Who are you? 
John McClarey, Founder of Business Fives Ltd.

What does your business do? 

We run corporate sports events for the Scottish market place bringing businesses and colleagues together through sport as well as raising money for charity at the same time.  

We run Business Fives, Scotland’s national business five-a-side tournament and Business Fours, Scotland’s national business golf tournament and have a company commitment to donating 10 per cent of everything we make to charity.

Where are you based?
We host events across the country from the East Coast to the very West Coast with Glasgow and Edinburgh representing the main locations of our current and fast growing client base.

How did you get started? 
The original business plan for the company was to provide industry specific golf events and this evolved to the wider sports market, initially deciding to focus on Football through Business Fives.

What is your background? 
I graduated from Heriot Watt University with a Masters in Economics and have always worked in Business Development roles throughout my career. I started off professional life working in media sales for a publishing house based in Broxburn where I became the Magazine Director of an industry publication, Enterprising Scotland.

From there I moved in to the Oil & Gas industry to work for a digital platform which focused on the latest innovations coming out of the sector.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the international travel to Global Oil & Gas events in KL, Abu Dhabi, Cape Town, Barcelona, Amsterdam and not forgetting Aberdeen and it was from here my passion for events started to develop.

What is your top tip? 
Be professional, personable, polite and maintain your persistence.  

How long has your business been running? 
We have been running for just over a year now and have recently taken on an events management intern, Sean McPhee who has been a fantastic addition.

Special thanks to the Santander internship programme who are part funding his position and to Queen Margaret University who have facilitated the internship. 

What was your first deal? 
They may not know it but Cathcart Associates a Technology & IT recruitment firm were the first company to book to take part in Business Fives.  

Has anyone helped you get started and how? 
The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce have been a hugely supportive organisation who have contributed immensely to the success of Business Fives. 

Who is your mentor? 
Andy Moorhouse is my business mentor and has been a fantastic support to the business.  

He is a strategic thinker who challenges what I’m doing, why I’m doing it and constantly encourages me to be more focused and efficient.

Useful contacts
John@businessfives.co.uk www.businessfives.co.uk www.businessfours.co.uk