Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of our founder Robert Gordon, Robert Gordon’s College has been proud to follow the journeys of our alumni as we celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024.  This global event, celebrated in over 200 countries worldwide and with a reach of over 10 million people, recognises entrepreneurs from across the globe and celebrates their innovative ideas, creative thinking, drive and resilience.

The five former pupils we are showcasing have all embraced opportunity, demonstrate  drive, determination and spirit, and embody what it means to be an entrepreneur.

We started the week-long celebration showcasing Arjun Metre, Class of ‘91 who is Head of Sports, Media & Entertainment Investments at a private equity group based in Los Angeles, California, and is a Limited Partner & Advisor to an early stage venture fund.  With a background working with globally ambitious tech companies, Arjun has held key roles at Intel Corporation and Intel Capital, where he co-led the NBA-Intel Capital "Emerging Technology Initiative" and served on the Executive Board of the NFL Players Association’s "One Team Collective."  Arjun’s journey highlights the incredible accomplishments he has made in his career.

On Tuesday we brought Louise NcNab's journey into the spotlight - showcasing her career from corporate law into the science of gut health, leading to her developing her own gut health brand JERMS. Louise recognised the significant impact of gut bacteria on overall well-being and is dedicated to normalising discussions about gut health and empowering individuals to take control of their health.  Louise’s journey from boardroom to JERMS is an inspiring testament to the power of passion, perseverance and entrepreneurship.

With a pivotal role in the make-up of the Scottish and UK financial and investment sector, Wednesday's focus was Martin Gilbert, Class of ‘73, who epitomises entrepreneurship on a global scale.  As co-founder and CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management from 1983-2017,  Martin led the company to become one of the world’s leading independent asset managers through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.  Martin has held an abundance of Non-Executive Director and Chairman roles across a multitude of organisations and is recognised internationally for his experience in business and the financial sector.  In 2015 he was ranked 22nd out of 900+ individuals by Harvard Business Review in its list of the world’s top performing CEOs.  We are so proud to be able to showcase Martin’s remarkable achievements within such a fitting global campaign.

On Thursday we celebrated Laura Veitch, Class of ‘14, a creative and ambitious entrepreneur with a spirit for adventure and design.  Following her First Class Masters Degree in Product Design Engineering from University of Strathclyde, Laura has carved out an impressive career as a lead designer for UX Design with Natwest Group.  Laura has also launched several businesses which include a personalised products business and a roof tent camping rental service.  Laura is a passionate advocate for the power of wellbeing and believes resilience is not about avoiding failure, but bouncing back stronger each time. Ultimately, she believes that we all hold the key to our own success - Laura’s mindset embodies the spirit and determination of entrepreneurship and we are so proud of her ambition.

Our final showcase for Global Entrepreneurship Week is local entrepreneur Jay Emmerson, who’s local success with his “Milton Collection” of restaurants and catering brands highlight the importance of a strong foundation and ability to identify your passions and follow your dreams.  Jay's entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with his passion for the hospitality industry, has propelled him to great heights with Milton Brasserie, Milton on the Corner and Milton’s Little Kitchen. His success story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to the power of hard work and dedication.  Jay shares “RGC gave me principles that I have used to become an entrepreneur. Resilience and work ethic was instilled during my academic years and had an invaluable impact on my career and success”.

As we conclude  our week of celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, we are reminded of the incredible impact that Gordonians are making in the world and how the power of innovation, passion, and resilience can have lasting change in  local and global communities. 

Global Entrepreneurship Week was initially created to accelerate opportunities for inspiring young people to make their mark - the journeys of Arjun, Louise, Martin, Laura, and Jay are all shining examples of what it means to embrace opportunities, overcome challenges, and transform ideas into reality. Robert Gordon’s College is a forward-thinking school that fosters a culture of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking and  encourages pupils to think big, take risks, and pursue their passions. The pathways of former pupils showcased this week reflect the values that we instil in our pupils as we continue to look ahead to see what the next generation of RGC entrepreneurs achieve now and in the future.