On Thursday 1st February, Fraser Burnett in partnership with Treen, hosted the second instalment in the ‘Network of Tomorrow’ event series. Fraser shares some highlights from the evening and reflects on the success of the series so far.
It was fantastic to see some of the attendees from our inaugural event once again, as well as welcoming some new faces in the room. With the purpose of the event series being to facilitate connections between the next generation of leaders in the Scottish intermediary market, it is always a pleasure to meet with such a diverse group of professionals and to support them in building long-lasting meaningful relationships.
With sustainability continuing to be a central topic for businesses in the UK, we partnered with Treen, a high-end vegan fashion retailer based in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. Cat Anderson, Founder of Treen, spoke to the guests about her entrepreneurial journey and her passion for sustainable fashion. Environmental and social issues have been focal points for the fashion industry over recent years, and Cat is on a mission to lead the necessary changes in these areas that she wishes to see in the industry.
As the founder of a purpose led business, much like Rutherford Cross and the wider Livingston James Group, Cat explained that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. By ensuring that sustainability is at the core of Treen’s values, Treen has created long-term value for both their stakeholders and the planet.
During the Q&A, Cat emphasised the importance of businesses taking responsibility for their environmental impact. Ultimately, Cat highlighted that sustainability cannot be a trend and is essential for future business development. Her enthusiasm for this topic was certainly infectious, as it was evident that people in the room were interested in what she had to say.
Our Q&A with Cat was accompanied by canapés and drinks provided by Skua, owned by the talented Tomas Gormley, who became one of the youngest chefs in Edinburgh to be awarded a Michelin star. Tomas’ new restaurant, Cardinal, is opening on Wednesday 13th March. I have no doubt this next venture will also be a huge success, especially as the canapés and drinks were a big hit with our attendees.
As with our first event, the feedback received from attendees was extremely positive. Having now hosted two events across Edinburgh and Glasgow, it’s clear that the Network of Tomorrow event series is going to serve as a useful platform for building a stronger and more connected Scottish intermediary market.
Plans are already in place for the next two events in the Central Belt and Aberdeen, with our focus again being on creating a purposeful event, bringing good people together and, most importantly, having fun. Please get in touch with Fraser Burnett at [email protected] if you’d like to join us and be part of a growing network.