About us
Glasgow Business Club at a Glance
Connecting • Inspiring • Informing
Our Mission
Glasgow Business Club is a not-for-profit business club that connects, inspires and informs people from organisations of all sizes through our events, website and social media.
Our Vision
To be Glasgow's premier business club that offers the most value-for-money business events in Scotland with inspiring guest speakers.
Our Core Values
Code of Conduct
The code of Conduct is intended to enhance the core values of the Club.
Glasgow Business Club is committed to providing an environment that is free from offensive language, unlawful discrimination, harassment and intimidation for members and guests.
Members, guests and visitors are all reminded that an acceptable standard of behaviour is always expected, whether virtual, online/social media or at a Club Event.
Any person in breach of the code of conduct should be reported to the Club Board. It is in the interest of the Club that any such behaviour is reported, and members can be assured that the Board will take appropriate action. Inappropriate behaviour may result in termination of membership of those in breach.
Inclusion statement
Glasgow Business Club welcomes all members of the community regardless of culture, ability, gender, race, sexuality, religion, socio-economic status or age. We want to create an environment where people feel welcome, safe, represented, included, able to participate and free from discrimination.
Connecting
We connect with each other with integrity and positivity. We develop these connections further for networking, inter-company trading and friendship.
Inspiring
Our speakers are selected to inspire our members and guests with stories of their work, their experiences and motivational talks.
Informing
Our members inform others about their business, with three-minute speaking slots, our literature table at events and our website directory.
Our history
In 1986, Govan Initiative was established and, under the chairmanship of local councilor Ian Davidson, along with Chief Executive John Scally and his deputy Ron Culley, was charged with the responsibility for the economic regeneration of the Govan area.
One of their key objectives was to establish a forum within which the local business community, embracing small, medium and large-size companies, could play its part in the said regeneration.
Established in 1986
Originally known as the Southside Business Club
The Initiative team approached local business leaders with the idea of forming a business club, complete with an executive committee. Once this was decided upon, Eric Mackie of Govan Shipbuilders agreed to be the first President, with his colleague Ben Donnelly as Vice-President. David Bailey of Cardonald College became the first Secretary, Allan Haldane of John S Braid & Co the first Treasurer (and still Treasurer today), and Ron Culley of Govan Initiative the Membership Secretary. The Executive having been established, the Southside Business Club was formally launched by Alex Ferguson CBE, a true friend of Govan.
Eric Mackie’s term as President was curtailed when he found that chasing an order for two container ships for China meant that he and Ben Donnelly would be out of the country for lengthy spells. Govan Shipbuilders was very keen, however, to play its part and, accordingly, their Personnel Director Bob McCann took over the role of President with the full agreement of the committee. Bob held the Presidency for ten years and is now an Honorary Member of the Club and still attending Meetings.

In those early days of the Club’s existence, the energy, drive, innovative ideas and general assistance from John Scally, Ron Culley, and Jean Pollock, were a great encouragement to the Executive Committee. And when Ron Culley succeeded John Scally who departed to take up a similar post in the north-east of England, the business experience of Ron and the Executive was the additive required to achieve, in a relatively short period, a Club membership of 125 and to present, over the years, a diverse, informative and entertaining programme of events, capturing the imagination of local businesses.
In 1997, the then Executive committee, in a move calculated to expand membership numerically and geographically, decided, with the approval of Govan Initiative and the membership, to change the name of the Club from Southside Business Club to Glasgow South Business Club.
Like any other organisation, the Club has had to deal with the effects of the peaks and troughs of the Scottish economy, which from time to time impacts on the Club membership and finances. Today, with the continued support of Jobs & Business Glasgow (formerly Govan Initiative then Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency, then GRA), the Club will continue to build on what’s gone before, producing a varied programme of informal and structured networking and a quality of speaker and topic which each year seems to surpass the year before.
Changes in 2012
In 2012, Remo Pisaneschi, with the support of the Executive Committee, led a drive to be less ‘South’ centric and proposed to change the name of the club to Glasgow Business Club. This move was primarily focused on making the club more appealing to all Glasgow businesses and offered a hub for the members of the Glasgow West & East clubs that would cease to exist in August 2012.
Name change approved
Glasgow Business Club
During the summer break of the club in 2012, before the 12/13 session started, further discussions relating to the name change took place and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the GRA, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the Club. This move was a significant development in the club’s history and allowed the club to become the ‘Glasgow Business Club’.
An EOM was scheduled and the members were approached with the proposal to change the name of the club – by E-vote – to Glasgow Business Club. An overwhelming majority voted in favour of the move which allowed the Club to start the 2012 – 2013 season off under this new banner. Whilst the club passed a vote to become Glasgow’s Local Business Club, no formal meeting was held under this banner. From the re-branded launch event on 18th September 2012, the club will be known as ‘Glasgow Business Club’.
The present
Current members come from a wide variety of business sectors who offer a comprehensive range of products and services.



Members are encouraged not only to trade with each other but to recommend other members whenever they hear of a need. Through inter-company trading and mutual support the club continues to play a part in revitalising the local economy. Monthly meetings are held predominantly over lunchtime and there is always an opportunity for members to network informally. Members are encouraged to take the opportunity to make a 3-minute presentation about their business. Twice a year the meeting is dedicated to structured Speed Networking.
At other meetings, Guest Speakers address topics of interest to the membership.
The Club benefits enormously from the sponsorship and support of the local economic development company, Jobs & Business Glasgow. Additionally, we are supported by Turnkey Group Ltd.
Our Board of Directors is elected annually to manage the affairs of the club.
Glasgow Business Club Ltd has much to offer new and established businesses and looks forward to welcoming you to one of our meetings. It’s a great opportunity to have a ‘chinwag’ with your friends and colleagues in the business community!
Glasgow’s premier business network
Networking, sharing good practice and
doing business together
Glasgow Business Club offers:
- Free listing on our website
- Inter Company Trading
- Networking
- Key speakers on interesting, topical, relevant topics
- Information on commercial developments
- Contact with ‘Jobs & Business Glasgow’ and their support network
- Free listing on our website
- Inter Company Trading
- Networking
- Key speakers on interesting, topical, relevant topics
- Information on commercial developments
- Contact with ‘Jobs & Business Glasgow’ and their support network
Join today
To apply online for membership simply fill in our application form.
For more info please contact our Club Secretary at secretary@glasgowbusinessclub.co.uk