VP GLOBAL PR, HOMEAWAY
I had the pleasure of working closely with Jonathan Findlay on one of our company's most major productions. Together, we coordinated events to create global media exposure at Duns Castle. There were hundreds of details that needed to be attended to and, with Jonathan at the helm, we were in great hands. Jonathan was efficient, professional and brought very strategic ideas to the table. From the very beginning, he valued ensuring we were forming a true win-win partnership that benefited everyone. Jonathan is an excellent communicator and he's simply one of the most collaborative partners I've worked with in my career. In addition to all the major details of pulling off multiple press and influencer events (including a live remote with TODAY on NBC) Jonathan was the key coordinator for all Marketing, PR, Social, Technology, Production and Event logistics. No ask was too big or too small. He made our time on site at Duns Castle easy and seamless and our events beyond successful. I truly appreciate Jonathan's keen understanding of marketing and PR in particular. He proactively brought great ideas to the team and he reactively handled situations when inaccurate information was about to surface. I wholeheartedly recommend Jonathan to anyone looking for a hardworking partner to drive top notch events, marketing projects and creative/Marketing strategy.
THE BOARD, DISTILLERS VENTURES LTD.
We worked with Jonathan in 2021 whilst he performed the role of Development Manager for the inaugural Distillers One of One Auction, Scotland’s largest charity whisky auction to date. His enthusiasm, hard work and attention to detail, particularly on all the operational aspects of the project, meant that we were able to deliver an event (in the midst of the Covid pandemic) that raised more than double what we hoped. As the only dedicated member of staff, he played a key role in co-ordinating a volunteer team and multiple stakeholders, including over 40 companies from across the wider Scotch whisky industry, to come together and deliver an extraordinary outcome!
OWNER, DUNS CASTLE ESTATE
Jonathan is a highly commended asset to any company or business needing a dedicated intelligent focussed partner or consultant. He took a quick grasp of where our business was at and suggested various pathways to better the results. In particular he gave us a much higher profile on social media and in our immediate locality which produced profitable business as well as an enhanced community standing. His presentations, particularly visual, are first-class and he can be incisive in negotiations when it comes to terms conditions and contracts. This is all done with a mannered and charming delivery which makes him very popular among colleagues and clients alike.
CO-FOUNDER, POP IN EVENTS
I had the chance to work with Jonathan on the edition of Pop In the City (an urban raid enabling up to 600 women to discover a European town in an unusual way) that took place at St. Andrews in 2019. Jonathan is an extraordinary working partner: he knew to diligently study our concept in the minutest detail so that he could best achieve buy-in from the local stakeholders and became a true Ambassador for our brand. He readily displayed his commercial ability and powers of negotiation as well as creativity in the production of the event. He was a constant source of ideas. He was present at every stage, from beginning to end, without counting his hours. I would seize the opportunity to work with him on a new project. Jonathan, thank you once again.
CO-DIRECTOR, PROJECT GREYS & GLORY, WATERLOO BICENTENARY
Without Jonathan, this once-in-a-lifetime project would not have seen the light of day. Jonathan is one of those rare individuals whose absolute integrity, diplomacy, reliability and uncompromising drive for excellence will see any project through to a successful conclusion. If you can get him, grab him, because you will want him on your team! The team will too.”
PRIZE-WINNERS HOMEAWAY GLOBAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Jonathan, congratulations on all of your successes on behalf of Duns Castle you have truly outdone yourself. I trust the owners are duly impressed by your talents and the amazing results that you have delivered. You are a champ – All your kind efforts and hard work were very appreciated – You went “above and beyond.” / Without exception, we and all 17 of our family guests agreed that it was the best experience/memory any of us has ever had. The hospitality and attention to detail were unparalleled and truly made our stay a once in a lifetime experience. The events, activities & recommendations you put together were truly first rate and enjoyed by all.
CLIENT, MCKINSEY & CO.
Mr. Findlay produced and executed a creative and exciting program with unusual, challenging and thoughtful activities. He sourced venues which would have been inaccessible to other event organizers due to his unparalleled contacts in the region. The event was flawless, despite many obstacles which needed to be overcome: rain, flight delays, special food requirements... Mr. Findlay displayed a commitment and dedication to success which is rare. It was a pleasure to work with him. In short, Jonathan Findlay produced a world class McKinsey event, which was beyond our expectations and which some of our 93 McKinsey offices worldwide are considering replicating. We would recommend any firm, without hesitation, to use Mr. Findlay’s services.
CHAIRMAN, WATERLOO 200
Exercising complete autonomy in partnership with an American non-profit organisation, Jonathan has worked tirelessly on this high profile project, demonstrating commendable drive and a steely determination to succeed. Coinciding with the Regiment’s relocation from Germany to Scotland, our programme had been obliged to focus entirely upon events in the UK since we did not have the resources to do otherwise. Jonathan, however, with Greys and Glory, has achieved international coverage, successfully showcasing the Regiment before a large global audience. The benefits, especially in terms of PR for the Regiment, have been far-reaching. Jonathan has a clear gift for project management and has shown excellent communication and marketing skills throughout, not least through generating social media interest. The results speak for themselves – Waterloo200, with Greys and Glory as a key component, was a triumph. I have a very high regard for Jonathan as an Officer, a competent executive and as a friend. I most strongly commend him.
DIRECTOR, MARCHMONT FARMS LTD.
“Although Jonathan joined Marchmont to build and manage our Partnerships Portfolio, it became apparent that we could also call upon his events and marketing skills as our small team took on the immense task of developing our unique offering from a start-up position. Jonathan contributed across multiple departments enthusiastically and effectively, including in the planning of our largest event of the year, producing marketing collateral and preparing operational licensing. His capacity for original thought is impressive, especially regarding ideas for development. It has been a pleasure working with Jonathan and we hope to call upon his services again in the future.”
FORMER COLLEAGUE
Jonathan is a Director who trusts his team, motivates, encourages them and always gives feedback on anything to help them grow within their role. When meeting clients, I had so much pleasure to present our event recommendations with him and was very impressed with his speech and confidence. His relationships with suppliers were also incredible and I learned a lot next to him. The opening of the Paris Office would not have been the same without him and I am convinced that all our clients and accounts have been won thanks to his tenacity, his commercial talent and negotiation skills. He clearly made the foundation of this office which today employs more than 20.
CLIENT, THE FRENCH RUGBY FEDERATION
I have worked with Jonathan on several occasions with the organisation of France vs Scotland rugby games. It is thanks to his efforts that Pipe Bands play the Scottish anthem at the Stade de France for these matches because he was the person who convinced us to allow them originally in 2001. He has always been a very efficient partner and it has been a real pleasure to work with him. I strongly recommend him.
HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT, CLAN FARQUHARSON UK
Jonathan, you were able to thank many people yesterday but obviously not yourself. You did an exceptional job both in the preparation and delivery of everything online and not only brought together the UK clan but also the wider international diaspora. In that way, you gave the clan much more than simply an occasion to remember but also a stronger sense of belonging. So well done and thank you hugely from all of us
VICE-CHAIR, BRAEMAR COMMUNITY
Well done Jonathan for creating and generating such great content. Massive job to pull all the strands together – particularly as electric storms raged! All much appreciated by the Castle team, we are very grateful for all the effort put in. A huge challenge to pull off such an Event but I’m sure it will have laid a great foundation for the Clan to build and expand.
HIGH COMMISSIONER, CLAN FARQUHARSON AUSTRALIA
From Australia, our heartiest congratulations on a wonderfully put together program and successful showing around the world of Clan Farquharson UK’s Virtual Gathering 2020. I can well imagine everyone of your team breathing a great sigh of relief that it all went so well. The most impressive thing has been the professionalism of the production and the fact that very few even attempted to do what you have done. I believe it has been very favourably commented on by the Press over there. I know earlier, back in January, I expressed doubts about an ambitious program to attract sponsorships. But I can now see that this, again, highly ambitious project, embarked upon in the most adverse circumstances may well prove to be the vehicle for attracting the attention of a lot more people than you would otherwise have expected.
SQUADRON LEADER, THE ROYAL SCOTS DRAGOON GUARDS
Findlay is an intelligent and articulate person. He has shown himself to be mentally robust and resilient when under severe pressure. He is an enthusiastic individual with a very strong creative streak and capacity for original thought. He is a disciplined person who is well able to organise himself and others and give a high standard of leadership, both individual and team. He is responsible, caring and compassionate but has the necessary strength of character to show steel when required. Findlay has a fairly extrovert character and is able to mix and communicate with a wide variety of people from different age groups and backgrounds. He has several years of experience working with and leading soldiers in a variety of situations including general war. This experience overlays his natural artistic talent and makes him a highly employable individual.