Collaboration brings business lessons to the fore at Steven Bartlett event

Dragon’s Den star, Steven Bartlett, wowed a sold-out audience at Aberdeen’s Music Hall (Tuesday, October 24^th) with business lessons and inspirational stories from his rise to fame.

One of the UK’s most recognisable entrepreneurs, Mr Bartlett is host of the influential podcast, ‘The diary of a CEO’, a Sunday Times best-selling author, and the youngest ‘dragon’ in the history of the hit BBC programme.

Steven, who started a £400million social media marketing company from his bedroom in Manchester, was the headline act in Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce’s (AGCC) Ultimate Masterclass Festival.

The series of events, held throughout the year, featured internationally acclaimed experts across various disciplines and formed part of a six-figure investment to help repopulate Union Street with businesses and people.

Two professional services specialists helped continue the evening by welcoming guests for a VIP drinks reception. ZLX Business Solutions, a leading research and development (R&D) tax credit specialist, and independent financial advisor, Ascot Lloyd, were proud co-sponsors of the intimate event which gave delegates the chance to network and speak with Mr Bartlett in a more relaxed setting.

The companies agreed a partnership earlier this year to deliver complementary services to one another’s clients across the UK, whilst allowing each partner to diversify into new business sectors and regions.

An AGCC premier partner, ZLX is led by an experienced management team, including experts in legal, accountancy and technical disciplines, who identify projects eligible for tax relief and help navigate clients through the claims process.

In January, it opened an Aberdeen office – located at neospace on the city’s Riverside Drive – due to rising demand for its services from north-east firms in the energy, manufacturing and food & drink sectors, among others.

Stephen McCallion, founder and CEO of ZLX Business Solutions, commented: “Our thanks to the Chamber for creating this unique platform and allowing us the opportunity to engage with and strengthen our ties within the local business community.

“Aberdeen and the wider north-east is a key strategic area for ZLX. Our team is passionate about growing the regional economy for the benefit of everyone who lives and works here, while playing our part in the continued evolution of the north-east.

“Events like this play an important role in developing new and existing relationships, while the talk from Steven Bartlett certainly provided some interesting ideas and potential areas for innovation.”

Ascot Lloyd is one of the fastest-growing advisory firms in Scotland. The firm of independent financial advisers look after more than £11billion of clients’ wealth with 21 offices across the UK. Its Aberdeen team is based at 33 Albyn Place following the acquisition of Central Investment Services in 2021.

The company offers independent financial advice, encompassing pensions, retirement planning, inheritance tax, wealth management and corporate benefit solutions through over 130 IFAs serving more than 22,000 core clients.

David Melloy, business development at Ascot Lloyd, said: “It proved to be a fantastic evening and we were pleased to welcome many of our clients and partners to enjoy an unforgettable occasion.

“Ascot Lloyd is committed to growing our business in Aberdeen and we look forward to building long-term, professional relationships across the City and Shire.

“Our partnership with ZLX has been a great example of what successful collaboration can look like and we’re looking forward to continuing this over the coming months and years, offering a full service to each other’s clients and providing greater resilience to support their ambitions.”