Welcome to the Scottish Business Network podcast. In this episode of the Scottish Business Network Podcast, host and SBN's Chairman Russell Dalgleish sits down with Doug Stevenson, the Network’s San Francisco Ambassador, for a dynamic conversation spanning continents, industries, and insights.

Doug shares his personal background and early career, offering a glimpse into the formative experiences that shaped his global perspective. The conversation explores Doug’s entrepreneurial journey with Vibrant Media, a pioneering contextual advertising company that achieved significant success in the US and beyond.

Now focused on CEO coaching and mentoring, Doug reflects on the challenges and rewards of leading at the highest level, sharing practical advice for founders and executives navigating growth and change. He also offers his unique insights into US market opportunities for Scottish businesses, including the cultural nuances and strategic considerations that can make or break international expansion.

Episode 101: Navigating Global Opportunity with Doug Stevenson

In this insightful episode of the Scottish Business Network Podcast, host Ewan Dunbar is joined by Stephen O’Donnell, Chief Operating Officer of the Scottish Business Network, whose remarkable career spans engineering, global tech leadership, private equity, and now philanthropy.

Stephen shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey—from humble beginnings in Leith and West Lothian to leading major transformation programs at firms like BT, Deutsche Bank, and G4S. With a storyteller’s flair, he reflects on:

Growing up in 1960s Scotland and the power of outdoor adventure

His transition from engineer to tech salesman—and the secrets behind great sales

Building a career as a “Renaissance problem-solver” across multiple industries

Insights from decades in leadership, innovation, and global business

His current mission at SBN: empowering Scotland’s global diaspora and giving back

Packed with wisdom, humour, and a healthy dose of Scottish pride, this episode offers inspiration for entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers alike.

Episode 102: Stephen O’Donnell on Engineering, Enterprise, and Giving Back

In this episode of the Scottish Business Network Podcast, we sit down with Charles Kergaravat, a New Yorker with Breton roots who has built a remarkable career bridging cultures, business, and innovation across the Celtic nations.

Charles shares his journey from Wall Street to Brittany, France, where he left behind a finance career to embrace a new life focused on tech, entrepreneurship, and community building. At the heart of his story is the Interceltic Business Forum, an initiative born out of the famous Festival Interceltique de Lorient, now connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and diaspora communities from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, the Isle of Man, and beyond.

Listen in for a powerful blend of heritage, innovation, and opportunity—with a Braveheart-style invitation for Scotland to step forward onto the inter-Celtic stage.

Charles Kergaravat: Founder of the Interceltic Business Forum

On February 28, 2019, the Scottish Bar Association of New York (ScotBarNY) held its inaugural TAM Talk in front of a sold-out audience at Nixon Peabody LLP.  The inaugural speaker was Jamie Kerr, one of the United Kingdom’s leading experts and practitioners in business immigration, asylum and nationality law. Introduction by Fraser Grier, President of the ScotBarNY Foundation.

29 Days Until Brexit

TAM Talks is a speaker series by the Scottish Bar Association of New York, featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs and legal experts sharing their views and experience on issues affecting Scotland and the United States.

29 Days Until Brexit

TAM Talks

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