The Stirling Business Podcast

A career can pivot on a single moment. For Graeme Clark, watching his father’s late-career redundancy lit a fire to build on his own terms—first as a self-employed joiner, then as a sales professional, later as the owner of a 50-year-old wholesale brand management agency, and finally as the founder of Oakal Fudge, a handmade confectionery brand supplying iconic distilleries, luxury hotels, and far...

Starting a business shouldn’t feel like walking into a maze. We sat down with Business Gateway at STEP in Stirling to unpack a simpler path: begin with one advisor who learns your goals, pinpoints what’s next, and connects you to the exact support you need. From the earliest spark of an idea to the first hires and beyond, we talk through how hands-on guidance, practical workshops, and targeted fun...

We map how Stirling plans to turn momentum into durable local wealth through new sectors, smarter procurement and a stronger startup culture. Alan Connery shares what the council’s economic development team is building, from a film studio to an events‑ready City Park. • remit and scope of economic development in Stirling  • sector focus across manufacturing, life sciences, digital health and touri...

We chart Steve Cornwallis’s path from quarry worker to multi‑company owner, exploring how values, networking and disciplined bets built a renewables‑led portfolio and a new Green Skills Training Academy. Along the way we unpack painful lessons, practical wins and simple rules that compound. • early drive shaped by family change and urgency to work • 27 years of corporate growth and people leadersh...

What if a hotel room could keep a cancer support centre open for a few more hours, help preserve a coronation church, and fund a school workshop on the First World War? We share how our Giving Back programme at King Street Apart Hotel turns every occupied room into steady support for local charities across the Forth Valley. We sit down with three partners to explore the real-world impact. Lorna fr...

We map how Lumo uses open access rail to compete with airlines on price and service, and why a direct London–Stirling link can reshape trips for leisure, students and business. We also unpack the plan for battery‑electric trains and the role of local suppliers onboard. • What open access rail means and how risk drives value • Lumo’s one‑class model with at‑seat service • Competing with airlines on...

We explore how a regiment’s legacy, a five-star museum at Stirling Castle, and a bold 2050 vision connect with business growth, education, and community. The links between archives, schools, tourism, and the high street show why heritage can power a modern city. • origins of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and ties to the castle • why the museum remains central to Stirling’s visitor economy...

We dig into how Business Improvement Districts turn collective business funding into real services that change a city centre, from festive lights and free Wi‑Fi to safety radios and secure crime intelligence. Danielle shares her path from hospitality to national leadership and how Stirling is preparing for its next five-year plan. • what a BID is and how ballots mandate five-year plans • how Stirl...

Want a real‑world look at how a regional business community turns conversations into jobs, contracts, and momentum? We sit down with Lynn Harris, CEO and President of Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce and head of Stirling University Innovation Park, to unpack the systems and habits that make local networks work. From frequent events to national lobbying, Lynn shows how a focused chamber can be both...

Neil Munday from The Stirling Business Podcast talks  with the Lord Provost to explore how Stirling’s people, SMEs, and creative industries are shaping a confident, fast‑growing local economy. From community wealth building to a major film studio, we unpack how civic vision translates into jobs, skills, and pride. • career path from senior tax manager to Lord Provost  • Why SMEs are the backbone o...