By Victoria Black

 

The Family Business Lecture Series at the University of Strathclyde has received a cash boost of £10,000 from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation.

The charity established by the former head of one of Scotland’s leading family businesses will gift the University’s Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship’s Series with beneficial funding.

The former chairman of WA Baxter & Sons – now Baxters Food Group – received an honorary degree from Strathclyde in 1987. He was President of the company from 1994 until his death in 2013.

The talks in the series have covered a wide range of topics, from developing a business to its succession. Influential speakers have included: Bill Gordon of Wm Grant & Sons distillers; and the late Maitland Mackie of Mackies of Scotland.

James Baxter, the grandson of Mr Baxter and his wife, Ena now chairs the Foundation.

Foundation Manager Kay Jackson said: “The Baxter family has long admired the commitment and enthusiasm of all those at the University of Strathclyde who strive to encourage young people to aspire to be the best they can be.

“We are delighted to be able to support the Family Business Lecture Series and look forward to working together on this and other projects in the future.”

Professor Eleanor Shaw, Head of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, said that Baxters Food Group is “one of the best known family businesses in Scotland” with “an enviable global brand.”

“Philanthropic support of this kind from The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation is a very powerful demonstration of belief in the University and its people.

“This award will ensure we are able to attract some of Scotland’s best family businesses to share their wisdom and experience with our staff, students and alumni.”

The next lecture in the series will be delivered on 20 May by Chief Executive of Chardon, Maurice Taylor and his daughter Nicola, Asset Manager with the company.}