East Park is a well‑established Scottish charity delivering specialist education and care services for children and young people with complex support needs. The organisation has a long history of providing safe, nurturing environments that enable young people to develop, grow, and prepare for adulthood.
The Chief Executive will lead the organisation overall, setting clear strategic direction and overseeing day‑to‑day delivery, while working closely with the Board to secure East Park’s long‑term sustainability and positive impact.
Is Golf Still the Ultimate Networking Move?
Lighter nights are here, it’s Masters week and like a lot of people in my network, I’m excited about the prospect of a post dinner Tee Time – which got me thinking, are Corporate Golf Days still relevant?
Once upon a time, corporate golf days were the ultimate networking flex—sealing deals, building relationships, and giving rather long putts to clients. Then COVID happened, and suddenly, golf days started to disappear. So five years later, is in-person networking back? And is golf still the go-to?
The Comeback of Face-to-Face Networking
Turns out, people missed actual human interaction. A Harvard study suggests 72% of professionals prefer in-person meetings. At Livingston James we’ve got a number of brilliant event series running including our Future CEO series, No Diversity No Deal, CFO to CEO and our NXD events with some great feedback. We love bringing great people together. Companies are returning to in-person, but the question is: has corporate golf kept its VIP status? Yes and no. Some firms are cutting back on lavish outings, while others see golf as a great way to bond—four hours of forced socialising with no escape. Still, the sport is evolving, with beginner-friendly days, shorter games, and alternative outdoor events to make networking more accessible.
Is It Inclusive? Or Just an Old Boys’ Club?
Let’s be real, golf hasn’t always been the most welcoming sport. But businesses are shaking things up:
The Verdict: Keep Golfing, But Read the Room
Networking is back, and corporate golf still has its place—if it evolves. I think it’s about keeping it fun, inclusive, and flexible. For me personally, hitting the course is great for my mental health (usually) and 9 holes at 8am with a client that plays can be much more productive than a Teams call.
At Livingston James a few of us have been thinking again about a corporate golf day in the future which can raise money for charity and offer up great networking opportunities. Who’s up for that? Essentially I just wrote this to see what other golfers are in my network. Get in touch if you want to connect over a game – [email protected].
Can we help?
If you are looking for leadership advisory or recruitment support, please get in touch with our team of experts.
More Articles...
The HR-CEO Paradox: Right Skills, Wrong Pathways
Despite possessing skills increasingly valued in modern leadership, such as emotional intelligence, change leadership, and organisational capability, HR leaders rarely progress to CEO roles. Livingston James Director, Ali Shaw recently shared insights from our latest research report in association with EY: The Future CEO Report, and how these findings can support succession planning for HR leaders.
Livingston James is Delighted to Partner with East Park to Appoint Chief Executive
East Park is a well‑established Scottish charity delivering specialist education and care services for children and young people with complex support needs. The organisation has a long history of providing safe, nurturing environments that enable young people to develop, grow, and prepare for adulthood.
The Chief Executive will lead the organisation overall, setting clear strategic direction and overseeing day‑to‑day delivery, while working closely with the Board to secure East Park’s long‑term sustainability and positive impact.
Livingston James Partners with Acrux Gold to Recruit Head of People & Culture
Acrux Gold is a vertically integrated precious metals business and the parent company of SGZ Cononish Limited, operator of Scotland’s only commercial gold and silver mine, with operations in the UK and South Africa.
Acrux Gold is appointing a Head of People & Culture to establish and lead the people function, supporting international growth and building the capability, culture and infrastructure required for long‑term operational success.