Episode Details

Air Date: June 29th 2025
Hosts: Sir Tom Hunter & Lord Willie Haughey
Special Guests: Andrew Donaldson (CEO, James Donaldson Group) & Laura Porter (Founder, Fab Salons and FAB Skincare)

Episode Summary

Tom and Willie tackle Scotland’s housing emergency, business rates disparity, and the future of clean energy. They’re joined by Andrew Donaldson, CEO of the 165-year-old Donaldson Group, who shares insights on solving the housing crisis through innovation and collaboration. On the ‘Board You Can’t Afford’ Laura Porter, founder of FAB Salons and FAB Skincare, discusses scaling a beauty brand post-COVID and launching a teen skincare line.

Timestamps & Topics

[00:01:33]

Housing Levy Controversy

Willie challenges a proposed builder tax.

Urges alternative funding for remediation post-Grenfell.

[00:04:10]

Green Energy Progress

Gren’s district heating project on the Clyde.

DFYNE named UK’s fastest-growing private company.

[00:05:52]

BuzzWorks Management Buyout

Kenny Blair leads MBO.

Plans to scale to £100M turnover.

Business rates disparity between Scotland and England.

[00:11:56]

Tea Fraudster Sentenced

Fraudulent “Scottish-grown” tea scam lands 3.5-year sentence.

[00:13:45]

Derek Pierce’s Expansion

New £15M factory in Bellshill.

Hundreds of jobs created.

[00:14:42]

Housing Emergency – Still No Action

Frustration over lack of progress since May 2024.

Urgent need for a national housing plan.

[00:16:18]

Nuclear Power & Energy Costs

Advocating for nuclear as part of clean energy mix.

UK’s high industrial energy costs vs. Europe.

[00:19:27]

Redundancies to Tackle Budget Deficit

Scottish government eyes civil service cuts.

Call for efficiency over taxation.

[00:22:24]

Guest Interview: Andrew Donaldson, CEO of Donaldson Group

Legacy & Leadership

6th-generation family business, founded in 1858.

50 sites across the UK, 1,500+ employees.

Timber & Sustainability

75% imported timber; 25% homegrown.

Challenges with UK-grown timber for structural use.

Housing Crisis Solutions

Donaldson Group operating at 50% capacity.

Advocates for standardised house types to cut planning costs.

Collaboration with Octopus Energy for zero-bill, carbon-positive homes.

Family Business Governance

Strong governance and decentralised leadership.

Preparing the next generatio