Ambitions 2023 Programme

27 Jun 2023, 15:00

  • Online
  • Support

Are you a leader of an impact-led business with the ambition to enhance your skills and scale your business and impact? Our flagship support programme, Ambitions 2023: Supporting Leaders, Building Growth is kindly supported by the Postcode Innovation Trust and Baillie Gifford.

Our key leadership programme is back

Following the success of previous years' Ambitions 2023: Supporting Leaders, Building Growth, our specifically tailored leadership programme, is now accepting applications for its September cohort.

The Ambitions 2023 Programme is made up of two cohorts - Step Up and Scale Up. Using this approach has allowed us to reach both more established Scottish organisations and those organisations at an earlier stage of their journey – but that are by no means less ambitious!

As before, the programme will host a broad range of expert speakers, facilitating masterclasses on topics including finance, marketing, customer insights, story-telling and impact. This will be complemented by a range of core learning topics and group discussions, led by programme facilitator and SIS Associate, Rachael Brown. 

There is also an opportunity to apply for a £5k grant from Baillie Gifford.

Rachael’s knowledge of business and understanding of people is incredible. The seemingly smallest tweak can have a huge effect on a business. She creates a magical atmosphere where creativity flows. You know when a group just gels? With Rachael, it’s like that every time!”

Rosalind Romer

Director, Leith Comedy Festival

Is it time to grow you, your team and your business?

Strengthen and shape your leadership skills, guide and propel your aspirations for your organisation, and deliver impact growth and scale. Support your vision, lead your team and engage them in the delivery of it. We cover it all!

Our programme will ensure we give you, as an ambitious leader, the confidence, tools, knowledge and support through: 

  • Weekly online sessions of 90 mins for 16 weeks starting from September 2023
  • Tailored and impactful learning via one of our two cohorts – Step Up or Scale Up
  • Peer support and regular catch-ups with other enterprises in the cohort
  • 1-2-1 support for social leaders
  • Expert masterclasses focussing on business operations and your next-level leadership journey
  • Access to business grants for specialist support
  • Tailored investment manager support and finance packages – to support your future growth and scale plans.
Rachael

Programme Facilitator - Rachael Brown, CEO of Creative Entrepreneurs Club

Rachael is a SIS Associate and CEO of Creative Entrepreneurs Club.

The Creative Entrepreneurs Club’s focus is to enable creative and social impacts to be at the heart of our economy, which is now more relevant than ever. Rachael is experienced in supporting purpose-driven businesses and creative enterprises to flourish and grow. Rachael is an active female leader and is proud to lead an all-female team.

Rachael is our programme facilitator. Read her profile here

Confirmed Speakers

Throughout the programme you will learn from expert speakers who will share their journey and knowledge. Read about who will be joining us below:

Bayile Adeoti

Bayile Adeoti

Founder of Dechomai, a social enterprise empowering Black and Minority Ethnic communities with leadership and entrepreneurial skills so they can be financially independent.

Read Bayile's profile here

Fleur Emery

Fleur Emery

Serial entrepreneur, member of the advisory board of CREATE EQUITY and Official UK Delegate for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Read Fleur's profile here

Colin Hewitt

Colin Hewitt

CEO and co-founder of Float; software on a mission to make small business finances make sense with their online cash management and forecasting tool.

Read Colin's profile here

Leah Hutcheon

Leah Hutcheon

Founder and CEO of Appointedd, the award-winning online booking and scheduling platform & ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland and Entrepreneurial Scotland.

Read Leah's profile here

Mark Logan

Mark Logan

Chief Entrepreneurial Advisor to Scottish Government, Start-up/Scale-up Advisor and former COO, Skyscanner.

Read Mark's profile here

Ynzo Van Zanten

Ynzo van Zanten

Author, entrepreneur and former ‘Chief Evangelist’ and 'Head of People and Culture' at the Dutch impact company Tony’s Chocolonely.

Read Ynzo's profile here