michelle!

Michelle Obama to speak at charity dinner in Edinburgh

Former First Lady Michelle Obama will participate in a moderated conversation at a dinner in Edinburgh on July 17th at the EICC with philanthropy and business leaders. Mrs. Obama is a lawyer, writer, and was the first African-American First Lady of the United States.  Continue reading Michelle Obama to speak at charity dinner in Edinburgh