The Ask Behind Global Connections and Celtic Collaboration with Russell Dalgleish

Russell Dalgleish has spent his career connecting dots — between people, between companies, and across borders. As founder of the Scottish Business Network (SBN), he’s built one of the most active and engaged diaspora-driven communities in the Celtic world, uniting over 22,000 professionals with Scottish roots around the globe.

This August, Russell will take the stage at the Interceltic Business Forum in Lorient, joining leaders from across the Celtic nations to explore how diaspora networks can accelerate innovation, investment, and opportunity. From his latest book The Ask to his ongoing advocacy for cross-border collaboration, Russell brings practical insight into how small nations can scale through the strength of global connections.

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What is SBN?

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Scottish Business Network (SBN) is a voluntary international organisation that connects Scottish entrepreneurs and businesses to a global network of leaders, influencers, and opportunities. Our mission is to support Scottish companies in scaling internationally by leveraging the collective power of the Scottish diaspora.

There are believed to be over 40 million people of Scottish descent worldwide, (we have over 22,000 in our Linkedin group) from Canada and the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand. This global community represents an extraordinary, and often underutilised, resource for collaboration and growth.

Find out more about SBN at https://www.sbn.scot/ and join at https://www.linkedin.com/company/sbnscot

Should Celtic diaspora be working more together?

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The Celtic nations share deep cultural roots, a history of resilience, and global diaspora communities that are highly engaged and influential. By working more closely together, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, the Isle of Man etc we can amplify our reach, strengthen trade connections, and create opportunities that could not be achieved alone.

The success of events like the Interceltic Business Forum demonstrates just how powerful that shared heritage, where we find a focus on innovation and economic growth.

Tell us about your new book? The Ask

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The Ask is about the power of connections and how entrepreneurs can unlock opportunities by simply learning to ask the right questions. It’s both a practical guide and a call-to-action for business leaders to embrace curiosity, build relationships, and leverage networks effectively.

The book is built on my years of experience mentoring entrepreneurs, growing companies, and leading networks like SBN. It’s designed to be a playbook for anyone who wants to scale their impact.

The Ask is currently available here: https://amzn.eu/d/68Kmll8

What was the motivation for writing it?

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Over the years, I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs struggle, not because they lacked talent or ideas, but because they didn’t ask for help or didn’t know who to ask.

I wanted to create a resource that empowers people to tap into the generosity and expertise around them. Writing The Ask was my way of sharing the principles and mindset that have helped me and many others build strong, successful networks.

The book is also a great example of the power of saying “yes”. My co-author Wendy Sneddon suggested the book, and although I was hesitant, I agreed and the results speak for themselves.

What is the ROI of attending an Interceltic Business Forum?

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The return on investment from the Interceltic Business Forum (IBF) is multi-dimensional. Beyond the immediate business opportunities, attendees gain access to high-value relationships, market insights, and potential partnerships across the Celtic nations and their global diaspora.

But more importantly, this is a chance to identify new opportunities which can be advanced together through entrepreneurial flare and collaboration.

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Conclusion

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As Celtic nations seek new models for sustainable growth, leaders like Russell Dalgleish offer a compelling vision: one rooted in shared heritage, global reach, and the transformative power of simply asking. His work with SBN demonstrates how diaspora networks aren’t just a legacy — they’re a future-facing asset ready to be activated.

Join us in Lorient on August 4th to hear Russell share how connection, curiosity, and collaboration can reshape what’s possible for Celtic entrepreneurs and communities around the world.

🎟️ Tickets to the Interceltic Business Forum are available now.

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