Focus Dinner with Bill Scott, Wilton Group

Guests cannot fail to get caught up in Bill’s unfettered enthusiasm and determination as he shares how he built from scratch what became an £85m turnover business.

Former North East Entrepreneur of the Year, Bill Scott co-founded Wilton Engineering as a multi-discipline engineering services provider, based on a 50-acre site by the River Tees in Middlesbrough.

Aged just 17, Bill vowed to set up his own company but had the foresight to go out and get some experience first. Starting out as an apprentice, he worked his way up, gaining experience in a number of senior production, quality and offshore installation positions until, in 1994, he teamed up with business partner Steve Glenn to set up Wilton Engineering Services.

He negotiated the purchase of the former Swan Hunter ship yard which then launched the company onto a different level. Through national and international strategic growth, acquisition of a design engineering company and a £16m private equity deal, the group grew to employ more than 800 people at its peak.

Bill is a passionate patron of the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation and a prolific charity raiser for many good causes which sees him regularly entering sporting challenges to raise much needed funds.

In recognition of his business success Bill has been crowned EY Entrepreneur of the Year (North of England), IOD Investor Director NE and North East Business Executive of the Year; not to mention being made an honorary doctor of business administration at Teesside University.

With Oil & Gas going through its most difficult time you will hear about the strategy needed to enter new markets, survive and prosper.

Blasting through more than two decades of growth and beyond, this is an evening not to be missed.