Members-only Focus Dinner with Bill Scott, CEO of Wilton Group

Prepare for a blast through two decades of one of the North East’s fastest growing businesses as we enter the competitive, highly driven and relentlessly energetic world of Bill Scott, co-founder of The Wilton Group.

Guests cannot fail but be caught up by Bill’s unfettered enthusiasm, unabashed determination and absolute skill in building what is now an £85m turnover business from nothing.

And while many may retreat to their beds afterwards, Bill himself is likely to carry on working until 2am, waking before his alarm goes off at 5.30am and raring to go for another day in his phenomenal business.

Established in 1994 as Wilton Engineering Services (WES) in Port Clarence, Middlesbrough, the group employs more than 600 people at bases in Teesside (where it has created one of the biggest fabrication sites in the UK), Aberdeen, Dundee, Great Yarmouth and, most recently, Rio de Janeiro. Last December it announced the creation of a further 250 jobs after winning a multi-million fabrication contract with energy giant ConocoPhillips.

As passionate about giving money away as making it, Bill set up a charitable fund at Wilton, takes part in charity events like the Great North Run and is a patron of the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, a group of business leaders determined to put money back into the community.

He was just 17 when he vowed to set up his own company but had the foresight to go out and get some experience first – and that included working on his leadership skills. As an 18-year-old apprentice he asked to see the managing director of the engineering company he worked for and politely suggested the firm should spruce up its image. Bill was tasked with rebranding the business.

He gained more experience in a number of senior positions until, in 1994, he teamed up with business partner Steve Glenn to set up WES, providing fabrication and site support to the offshore and petrochemical sectors.

The Wilton Group, as it became, now includes Universal Coatings and Wilton Marine Services. In 2008 they acquired PD&MS in Aberdeen, which now also has offices on Teesside. Further acquisitions are inevitable and Bill also sees the nuclear and renewable sectors as holding significant opportunities for the group going forward.

Bill was honoured with Investor Director award by the Institute of Directors’ North East’s Business Leaders while WES was named fastest growing large business in the 2011 Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 Awards.

From justifying top bosses’ salaries to seeking perfection, from his passion for the North East to the return of steel making on Teesside, there will be plenty to debate, entertain and inspire over dinner. An evening not to be missed.

This is a members-only dinner and is charged at £75 + VAT per person. Please note that we will have to charge in full for cancellations within 72 hours of the dinner. The dinner will commence at 6.45pm therefore guests are advised to arrive at around 6.30pm.

Dinner places are strictly limited to a first-come, first-served basis we therefore recommend you don’t delay in securing your place with us.