Before I get too engrossed in my Externship B project with Global Energy Group, I thought I’d blog a few lines reflecting on our two weeks in the classroom in Stirling.  It was great to experience the unique teaching styles of Profs Les Charm and Anirudh Dhebar once again after three months away from Babson. 

Another highlight was the programme of networking events organized by the Saltire Foundation.  Afternoon and evening sessions spent in the company of some of Scotland’s top entrepreneurs were both informative and inspiring.  Managing to secure time in the diaries of Jim McColl, Mary Grant, Chris van der Kuyl, Douglass Anderson, John Anderson and Fiona Lowrie was quite an achievement by Irene, Julie and the team. 

Yesterday was spent getting familiar with Global Energy’s fabrication sites.  At times this felt like walking through a Proclaimers’ song as I toured Nigg, where 5,000 people were once employed, and a converted shed on the site of Invergordon Aluminium Smelter, which once employed over 1,000 people.  Both facilities are an important part of Scotland’s industrial history and Nigg may yet have a part to play in Scotland’s industrial future.  After one day at Global Energy I’m convinced that this dynamic young company has the talent and ambition to play an increasingly significant role in Scotland’s energy sector.