


About us
We understand that corporate life can be tough
We are three Christian businessmen working in Aberdeen’s corporate sector. Through our experiences of corporate life in Aberdeen, and the need to balance our own professional and personal lives, we have come to believe there is a real need for a charity committed to supporting individuals just like us. We come from different church backgrounds and different industries – but we all have the same passion. To help make a positive difference to our corporate culture in Aberdeen. We believe God has a heart for the broken and weary in the corporate sector all across Scotland.
We think there is a more balanced way to live and work: would you like to join us?
We want to provide a safe place where people can be encouraged, equipped and empowered to endure the stresses of professional business life. Our events are run by business people, for business people. We offer a welcoming, safe place in the space between the office, family and church. Find practical advice to inspire, stimulating debate to refresh and a trained ear to listen.
Our Mission
We are inspired by our Christian faith to love and serve Scotland's business community. Our mission is to provide a safe place where people can be encouraged, equipped and empowered to endure the stresses of professional business life. If you work in the business sector, you already belong to The Business Connection. Please join us at our next events in Aberdeen or Dundee as we ‘seek the peace and prosperity of our city.’
Donate
We are entirely funded by individuals who are passionate about the valuable and important work we do in supporting those within the corporate sector in Aberdeen City & Shire.
In order to ensure the continuation of this work and continue to develop Thrive Scotland, we need to increase the level of support we receive.
Please seriously consider if you are able to join them in supporting us: To request a Standing Order form including Gift Aid or our bank details so that you can donate online, please use the contact form below.
To donate by cheque please make it payable to "The Business Connection" and send it to Jim Grimmer (Trustee) at The Business Connection, c/o P3 Business Care, Provender House, 37 Waterloo Quay, Aberdeen, AB11 5BS.
Thank you for whatever you may be able to give to support us. To donate online please use the link below:
Who are we?
Jim worked at Grampian Police for 20 years including roles in serious crime and major incident investigation. In 2005, he was awarded the ‘Iraq Reconstruction Medal’ following a year located in the Maysan Province of Iraq, mentoring the new Iraqi Police Service on behalf of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. He has also worked for a further 20 years in business development and general management roles within the oil and gas sector in his home city of Aberdeen.
In 2018, Jim founded the community interest company and social enterprise P3 Business Care to bring personal & proactive care to employees in the 9-5 corporate sector, working in partnership with the employer. Jim was a co-founder of The Business Connection and is a graduate of Robert Gordon University (MCIPD) and Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney (Cert IV Ministry). He is a former Street Pastor and an active member of Kings Church Aberdeen, a Director of King's Community Foundation, and is an Accredited Minister with AoG (Assemblies of God). Married to Ashlyn, he is a dad to 3 boys and a daughter and has three grandsons.
Barry is a Change Management Consultant and founding director of Ardent.team, a consultancy practice established to aid clients in managing change and projects. Prior to that Barry worked in financial services where he garnered 24 years of experience, 19 of these with Aberdeen Standard Investments where he served as global Head of Change Management. Barry is on the Board of Kings Church Aberdeen, a local church where he has been very active in most spheres of church life over the last 25 years since arriving as a student, having led diverse teams from youth and worship to finance & strategy. Barry is married to Kath and has three beautiful children.
Martyn began his career in science, completing two degrees at Edinburgh University before then working in the life science industry in Edinburgh and Dundee. In 2011 Martyn moved to work in the oil and gas industry at Wood Plc, and has been there for 11 years as the company has undergone a series of transformational changes. Martyn works for Wood Plc , the UK’s largest engineering and technical services company, headquartered in Aberdeen. Martyn leads the company’s energy transition mega-trend as well as being head of strategy.
In 2014 Martyn, along with three other Christian businessmen, launched The Business Connection charity aimed at equipping, encouraging and empowering the corporate sector in Aberdeen. In 2019 this ministry gave birth to the Thrive conference which saw 12 Christian organisations joining together to launch this catalyst conference in Aberdeen, as well as a new Christian workplace group within Wood. He lives in the beautiful Scottish countryside north of Dundee and is married to Gladys with three children.
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Testimonials
Please see below from some recent testimonials
I think it is an excellent initiative – and I commend everyone involved. Aberdeen is a pretty tough business environment at the moment and this support can only be beneficial.
I often receive great nuggets of information from either the people attending or the monthly speaker. I have also made some good connections and friends.
I have made and followed up on several good connections formed at The Business Connection monthly events.
As someone who travels occasionally from outside Aberdeen but with visibility across Scotland, it’s been a delight to see how TBC has grown over the last 18 months. Recently it was particularly encouraging to meet a number of people at the Ian Marchant event who evidently had no Christian connection at all but who were comfortable coming and enjoyed the event. When this is happening it’s clear that your aim of serving the business community, whatever their background is being delivered.
I have been attending regularly now nearly 3 months. I was impressed that the business meetings set by Christians but anyone can attend. There is always some inspiration and encouragement for each other with opportunities for connecting and networking. Monthly meetings with guests are also very good.
It’s good to meet and share experiences in a friendly environment.
Very welcoming and friendly. The monthly breakfasts in particular are very informative and relevant.
I found about Business Connection through Eventbrite. I had the chance to meet Pete and Valentine amazing people and with whom I’m going to move further on for my business. For me, it is an excellent opportunity to know organizational culture and how business are made in Aberdeen.
Great connections with other working professionals in Aberdeen City/area; very good topics for monthly Friday sessions.
This is a unique group and I am really glad I have started attending. It is great to meet other Christians in a non-Church setting. Speakers have been great.
It’s a positive, encouraging and supportive space. You guys are doing a great job!
I think it is an excellent initiative – and I commend everyone involved. Aberdeen is a pretty tough business environment at the moment and this support can only be beneficial.
I often receive great nuggets of information from either the people attending or the monthly speaker. I have also made some good connections and friends.
I have made and followed up on several good connections formed at The Business Connection monthly events.
As someone who travels occasionally from outside Aberdeen but with visibility across Scotland, it’s been a delight to see how TBC has grown over the last 18 months. Recently it was particularly encouraging to meet a number of people at the Ian Marchant event who evidently had no Christian connection at all but who were comfortable coming and enjoyed the event. When this is happening it’s clear that your aim of serving the business community, whatever their background is being delivered.
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