For someone who never wanted to run an agency, Ian McAteer has made quite the career out of it as Founder and Chairman of The Union, Scotland’s longest running independent creative agency.

Creeping close to their 30th birthday, The Union have watched and traversed an incredible change in the industry and technology, they’ve layered new services into the business, grown, challenged the market, and currently employ 85 staff. They’ve weathered recessions, crises, the loss of a Director and more.

Despite this, Ian says he doesn’t feel the business is successful - sound strange? I thought so too! But his insight into why, and the way this mindset drives him as a Chairman is enlightening. We cover all sorts of challenges, and that one time he was nearly arrested at the office…

Why not learn more about The Union and each of its different arms.

Read more about Ian's thoughts on winning and losing, or about the granny and her £20k that saved the business!

A celebration of the life of Simon, Ian's co-founder.

The obituary for Kyle Hardie, the Union's MD.