Strong turnout marks successful launch of North-East Scotland Business Academy

NES Business Academy Experts

Over 50 attendees from SME businesses across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire attended the first ever North-East Scotland Business Academy (NES Business Academy) event on Thursday 23rd April which brought legal, financial, business coaching and marketing expertise into one room.

The event saw attendees from a range of sectors that included technology, third sector, professional services, commercial property and financial services receive practical advice tailored to the real challenges faced by SME’s and owner managed businesses.

Inspired by Blackadders Aberdeen HR Club, the law firm collaborated with Prospect 13, ActionCOACH and Hall Morrice to create NES Business Academy which is designed to break away from traditional networking led formats.

Held at Park Inn By Radisson, in Aberdeen city centre, the free event included an ‘In Conversation With’ case study session, facilitated table discussions, insights from the NES Business Academy experts along with key takeaways and top tips.

Speaking after the inaugural event, Suzi Low, Corporate & Commercial Partner at Blackadders said: “It was a privilege to launch our first NES Business Academy event and to see such a strong turnout from the North-east business community was fantastic. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to running a business so having expert input from legal, accounting, marketing and coaching all in one place gives attendees valuable takeaways for the future. We look forward to seeing as many people as possible at our next event in June.”

Tracey Longthorn, Branch Manager at Major Recruitment, who attended the event added: “When we saw the experts involved, we thought it was an event we should make time for. There was a lot that resonated from the sessions including Cerri McDonald from Prospect 13 sharing her honest feelings about the highs and lows of starting a business and managing growth. The format was different and overall, we loved it so looking forward to what comes next.”

The next NES Business Academy gathering is on the 10th June with further events planned in August and November 2026 and February 2027.

Hall Morrice Logo Small

An award winning independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers.

Founded in 1976, Hall Morrice is one of Scotland’s fastest-growing independent accountancy firms and has a reputation for a client-first approach in serving a range of sectors including energy, construction, retail, professional services, fishing and hospitality.

Action Coach Logo Small

ActionCOACH is the world's leading business coaching franchise, founded in 1993.

Operating in over 80 countries, it helps business owners increase profits, build better teams, and gain more time through proven systems and a money-back guarantee. The approach is honest, hands-on and joined-up, helping business owners understand what’s worth doing, what’s not, and how marketing connects with wider business decisions. No overcomplication. Just marketing that builds momentum, generates leads and supports growth and advancement.

Blackadders Logo Small

Blackadders LLP is a national law firm with offices in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Our ambitious team provides expertise across commercial and private client law, delivering tailored, innovative solutions to individuals, businesses and organisations. Our commitment to client service is central to everything we do. By adopting the smartest and most efficient ways of working, we blend modern practices with our firm’s traditional values. Our Legus membership and cross-border collaborations with partner firms ensure that we can handle even the most complex legal challenges with confidence. The approach is honest, hands-on and joined-up, helping business owners understand what’s worth doing, what’s not, and how marketing connects with wider business decisions. No overcomplication. Just marketing that builds momentum, generates leads and supports growth and advancement.

Prospect 13 Logo Small

Prospect 13 delivers straight-talking marketing that delivers.

Focused on supporting SMEs, Prospect 13 provides clear, practical marketing that cuts through the noise and focuses on what will drive real business results. From strategy and branding to digital, PR , content and design, everything is built around business goals, not marketing jargon. The approach is honest, hands-on and joined-up, helping business owners understand what’s worth doing, what’s not, and how marketing connects with wider business decisions. No overcomplication. Just marketing that builds momentum, generates leads and supports growth and advancement.