The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
CEO’s journey from drama to big business
EntrEprEnEur: Tech boss is guest speaker at Dundee business breakfast
A leading Scottish technology entrepreneur has spoken of her transition from drama student to award-winning chief executive.
Leah Hutcheon majored in drama at university and went on to carve out a career in magazines before the recession hit and she was made redundant.
She told a business breakfast hosted by Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce at the city’s Malmaison hotel that it was at this point she decided to take the plunge and become her own boss.
Ms Hutcheon told guests at the event – which was held as part of the wider Dundee Business Week programme – about establishing tech firm Appointedd in 2010 and its subsequent rapid growth.
Appointedd hosts an online booking solution that allows businesses and individuals to schedule appointments with the minimum of hassle.
The Edinburgh-based firm has picked up a string of major international clients in recent years and has Skyscanner founder Gareth Williams among an impressive investor line-up.
Ms Hutcheon said she struggled to see herself as a tech visionary.
“I had an idea and I was lucky enough to get good guidance and mentoring along the way that made me think my idea had real potential,” she said.
The Business Week programme continues today with a Scottish Enterprise cultural tourism event before Social Bite founder Josh Littlejohn gives a public lecture at Dundee University.