Work / Assignment Related Testimonials
"Murray Strachan has been a valued mentor for my DisrupTeK technology business venture. I shared the concept with him in Oct and within six months I was granted entry into the Scottish Enterprise High Growth Programme. He has been an absolutely brilliant coach. He has helped me build the DisrupTeK operating plan from a rough concept into a robust business model. He has helped me think through the many complex issues and taught me to have faith in my own ability. Like all great coaches he doesn't give you the answer he helps you find it for yourself.
I cannot recommend him highly enough. I simply wouldn't have been able to get where I have in such a short time without him."
John Park, MD DisrupTeK
"Murray has significant experience in running and managing diverse teams in the delivery of specific objectives. His personal leadership and management qualities ensure that he continuously exceeds beyond expectations in all activities he is involved with.
Most importantly he is very much a 'hands on' people person and is committed to the welfare of the people who work with him."
Richard Lawson, Corporate Excellence Manager at Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge)
"Murray is an adept leader, skilled at working with organisations of all sizes, rapidly identifying the strategic direction necessary for them, translating this into practical steps, and fearlessly putting this process into place. He is never one to avoid a challenge - tackling corporate situations that others would be scared of and intimidated by. He accepts responsibility, while empowering those around him. He exerts just the right level of control to make sure that delivery is spot-on. An inveterate networker his list of friends and colleagues is a veritable who's who of the shapers of industry both generally and in each of the industries in which he has worked. A top guy, thoroughly recommended."
Dr Graham Wilson, Owner, the-confidant.info & Leading Major Change Consultant
"I have had the pleasure of working alongside Murray when he was the CEO of Petrofac Training and later working directly for him at Petrofac. Murray is an enthusiastic entrepreneur and astute business man; he is a person of high integrity, passion, and the pragmatism to achieve most anything and everything he sets out to accomplish. What I value most in Murray is his belief in his friends and colleagues and his unwavering encouragement in helping them achieve their own personal goals. If I had the opportunity to work with Murray again I would not hesitate for a second. I consider Murray a friend and a confidant."
Cathy Stansfield, CIO
"Murray is an individual who builds confidence in others, both directly and indirectly. His will to succeed and desire to grow businesses is an attribute that any project could benefit from"
"As Chairman of SuperTie, Murray steers the ship. His strategic approach ensures we focus on the relevant matters, and provides focus to key issues - sorting the priorities from the non-priorities."
"His knowledge and experience of raising funds has been essential in ensuring the growth of SuperTie - his ease of manner, together with a direct and focused attitude commands respect and delivers presence in tough settings, and so spreads confidence amongst colleagues".
"In a world where ruthlessness is labelled as an ingredient to success, I think Murray shows that playing the game with skill and thought can bring you similar or better business results, while maintaining a likeable and exemplary reputation - as a mentor, he promotes the right way to do things, with the same results as the ruthless".
Chris Gibson, SuperTie Ltd
“For small technical and consultancy businesses the benefit of investment and development capital is always tempered by the fear of the unknown relative to more formal board structures, investor representation and non executives whose own business and administrative expertise and experience is so much greater than their own.
I was certainly in this position following investment and the Board reorganisation that went with the plan. However having now worked one to one with Murray Strachan for more than 3 years I have no hesitation in describing his patience, humility, drive, application and intelligence as of the very highest calibre. He listens without assumption, has been always calm during a period of quite unprecedented change and presents a view in support of management once all the known facts are in."
Business is about relationships and as a non executive and investor representative Murray knows instinctively that the business comes first if the investment is to be successful.”
Michael Lawson, Managing Director, Landscape Planning Group Ltd
"Murray led a focused and talented group at RGIT pre buy out, during independence and post sale to Petrofac. I have continued to remain a fan of his work ethic and sense of doing the right thing. If the opportunity arose I would work with him again in an instant."
Bill McCall, NXD, RGIT Montrose Group
"Having Murray as a mentor was invaluable at a time when the organisation was rapidly growing and changing. He freely volunteered his expertise which not only helped with the development of our strategy but helped my reflection, understanding and growth as a leader."
Debbie Thomson, Chief Executive, CLAN
"Murray is a person that likes to make things happen and therefore is a great person to have on board to help meet objectives of any given project/plan."
Jeffery Corray, CEO, ITS Energy Services and former Head of Oil & Gas Corporate Finance at KPMG
"Regardless of the capacity in which Murray has acted within the Entrepreneurial Exchange, special projects director, finance director, vice chairman or indeed simply as a member, he is generous in time and spirit, taking time to listen to the challenges facing fellow members and reflecting on his own experiences to help provide a potential solution. A great role model for fellow members."
John Anderson, Chief Executive, Entrepreneurial Exchange in Scotland
"Murray possesses a wide range of business skills that he fully utilises to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation he leads. His key skills are his ability to create a vision for an organisation, bring optimum structure to that organisation and then diligently follow a thoughtful plan for business growth. These core skills are complimented by an innate ability to create a very strong team ethos"
Patrick Mallan, Production Operations Director, AMEC
"Murray provided us with excellent investment and business growth advice - incisive and informative and underpinned by a genuine enthusiasm and passion for entrepreneurially driven businesses. Murray takes a very generous and open approach to sharing his extensive experience, knowledge and contacts and is extremely enjoyable to work with.
Matthew Levington, Partner / Director, Business Doctors
"Murray is a very experienced business transformation specialist who gets the best out of the teams he works with."
Michael Lawson, Managing Director, Landscape Planning Group
"Murray is a thoroughly professional business adviser who works diligently to connect individuals and companies with convergent goals. He retains an interest in post-hire activities that is above and beyond his peer group. His personable style and supportive manner helps create trust in a business area where trust is hard to earn."
David Lanc, Senior Banking Executive and MD of PayFont
"Have worked with Murray on various projects. He has always been well organised and persistent in following the goals agreed. He acts well as a non exec chairman allowing the management to get on with running the business. He has great energy and a high focus on measurement and accountability."
Martin Beard, Beard Consulting & Business Associate / Colleague
"Murray and I have worked with each other for over 20 years and together we have produced some great work. I have seen his career blossom in that time as a result of hard work and absolute focus on creating value. His work with the Exchange in the North East of Scotland has been admirable and he has demonstrated a real leadership in this voluntary role. Having, "been there and done that" in a number of companies both large and small he brings a wealth of knowledge to his role as an advisor and investor."
Ian Ord, Director, 5th Ring Corporate Communications
"Murray is all about value add. He is the consummate professional and has gone the extra mile in all of my business dealings with him. He has also "been there and done that" from setting up and running businesses, raising finance and investing his own money as well as time. I would be happy to recommend Murray to any of my clients or contacts."
Stuart Hendry, Partner, MBM Commercial LLP
"Murray has been known to me for over 10 years, both as a client and as a business acquaintance. I consider him to be of the highest standing and integrity, and very detail conscious in his approach to all aspects of business. To use a cliche - "he always does what it says on the tin..."
Margaret Stenton, Senior Manager at Lloyds Banking Group/ Bank of Scotland Dealer Finance
"Murray's approach is based upon sound principles. He understands the importance of building senior-level relationships and capitalising upon them to drive sustainable forward performance. Murray is a deadline oriented, proactive and responsible colleague with a great skill to analyze and summarize ideas. Can focus on many tasks at once. It was a pleasure to work together with Murray."
Peter Conner, Managing Director, Mintra Training Portal Ltd
“Murray is pragmatic, personable and respectful with an eye for identifying and addressing the issues which matter. He listens to the team and leads by example. Working with Murray is refreshing and I look forward to future opportunities with him."
David McPherson, Former FD/COO, Activpayrol and Business Associate
"Murray is a great guy who I greatly enjoyed working with and for. His drive, enthusiasm and personality are all infectious. I truly enjoyed my time with him as a colleague and boss."
Mark Allen, former senior colleague
"I know Murray through a business organisation called The Entrepreneurial Exchange and have received sound business advice from him. Not only is he able to recognise, pursue and realise unique business opportunities, he's empathetic, understanding.....and above all listens! His wide and varied experiences, together with an openness and desire to help, engenders trust in those he engages with."
Kirsten Lord, Managing Director at Edinburgh & Glasgow Physiotherapy Centres
"I have known Murray for a number of years now and find him knowledgable, focused and committed to his business objectives and of course more importantly, that of his clients."
John Reynolds, former Lord Provost, Aberdeen City
“I have known Murray on and off for many years and latest I have worked together with him in connection with filling a Managing Director position in our newly established training centre in Aberdeen. Murray’s network and knowledge of the Oil & Gas industry in general and in particular in Aberdeen, proved to be invaluable during this process. We ended up finding a very successful candidate and as usual I have appreciated the professionalism and quality you always receive when cooperating with Murray. I can wholeheartedly recommend his capabilities to others."
Claus Bihl, CEO Maersk Training
"Given Murray’s extensive knowledge of the training market both here and overseas, he was my first thought and natural contact when tasked with finding candidates for the new operation in Aberdeen. The advice and support received was second to none, as was the shortlist of candidates presented. Sincere thanks to Murray for his invaluable assistance."
Carolyn Cosgrove, Maersk HR Manager
Speaking & Chairing Engagements
Succeeding in International Business, Glasgow 11th November 2010
“Murray clearly has extensive experience and insight on the subject matter. There were some real nuggets! He was excellent.”
“I have only been at events that Murray has chaired before. This was a whole different ball game and he really is an interesting guy and a great asset to the Exchange board. I have no idea how he managed to fit so much into his career, his talk made me feel like I’ve been twiddling my thumbs. Really good flowing speech and Murray gave really good useful tips.”
Fundraising for Early Stage Businesses - Aberdeen 19th January 2011
“Murray has a wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom to share. It was a very interesting and a pleasure to hear his experiences.”
Supper Club “Insights for Investment” - Wednesday 13 January 2010
“Murray was top class. He put a lot of work into preparing and having a good structure to the evening. A lot of bases were covered within the time frame and I think that’s down to Murray’s preparation, knowledge and experience.”
“Murray had a good informal relaxed style backed up by solid experience.”
Supper Club “The Right Non Exec For Your Business” - Thursday 13th January
“Lots of personal experience and knowledge; made sure everyone was involved; managed the discussion well.”
“Excellent chair, contributor and facilitator – involved everyone but also kept us on the subject.”
“It was great that he brought everyone in relevantly and seamlessly. Very relaxed.”
“Challenges of Growth” - Aberdeen, 22nd June 2011.
“As ever, Murray is inclusive and ensures everyone gets a chance to contribute. Brilliant Chairman”
“I imagine it could be a tough shift keeping a room of entrepreneurs both on topic and on tme, however, Murray did this extremely well and gave all the delegates an opportunity to contribute.”
“Murray was very organised and thoughtful, also made sure everyone particiapated - excellent”