Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray

In this very special episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray takes a sunny moment in Crete to reflect on the journey so far, and to share some of the best insights, most powerful lessons, and biggest turning points from over 25 incredible guests. From footballers-turned-financiers to business owners fighting for survival, from funding experts to accountants on a mission t...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with James Fleming, founder of The Power Within and a leading voice in motivational intelligence and leadership training. James’ story is nothing short of remarkable. From growing up in a Glasgow housing scheme, struggling in school, and finding work the old-fashioned way (via the Yellow Pages!)… to working interna...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Jim McFadzean, Head of Client Management at Lloyds Bank Invoice Finance, where he leads the team specialising in construction sector funding. Jim brings over 40 years of experience at Lloyds and offers a no-nonsense perspective on what it really takes to run a successful and sustainable construction business....

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray speaks with David Beveridge, Managing Partner of corporate law firm Macdonald Henderson, about his extraordinary leap from lawyer to law firm owner - during one of the most turbulent times in financial history. Three months after Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008, David took the biggest risk of his career: acquiring the firm...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Cameron Young, Partner at Business Partnership - one of the UK’s largest independent business brokers - for a frank, funny and eye-opening conversation about selling businesses the right way. Cameron shares his personal journey from family-run start-up to successful seven-figure sale and now into business brok...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Calvin Bannan, a driven entrepreneur and founder of CB Services Group, a fast-growing heating and plumbing business. Calvin’s journey is one of grit, growth, and transformation, from washing dishes and selling solar panels at 17 to building a seven-figure trades business with a focus on excellence and branding...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by long-time friend and visionary entrepreneur Chris Newlands, Founder and CEO of Space Aye. Chris is a former Royal Navy accountant and sniper (yes, really!) who’s now changing the world - literally - with a satellite tech platform that’s been called “the most exciting thing to happen in space in the last 10 years...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Chris Peace, founder of Peace Recruitment and now independent business coach, for a frank and energising conversation about growing, exiting, and what really matters in business. Chris talks candidly about starting a recruitment company in the depths of the 2009 recession, scaling it to 25 staff and £10 million...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Shane Lukas, Managing Director of AVN – The Accountants Network, for a straight-talking conversation about how business owners can finally stop feeling overwhelmed by their finances. Shane shares why so many entrepreneurs are left confused by reports, frustrated with their accountants, and unsure how to use fina...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Jamie Taylor, founder of Taylor Roofs and host of the popular Taylor Talks Trades podcast. Jamie shares his journey from apprentice roofer to building a multi-million-pound business – and the wake-up calls, mindset shifts, and financial lessons he learned along the way. From realising he didn’t “own a business,...

In this deeply important episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Nicola Campbell, Lead Partnership Manager at The Lighthouse Charity, to talk about mental health in the construction sector, business pressures, and the support that’s available to those who build the world around us. Nicola shares the heartbreaking reality that the construction industry loses...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by the dynamic Emma Ross, founder of Ross Commercial Finance. Known for her no-nonsense approach, distinctive personality, and deep lender relationships, Emma is quickly becoming one of the most trusted names in UK commercial finance. From her early days winning credit card competitions at the bank, to launching he...

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Paula Wingate, founder of Influential Minds – and a force to be reckoned with in the world of business coaching. Paula brings a rare blend of mindset mastery and razor-sharp commercial strategy, helping business owners scale sustainably, increase their profit margins, and finally get th...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Jordan Howard, Managing Director of D2 Integrated Systems, to talk about the highs, lows, and hard lessons of building a business. Jordan’s journey is one that many business owners will recognise – starting out with big ambitions, learning some tough financial lessons, and ultimately transforming his business...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with John Hillis, Managing Director of Blackhall & Powis, to discuss the journey from starting a business with little financial knowledge to scaling it into a key player in renewable energy and infrastructure. John shares how he and his team have navigated the challenges of rapid growth, why cashflow is the one...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Billy Farrell, CEO of Mayhem Marketing, to explore the mindset, resilience, and bold thinking needed to build a standout business. Billy shares his journey from a tough start in Glasgow to building multiple successful ventures, highlighting the power of authenticity, positioning, and refusing to accept limits....

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Chris Lawrie, Area Director for SME Banking at the Bank of Scotland, to uncover the realities of business banking, funding, and how SMEs can best engage with their bank. Chris debunks the common myth that "banks aren’t lending," explaining how businesses can position themselves for funding success and why earl...

In this special episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, the tables are turned as host Craig Alexander Rattray takes the guest seat to share his entrepreneurial journey, philosophies, and financial insights. Interviewed by the lively and ever-curious Gary Muircroft, Craig opens up about his path from a numbers-loving schoolboy in Wishaw to a business mentor transforming the lives of entrepreneurs...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, host Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Colin Hewitt, founder of Float, to dive into the essential topic of cash flow forecasting and its transformative impact on business decision-making. Colin shares his journey from running a digital agency to creating Float, a cash forecasting app designed to help small businesses thrive by providing clarit...

In this episode of the Know Your Numbers podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray catches up with his good friend Stuart Dougal, a man who’s no stranger to high-pressure decisions. Known for his years as a top Scottish Premier League referee, including officiating some of the most intense Old Firm clashes, Stuart brings a unique perspective to the world of business. Having transitioned from the football p...

In this episode of Know Your Numbers, host Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Steven Pettigrew, a business owner and entrepreneur who has experienced the highs and lows of running a family business and striking out on his own. Steven candidly shares his journey of navigating the challenges of stepping into the family business straight out of school, and eventually realising it wasn’t the right...

In this episode of the Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Laura Taylor, an accomplished accountant and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in helping businesses scale and succeed. Laura shares her journey from traditional accounting to founding Bright Flamingo, a modern, tech-driven firm. Together, they dive into the realities of business growth, financial forecas...

In this eye-opening episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Yosof Ewing, known as "The Contract Coach," to discuss the essentials of navigating contracts in construction and specialised trades. Yosof shares powerful insights into protecting your business against unfair terms and risky payment practices. From avoiding “sign-at-any-cost” clauses to standing f...

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, host Craig Alexander Rattray speaks with Rebecca Sutherland, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and mentor, who has successfully turned around several businesses. Joining the conversation from sunny Portugal, Rebecca opens up about her journey through the challenging world of business ownership, the importance of financial literacy, and the hard de...

In this episode of Know Your Numbers, host Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with former professional footballer and now funding expert, Lee Mair, to discuss his journey from the world of football to founding his finance brokerage, Mair Finance. Lee opens up about the emotional and financial challenges of transitioning from a football career to the "real world" and shares his personal experience o...