Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce

12/06/2026

Fantastic to see everyone at Hub Club this morning!👏🏻

So many brilliant conversations both before and after the roundtable discussion. One of the things that makes these events so valuable is the diverse range of businesses represented in the room, bringing together a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and expertise. The fantastic advice, insights, and support shared between members are a hallmark of our events and a real testament to the strength and collaborative spirit of our business community!

We look forward to welcoming you to future events. Please remember that even if an event is fully booked, you can still register to be added to the waiting list.

View all upcoming events here: https://forthvalleychamber.co.uk/events/

04/05/2026

What a brilliant evening at Stirling’s Culture Night on Friday!

The city centre was full of life, with a fantastic mix of performances, creative showcases, and a real sense of community spirit. Around every corner there was something new to discover - from live music to interactive experiences.

Alison Bell, it was an absolute pleasure to hear you perform with the Tolbooth Choir, and Islay Carmichael, your passion when speaking about the work of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and the role King Street Apart Hotel plays in supporting ongoing fundraising – inspiring!

It was also great to see so many Forth Valley Chamber members involved - hosting, performing, and helping bring the whole evening together. A perfect example of what can be achieved when local businesses and creatives collaborate.

Huge credit to everyone at for making it happen — Jillan & Fiona, you and your teams should be incredibly proud!

Already looking forward to next year! 👏

24/04/2026

What a fantastic morning at Forth Valley Chamber at Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

Another brilliant session filled with insight, inspiration, and real community impact!

Community truly sits at the heart of everything CRT does. Their work across former coalfield communities is all about creating opportunities, improving lives, and helping people reach their full potential - and it’s incredible to have such an impactful organisation right on our doorstep!

From tackling health inequalities to boosting skills, supporting jobs, and driving climate action, their mission-led approach is making real, lasting change where it’s needed most.

Some of their amazing programmes include:
• CRT Engage – supporting people into better health, skills, and employment
• CRT Game On – using sport to inspire and transform lives
• CRT Hubs – creating welcoming spaces for community support
• CRT Place – focused, local action where it matters most
• CRT Support – helping community organisations thrive
• CRT Together – working alongside Macmillan Cancer Support to ensure no one faces cancer alone

A huge thank you to Pauline Grandison and the team for sharing their passion and dedication - it really shone through!

And yes… some of you may have spotted a certain familiar face!

While Dolly Parton didn’t quite make a guest appearance, we loved hearing about CRT’s connection to her incredible Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library - inspiring a love of reading for children across the world. An initiative rooted in something so personal, now making a global impact – just amazing!

To top it all off, their base in Kincardine (just over the bridge!) offers fantastic hot-desking and conference facilities - definitely worth checking out.

Another inspiring reminder of the power of community and collaboration!

17/04/2026

What a fantastic start to 2026 for the Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce!

Our first quarter of 2026 has been packed with energy, connection, and inspiration:

- Kicked off the year with three Member Spotlight podcasts, celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of our incredible members.

- Fiona Ritchie, Amrit Dhillon, and Karen Somerville.

- We delivered 14 engaging business events, covering everything from Neurodiversity in the Workplace and Making Tax Digital, to an insightful and memorable tour at Falkirk Distillery.

- An amazing 360 members joined us across these events - a testament to the strength and collaboration within our network.

- We also welcomed 23 new members to the Chamber, including the iconic Stirling Highland Hotel and the stunning Brucefield Estate.

Thank you to all our members for making Q1 such a success. Here’s to even more growth, collaboration, and opportunity in the months ahead!

27/03/2026

27/02/2026

In our next Member Spotlight, we speak with Amrit Dhillon, founder of Candied Ice Cream Parlours. Amrit reflects on the story behind his ever-growing sweet venture, his passion for helping young people into employment, and his lifelong mission to raise vital funds for Strathcarron Hospice - a charity very close to his heart - along with other important causes. You might even discover his favourite ice cream flavour too!

Listen now on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rmaFsog6E5ZXa0JwOpSgX?si=q8NMNskIRiCBIdBWQzh4TA

27/02/2026

In our next Member Spotlight, we speak with Amrit Dhillon, founder of Candied Ice Cream Parlours. Amrit reflects on the story behind his ever-growing sweet venture, his passion for helping young people into employment, and his lifelong mission to raise vital funds for Strathcarron Hospice - a charity very close to his heart - along with other important causes. You might even discover his favourite ice cream flavour too! 🍨

Listen now on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rmaFsog6E5ZXa0JwOpSgX?si=q8NMNskIRiCBIdBWQzh4TA

27/02/2026

Another fantastic start to Friday with our monthly Let’s Network event!

A huge thank you to Ros and Gary, the new owners of The Golden Lion Hotel, for hosting us this morning and for setting the bar high with an extremely delicious breakfast! From mocktails to smoothies, bacon muffins to granola pots we had a feast!

For over 200 years, The Golden Lion has stood at the heart of Stirling, its grand stone entrance welcoming generations of travellers – including royalty and Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. Rich in history yet thoughtfully modernised, this independently owned hotel is a proud custodian of traditional Scottish hospitality. With 66 characterful rooms and the elegant Regency Ballroom, it perfectly blends historic charm with contemporary comfort.

A true Stirlingshire landmark, The Golden Lion continues to celebrate its heritage in every detail – including the famous visit by Robert Burns in August 1787, when he penned “Stirling Lines” on a window pane, a story still woven into the hotel’s legacy today.

Lots of more events planned over the next few months – get signed up now and remember if any are sold out, please still register to be added to the waiting list!
https://forthvalleychamber.co.uk/events/

18/02/2026

What should Scotland’s next government prioritise for business? Investment, tax, skills, infrastructure, your response helps us make the case directly to decision-makers. Complete the Quarterly Economic Indicator and shape the debate:

https://bit.ly/fvc-social-qei-q1-2026

30/01/2026

Our first Let’s Network Forth Valley event of 2026 kicked off at Chamber member United Auctions – and what a fantastic venue to have right on our doorstep!

We were delighted to be joined by Christopher Sharp, CEO of United Auctions, who shared the company’s remarkable history and some fascinating livestock facts.

Did you know? 🐄🐑
• United Auctions’ roots date back to 1858, when agricultural surveyors and estate agents Macdonald & McCallum first began trading livestock on behalf of farmers
• The business has evolved through many stages, including a FTSE AIM listing and two management buyouts
• Group turnover now exceeds £300 million
• Each year, they sell around 120,000 cattle and 850,000 sheep
• In April 2025, United Auctions transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust, securing long-term success while giving employees a stronger voice and indirect stake in the business
• They operate auction marts across Scotland, including Tiree, Islay, South Uist and Oban
• They auction both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales
• United Auctions works with more than 18,000 customers across the UK and Europe annually
• Record-breaking sales include:
– 60,000 guineas for an Aberdeen-Angus bull (1963 – still unbeaten!)
– 100,000 guineas for a Charolais pedigree bull
– £200,000 for a Blackface ram lamb in Dalmally (October 2020)
The morning was topped off with a fantastic tour of the iconic Bullring, exhibition hall and penning areas.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and to United Auctions for being such wonderful hosts – the bacon rolls and pastries were very much appreciated!