Invention and entrepreneurship are concepts that are synonymous with Scotland. Scotland has a long standing tradition of producing world renowned inventors and entrepreneurs. The invention of the steam engine, television and penicillin can all be attributed to Scottish inventors and in this article I would like to highlight some of the most famous Scottish entrepreneurs of recent years.

Arnold Clark

Sir Arnold Clark grew up in Glasgow and joined the RAF in 1944, aged 17. He rose quickly through the ranks eventually becoming a Corporal and a Motor Mechanics Instructor. Upon leaving the RAF, Clark began buying and selling cars, and opened his first showroom in 1954 in Glasgow’s Park Road. Arnold Clark Automobiles is now the largest car dealership in Scotland, with over 145 car dealerships throughout the UK.

Michelle Mone

Michelle Mone OBE is the co-owner of MJM International and creator of Ultimo. She grew up in Glasgow and began her corporate career with Labatt Brewers. She rose quickly through the company and was running the Sales and Marketing department by the time she was 20. In 1996, came up with the idea to create Ultimo after wearing an uncomfortable bra to a dinner dance. Today Ultimo is one of the UK’s leading designer lingerie brands.

Sir David Murray

Sir David Murray was born in Ayr in 1954 and educated at Ayr Academy, Fettes College and Broughton high School. By the age of 23 Murray had set up the metal company, Murray International Metals Limited. The Murray Group has expanded to include a wide range of industries including property, call centres, venture capital and mining.

Sir Brian Souter

Sir Brian Souter is another famous Scottish entrepreneur. Sir Brian Souter started his working life as student bus conductor while studying at University. Upon finishing University, Sir Brian Souter began working with Arthur Andersen, a leading chartered accountancy firm. In 1980, using his father’s redundancy money, Sir Brian Souter established Stagecoach Group with his sister. Thirty years later Stagecoach is one the largest transport companies in the world with 13,000 buses, coaches, trains and trams, employing over 30,000 employees worldwide. Sir Brian Souter also founded Souter Investments and the Souter Charitable Trust.