Awful Is Opportunity - Ben James, Investment Director

Awful Is Opportunity - Ben James, Investment Director

Author: StandUpScotland © Thor Holt 2025 November 16, 2023 Duration: 36:05

The UK is wobbling! Says Ben James But ‘awful is also opportunity’ 💪 I sat down with Ben, Investment Director at Baillie Gifford, a drama school buddy of 20 years ago, for my HippiHut Podcast this week - a long overdue catch up! Our discussion touched on key topics relevant to the current business landscape.
Here are some takeaways:
1. **Awful is Opportunity:** Challenges present opportunities for innovation and growth.
2. **Servant Leadership:** Ben an ex-military officer turned investment Director at Baillie Gifford in Edinburgh, embodies servant leadership. (He did back at drama school as well! - no star tantrums from him 😂) How can we integrate this servant leadership style to enhance organisational culture and performance?**War,
3. **Polarisation's Pitfalls:** Recognising that polarisation can hinder progress, how can we foster unity and collaboration within our teams and industries?
4. Peace, and Prosperity:** Amidst the wobbles in the UK economy, being cautiously optimistic is a strategic stance.
5. **Circular Economy Innovation:** Ben's enthusiasm for the circular economy highlights the potential for sustainable business practices. How can we incorporate circular economy principles into our strategies for a more resilient future? I was particularly interested to talk about this due to my own vision to build on 50 years of sustainability practice at our North House Croft in Shetland.
6. **The Ripple Effect of Acts of Kindness:** Both myself and Ben advocate for kindness. How can simple acts of kindness create positive ripples within our organisations and communities?


There's a particular energy to Scottish comedy, a blend of sharp wit, storytelling, and a perspective that feels both grounded and wildly imaginative. Stand Up Scotland captures that essence perfectly, offering more than just a series of jokes. Each episode feels like a conversation backstage, where the laughter is genuine and the stories often take unexpected turns. The lineup of voices here is a testament to the scene, featuring brilliant minds like Tom Stade, Beth Knight, Gareth Waugh, and Bruce Devlin, alongside other greats such as Billy Kirkwood, Des McLean, and Chris Rutter. What you'll hear is a mix of crafted material, personal anecdotes, and the kind of off-the-cuff banter that gives this podcast its unique, psychedelic soul. It's a deep dive into the minds of comedians who know how to find the funny in the everyday and the absurd. Brought to you by Thor Holt, this production is sponsored by ThorHolt.com, which focuses on public speaking and confident presenting. Ultimately, this is a celebration of Scottish comedic talent, designed purely for your entertainment. So, if you're looking for a laugh that comes with character and a few surprising moments of depth, this is the place to find it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Stand Up Scotland
Podcast Episodes
Sorry for the blood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:26
The episode in which I’m sorry for my singing, I give a simple analogy which can help your career wins, and I explain my new role of ‘Ghost NXD’ by way of a blood spattered analogy.
Be Lucky: Call Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:06
Ramble in the woods, solve your career catastrophe or presentation challenge….
Laugh at my funeral [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:45
Another perspective on life and your career
The Bar Fight Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:50
State of the world wild woods walk and talk, expressed through the medium of a bar fight. Not for easily offended.
Live a Life Worthy of Cremation 😉 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:24
Thor explores nuclear winter, and creating a career worthy of a cracking funeral 😂. And the littlest spaniel tries valiantly to put him in an early grave, live on air.
Get In Your Zone of Being ❤️👍 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:48
Who are you when you’re being your most purposeful in the zone self? I’ll go first…..
Naz Hussain: Workplace Laughs 🤣 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:53
Thor and Naz discuss Thor’s upcoming comedy gig at Breakneck comedy in Aberdeen (26th Feb) and get down to the essentials of a great workplace plus loads more - including live toast.