Latest Saltire Fellowship round opens for applications

The programme is led by Entrepreneurial Scotland in partnership with Babson College in Boston, USA, the top rated business US business school for entrepreneurship.

The six month, world class leadership development programme is designed to immerse participants (known as Saltire Fellows) in entrepreneurial thinking and strategic leadership and provide them with the skills to scale a business and gain an understanding of global business.

The Saltire Fellowship includes a programme of inspiring visits to leading businesses in Silicon Valley.

The 2017/18 programme now includes a further two weeks of residential learning in Scotland, led by Strathclyde Business School at the University of Strathclyde, which is home to the Hunter Centre of Entrepreneurship, the Strathclyde Entrepreneurial Network and Entrepreneurial Scotland. Strathclyde Business School was recently named UK Business School of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards.

The Saltire Fellowship is ideally-suited for someone who is ready to take the next step in their career and to transform the business they work in. They can work in any sector, be within an organisation or simply be looking to embark on their own entrepreneurial journey.

Already more than 100 people have registered interest for the 2017-18 Fellowship programme. The all-inclusive cost of the programme is £32,000 and successful candidates are supported by Entrepreneurial Scotland to help secure funding.

The award-winning Diageo Learning for Life programme will be funding a place for a candidate from within the licensed trade in Scotland. The search for the right candidate is being launched and is being promoted through trade publications. In addition, leading organisations: LINC Scotland, the national association for business angels in Scotland; the Cultural Enterprise Office; and Social Investment Scotland are also backing the Saltire Fellowship programme.

Established in 2010, The Saltire Fellowship has an enviable track record. Over six consecutive years, 107 individuals have successfully completed the rigorous programme, creating 26 enterprises, more than 280 jobs and contributing an estimated £48m to Scotland’s economy.

Entrepreneurial Scotland’s Chief Executive, Sandy Kennedy, said: “The current landscape is changing both nationally and internationally. This is reason, more than ever, to have people working in our businesses that have a global outlook, a first class network and the knowledge and confidence to scale companies in Scotland and ultimately give Scotland a competitive edge.

“We know how transformative the Saltire Fellowship is and the new programme is designed to meet the needs of the businesses we work with and the individuals taking part. Working with Strathclyde Business School and Babson allows Fellows to get a deeper understanding and to apply there learning right here in Scotland. Our team is keen to hear from anyone who thinks it might be right for them or their business. Get in touch – this could be the opportunity that truly changes your life.”

Les Charm, Senior Lecturer of Entrepreneurship at BabsonCollege, said: “At Babson we make you think big and this programme is designed to change people’s lives by helping them acquire new skills and mind steps in order that they and their companies move forward.”

Eleanor Shaw, Head of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Vice Dean (External Engagement and Entrepreneurship) at Strathclyde Business School, said: “At Strathclyde Business School, we understand the importance of supporting high potential individuals to identify and exploit the right opportunity at the right moment in their careers. The Saltire Fellowship offers candidates a truly world class experience to become more entrepreneurial and to build a highly prized international network of connections and support that will last a lifetime.”

Applications are open until 5 March 2017 and further information can be found online at: www.entrepreneurialscotland.com/saltire-fellowship