EDUCATION, FUN & FINANCE

Fiona Scott
5 min readAug 3, 2024

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For Dave, money isn’t about dry pensions or investments — it’s about future, fun and family

I’m so pleased to be able to introduce three more of the wonderful individuals on Scott Media Speakers and this week, all three of them are retained clients who I know very, very well indeed. Don’t forget though that you can check out all of my speakers for your event here https://scottmedia.uk/speakers/

First up Dave Southby, a young man with a vision to help people understand how money and planning allows him to guide people to fulfill their dreams.

From Mechanics to Financial Mastery

Sometimes the path to success isn’t particularly straight and narrow. Take Dave Southby, for example. He’s a financial advisor whose journey is as unique as the advice he provides.

He may be only 30, but Dave has already made waves in the world of wealth management. Named a top-rated advisor by The Sunday Times, he’s proving that age really doesn’t matter when it comes to financial expertise — what really matters is understanding and serving people.

Dave didn’t start in the world of finance. He began in a garage, where he gained his work ethic as a mechanic. It was where he learned the value of dedication and attention to detail — skills that would serve him well in the future.

From the garage, Dave moved into sales, where his genuine desire to help others shone through. It was this that his passion for guiding people towards better financial decisions grew.

Now, as a trusted advisor aligned with St. James’s Place, Dave is on a mission to demystify wealth management. He’s not just about numbers and portfolios; Dave wants to educate and empower his clients, helping them understand the ‘why’ behind financial strategies and how by planning early anyone can achieve their future desires.

What strikes me most about Dave is his commitment to making a positive impact. Whether he’s helping a couple plan for retirement or advising a business on investment strategies, Dave brings the same level of dedication he learned back in his mechanic days.

Based in Swindon and enjoying being a new dad, Dave is proof that with passion, hard work, and a genuine desire to help others, you can achieve remarkable things — no matter where you start. Dave can be found here: https://scottmedia.uk/speakers-list/dave-southby/

Helen embraced education later in life and now she helps others achieve their ambitions from a young age

The Queen of Summer Camps

Education is central to transforming lives, and Helen Lami is living proof of that. She’s a woman who’s turned a belief into a thriving business and a life’s mission.

Helen is the CEO of Academic Summer, a company she founded in 2008 that’s redefining what a summer camp can be for young people. With over 25 years of experience working with international students, Helen has earned the title “Queen of Summer Camps.”

Helen’s perspective is global. Fluent in Albanian and with three decades of connection to the country through marriage, she embodies the intercultural spirit that can transform today’s world. She leads a diverse international team and works with partners worldwide, bringing a truly global outlook to her work.

With her team she provides exceptional school holiday camps for both UK students and overseas students to get them where they want to be in further or higher education — anywhere in the world. She does this in London, Somerset and also in Canada.

But Helen’s not just about business. Academic Summer also supports Theirworld, a charity working to end the global education crisis. It’s the blend of entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility that makes Helen such an inspiring figure.

As a female leader in business, Helen gets through challenges confidently and celebrates triumphs quietly. She’s proof of what can be achieved in the business world, and her journey is sure to inspire others.

When she’s not re-inventing summer camps or speaking to captivated audiences, you might find Helen enjoying time with her two cockapoos and her husband Turi. It’s this balance of professional drive and personal joy that makes Helen such a relatable and inspiring figure.

Helen Lami is proof that with vision, determination, and a global outlook, you can build a business that doesn’t just succeed — it makes a real difference in the world.

Find out more about Helen here — https://scottmedia.uk/speakers-list/helen-lami/

Rob brings joy to the world of business, proving that digital marketing can be both fun and profitable

Community-Driven and Customer-focussed

Good digital marketing transforms businesses. Ask Rob Curtis, a man who’s turned that premise into an award-winning company in just two years.

Rob runs The Pursuit Agency, a digital marketing firm that’s making a difference in Swindon and beyond. He has a passion for coming up with strategies unique to each of the businesses he works with. In a world of off- the-shelf solutions, Rob’s individual approach is refreshingly effective.

But his journey isn’t one of instant success. He worked for eight years in digital marketing before taking the leap to start his own agency. Rob brings his own blend of experience and entrepreneurial spirit to the party.

And people have taken notice. Just a year after launching The Pursuit Agency, Rob was named Start Up of the Year at the national Great British Business & Community Awards. The judges were impressed by his financial acumen, noting that the company turned a profit in its very first month!

What we love about Rob’s story is his emphasis on community. He credits clients, business buddies, and his support network for their roles in his success. It’s a reminder that relationships matter whatever business you’re in and he’s a huge and passionate champion of his home town of Swindon.

Rob’s expertise covers SEO, pay-per-click advertising, and content marketing. But it’s not just about tactics for him. He wants to help businesses become visible and credible in their industries.

Working with local organic farms or global answering services, Rob’s diverse client base shows the versatility of his skills.

Rob Curtis is proof that with passion, expertise, and a community-minded approach, you can build a thriving business that makes a real difference. Keep an eye on this digital marketing maestro — he’s just getting started!

Find out more about Rob here https://scottmedia.uk/speakers-list/rob-curtis/

Next week, I’ll be introducing you to three more new faces!

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Fiona Scott

Fiona has been a UK journalist for more than 30 years as well as being a freelance tv producer director. She’s also had her own media consultancy since 2008.