In this episode of the Leaders in Business podcast, Marlene is joined by Sarah Boyd, Chief Executive of the Lothian Group — the organisation behind Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams — whose combined network carried an extraordinary 130 million passengers last year.

Sarah's story begins in Dundee, before a degree in maths and finance at Edinburgh University led her unexpectedly away from the world of finance and onto a Stagecoach graduate scheme that would shape everything that followed. Spending time in depots across the UK — including a memorable stint underneath a bus with a jet wash in a Fife depot on a freezing cold day — Sarah quickly discovered that the heart of any organisation lies firmly in its people. That insight has never left her.

After 12 years with Stagecoach, she joined Lothian in 2013, and last October took on the role of Chief Executive — overseeing the integration of the bus and tram networks, bringing together two distinct cultures under one vision, guided by Lothian's long-standing ethos: leave it better than you find it.

Marlene and Sarah explore what it means to lead with genuine curiosity and determination, the power of staying close to the ground even at the most senior level, and why Sarah actively welcomes the moments that don't sit comfortably — because those, she has learned, are often where the greatest growth lies.

They also discuss Sarah's IoD Director of the Year Award, the quietly complex feelings that come with individual recognition when success is always a team effort, and the surprising personal challenge Sarah set herself in her forties — taking up running from scratch and completing her first half-marathon last year, with more already on the horizon.

Warm, candid and quietly inspiring, this is a conversation about leadership, lifelong learning, and the very human thread that runs through every great organisation.

In this episode of the Leaders in Business podcast, Marlene is joined by Rebecca Rigby, Operations Director at Bluestone National Park Resort — a five-star holiday destination in Wales welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests each year.

Rebecca's story is one of full circles. Growing up immersed in her family's thriving hospitality empire — spanning pubs, restaurants, a hotel and a nightclub — she developed a formidable grounding in people, service and work ethic from a young age. But with a burning desire to spread her wings, she studied economics in Bristol before landing her first role at a German investment bank in London, trading on the floor during the turbulent days following 9/11.

In a male-dominated environment where she was once told by a senior leader that "no woman would ever make it on his trading floor," Rebecca chose to answer with determination rather than defeat — and proved him wrong. After several years in the city, she followed her heart back to Wales and rejoined the family business, only to find that deep-rooted generational expectations around gender could not be shifted regardless of her efforts. It was a pivotal and difficult decision, but one that ultimately set her on the path to discovering her own leadership identity.

From her early days at Bluestone, through to a senior commercial role at the National Trust navigating the complex balance between conservation and commerce, Rebecca's journey has been shaped by moments of growth, reinvention and the courage to choose her own direction. Eight years later, she returned to Bluestone as Operations Director — a role that felt, in every sense, like coming home.

Marlene and Rebecca explore the fascinating concept of generational pivoting — the shift between traditional family models and the evolving expectations of today's workforce — and the importance of creating space for both men and women to navigate that change authentically. Rebecca also shares her passion for elevating the hospitality sector as a destination for meaningful, long-term careers, and reflects on the possibility of one day building a family business legacy of her own.

A warm, candid and genuinely inspiring conversation about resilience, identity and what it truly means to lead.

In this powerful episode of Leaders in Business, host Marlene Lowe speaks with Amy Callaghan, former Member of Parliament for East Dunbartonshire and current Strategic Political Adviser at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Amy's story is one of extraordinary resilience, marked by life-altering health events that redirected her path from teaching to politics to advocacy.

Amy's journey began at age 19 with a melanoma diagnosis that opened her eyes to health inequalities in the West of Scotland. This experience, combined with support from Teenage Cancer Trust, transformed her aspirations from becoming a teacher to entering politics to create systemic change. She witnessed firsthand how young people with cancer needed greater psychological and financial support, and how many preventable deaths resulted from health inequalities.

After working as a staffer in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood—which she describes as a "modern functioning parliament"—Amy stood for Westminster and achieved a remarkable victory in 2019, defeating the incumbent leader of a Westminster party by just 149 votes. However, her time as an MP was immediately challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a severe brain haemorrhage that left her navigating Parliament as a young woman with an acquired disability.

The conversation reveals the stark contrast between Holyrood and Westminster, particularly regarding accessibility and support for disabled MPs. Amy had to campaign for the basic right to a proxy vote whilst recovering from her brain injury—an experience she describes as "resentful" but one that left a positive legacy for future MPs with disabilities.

Amy speaks candidly about authentic leadership, distinguishing between showing up when you shouldn't (which she did) versus being true to yourself by acknowledging capacity limits. Her cyclical grief over her acquired disability, leadership challenges during the pandemic whilst consuming information simultaneously with constituents, and the pressure of being perceived as strong when feeling vulnerable paint a realistic picture of leadership under extraordinary circumstances.

Now at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Amy works on the very rehabilitation programme that helped her regain independence—including the seemingly small but profoundly significant goal of being able to put on her own bra so she could wear power suits in Parliament. The programme challenges outdated scientific evidence about stroke recovery timelines, proving that neuroplasticity continues far longer than previously believed.

The episode concludes with Amy's passionate call to protect democracy, encouraging listeners to research candidates thoroughly, align votes with personal values, and actively lobby their elected representatives. Her message is clear: every vote counts, and democracy requires active participation, not passive observation.

In this captivating episode of Leaders in Business, host Marlene Lowe discovers an unexpected connection with guest Hamish Taylor—both with roots in Zambia's Copper Belt, setting the stage for a conversation filled with personal insights and professional wisdom. Hamish's remarkable career journey spans from Procter & Gamble's rigorous brand management training to transforming customer experience across British Airways, Eurostar, and Sainsbury's Bank.

Hamish's story begins with his education at St Andrews University and an MBA in America during the early days when MBAs weren't popular in Europe. His first claim to fame was becoming "the UK's leading expert on housewives' toilet cleaning habits" at Procter & Gamble—an experience that taught him the fundamental principle that would define his career: it's not about your product, it's about the customer benefit.

The conversation reveals how Hamish thrived as "the outsider"—the non-banker running a bank, the non-railwayman running a railway. His philosophy centres on the Procter & Gamble principle of customer benefit over product features, which he brilliantly demonstrated at British Airways with the "arrive ready for business" promise that revolutionised business class travel with innovations like arrival lounges and pre-flight dining.

Hamish candidly discusses his career transitions, admitting he "gets bored easily" and explaining how each move taught him that technical brilliance isn't enough—the missing piece is always putting the customer at the centre. His turnaround experiences at Eurostar (starting with a £206 million loss, no service due to Channel Tunnel fire, and striking French workers) and Sainsbury's Bank showcase his ability to transform product-led organisations into customer-centric businesses.

The episode explores three levels of customer experience: product quality, customer experience, and emotional connection. Hamish argues that whilst product competence is essential, true differentiation comes from how you make customers feel—citing Disney's "magical surprises" and Starbucks' experience-driven success.

Personal insights emerge as Hamish reveals his biggest weaknesses: not being tough enough and struggling with managing upwards, which ultimately led him to leave corporate life for consulting and speaking.

The discussion touches on recruitment philosophy, the importance of passion in work, and the challenge of institutional memory loss when experienced leaders leave organisations. Hamish advocates for thinking beyond job titles to focus on the benefits others receive from your expertise, embodying his core principle that "everything we ever do is about somebody else's success.

In this deeply personal episode of Leaders in Business, host Marlene Lowe sits down with her close friend and colleague, Professor Sonia Aitken, CEO of Pain Association Scotland and Visiting Professor at York St John University. What begins as a conversation between friends reveals the extraordinary journey of a leader who transformed multiple redundancies into resilience and found her true calling in the third sector.

Sonia's story starts with teenage rebellion—defying her mother's wishes to pursue higher education when banking seemed like the "safe" career choice. Her path took her through export sales, banking, insurance, and multiple redundancies that she now recognises as building blocks of resilience. Each setback became a stepping stone, ultimately leading her to Pain Association Scotland 15 years ago, where she's transformed from administrator to CEO.

The conversation explores the myth that charities don't need to operate like businesses, with Sonia passionately arguing that sound business practices are essential for third sector survival. As both women share a commitment to running organisations with business rigour whilst maintaining heart-centred missions, their friendship exemplifies how professional networks can evolve into meaningful personal connections.

Sonia candidly discusses her reputation as an "ice queen" in previous roles, revealing how passion for results can be misinterpreted as coldness. She advocates for situational leadership—adapting style based on context whilst never losing authenticity. Her recent appointment as Visiting Professor demonstrates how expertise gained through lived experience can enhance academic learning.

The episode tackles the unique challenges facing charity leaders today, from government bureaucracy to the dilution of chronic pain within broader "long-term conditions" categories. Sonia's frustration with unnecessary obstacles and lack of common sense in systems resonates as she advocates for more sensible, passion-driven leadership across all sectors.

In this captivating episode of Leaders in Business, host Marlene Lowe interviews Julie Ashworth, Chair of the Institute of Directors for Scotland. Julie shares her unconventional career path from filling shelves at Tesco to leading organizations across multiple sectors. Her story takes a dramatic turn when she left corporate life to participate in the Round the World yacht race—despite not being able to swim or sail.

Julie's career spans retail giants like Tesco, Liberty of London, and Marks & Spencer, as well as IBM's transition from hardware to professional services. Throughout her journey, she founded Broadreach, a leadership consultancy, whilst simultaneously holding executive roles. Her leadership philosophy centres on leaving people better than you found them and championing others when they're not in the room.

The conversation explores themes of career transitions, the importance of networks, giving back to communities, and the evolving nature of leadership across generations. Julie reflects on succession planning challenges and how five generations currently exist in today's workplace, with 70% of senior leadership positions held by baby boomers whilst younger generations bring different expectations and communication preferences.

In this episode of Leaders in Business, host Marlene Lowe sits down with Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose, humility, and fierce competence. From her early days in student politics to the halls of the Scottish Parliament and into the heart of third sector leadership, Jane-Claire shares the twists, turns, and mentors that shaped her path.

They discuss the value of consistency over charisma, building legacy beyond ego, and the often-overlooked power of stepping back. With reflections on personal growth, navigating imposter moments, and the unexpected leadership tool of a great playlist, this conversation offers a grounded yet inspiring take on what it means to lead well—and to live a life that’s fully your own.

Three Reflections to Take With You

As we close this conversation, here are three powerful reflections that Jane-Claire encourages us all to consider:

1. Know Your Compass

   You won’t always get to work in perfect alignment with your values—but you must know what they are. Understanding your stretch points helps you make better decisions and stay anchored in what truly matters.

2. Read Widely, Think Deeply

   Whether it’s the back of a cereal box or a complex autobiography, reading invites you into other worlds and perspectives. The broader your input, the richer your thinking.

3. Build Your Leadership Playlist

   Everyone needs a personal soundtrack—a few songs that lift you, energise you, and remind you who you are when the stakes are high. Curate it, use it, and let it power you through the moments that matter.

In this thought-provoking episode of Leaders in Business, Marlene Lowe sits down with John McMorris, Director of Business Development at the Scottish Qualifications Authority, for a conversation that traverses continents, career paths, and the deeper purpose of leadership. From the semiconductor floors of Japan to the educational corridors of Sri Lanka, John’s journey is defined by curiosity, adaptability, and a profound respect for culture.

What unfolds is a masterclass in global business development—anchored not just in strategy, but in humanity. John shares how honour, presence, and long-term thinking have shaped his approach to leadership and helped forge trust across borders. He speaks candidly about the tensions between risk and growth, the subtle art of cultural integration, and why education must be seen as a global currency—one that empowers movement, opportunity, and equity.

This episode is rich with insight for anyone who leads, who learns, or who believes in building something that will outlast them. With humility and clarity, John reflects on the responsibilities of being a director, the lessons he’s drawn from global travel, and the joy of watching small ideas become legacy projects.

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead across cultures, bridge business with meaning, or plant seeds you may never see bloom—this one’s for you.