2009 in profile

Next up it was the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel in Glasgow to meet Calum Ross who had just taken over the running of a few properties in the Hilton portfolio.

There was more snow as I went to interview convenience store operator David Sands at his warehouse in Fife.

In the boardroom of their cash and carry in Edinburgh George and Graham Benson were the first twins I have interviewed for Business7 and both had very different roles and responsibilities in the company.

One of my favourite interviews of the year (mainly because I really want the event to be brilliant) was with John Scott from the Glasgow 2014 organising committee. In his glass walled office in a suite overlooking George Square he was very reassuring about Scotland's ability to put on a Commonwealth Games which will wow the world.

A relatively short journey for me over to Livingston to catch the jet setting Keith Neilson. The Craneware boss spends a fair chunk of time over in America as that is where his products are sold so I was delighted to catch him. Also the first listed company boss I interviewed for the profile in 2009.

A slightly different tack took me to Scottish Enterprise HQ in Glasgow to see Sarah Deas of Co-operative Development Scotland. It was fascinating to find out about the scale of co-ops in Scotland and how Deas and her team plan to expand it.

I had fun meeting Andy Lothian from Insights when he was down in Edinburgh. A very self aware guy with a wry sense of humour. I also convinced him to sign up for Twitter.

Looking back now this one is tinged with sadness. Douglas Mutter of Acorn Pet Centres seemed to have done a solid job since taking over full control of family business when we met in Fife. Yet the company went into administration later in the year although the Mutter family were involved in the buy out which kept the business trading.

It was a bit of a coup to get a sit down with Paul Slater in the retailer's Glasgow store. Very smart and sensible with some real insight into the retail trade.

My shortest journey of the year to do a profile was meeting David Guile of Macdonald Hotels at Houston House in Uphall. Nestled in the cosy nook at the back of the bar we chatted about the trade over coffee and biscuits.

Another enjoyable one with Martin Dickie of BrewDog talking beer, numb toes, battles with local authorities and eco-breweries while he was down in Edinburgh.

Locating Steve Langmead's office was a bit of a challenge (leafy Edinburgh streets with buildings behind large walls and set back from the roads) but once inside the ATOS Origin boss had lots of interesting things to say about the Scottish IT industry.

Over some glasses of ice water JP Kavanagh told me about living in the hotel he runs - the Edinburgh Sheraton.

At the Caledonian Hotel in the capital I sat with Paul McLaughlin of Scotland Food and Drink while he mapped out how the industry can make gains.

I went inside Murrayfield for the first time in my life to interview Gordon McKie. Despite not being a rugby fan I found plenty to speak to the chief executive of the SRU about.

Out to Newbridge to talk perfume, cosmetics and retail confidence with Semi-chem and Scotmid operations director Colin McLean.

Hotel du Vin in Edinburgh was where I met Gill Eastgate and she outlined her ambitious plans to turn NKD Clothing into the corporate workwear brand of choice.

My second last big interview of the year was with Jamie Fraser at the grand Hamilton and Inches store in Edinburgh. In my experience jewellers tend to get a lot of satisfaction (and fun) out of selling their products and Fraser was no exception.

Last but not least was Susan Hart, dean of Strathclyde Business School, in her spacious office in the business school.

And that was my 2009 in profile interviews.