John Carruthers Scott

At the age of 18, following a college course in business and the untimely death of his father, John Scott found himself at the helm of the then-fledgling Scott Timber Ltd. business. With dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm, John assumed the position of Managing Director and steered the business on a course of sustained growth and development.

The business was transformed from a very small single-site sawmilling businesses to first become the UK’s largest manufacturer of timber pallets, but ultimately becoming a diverse national industrial supplies business operating from 35 UK locations, and reaching global markets from an operation established in the Baltic states.

The business operated three distinct divisions: Scott Pallets supplying new and reconditioned pallets to many of the UK’s largest manufacturing businesses, Scott Direct supplying workwear, small tools, and industrial consumables, and Scott Properties managing a growing portfolio of more than 70 industrial properties. Recent diversification has seen the property business involved in residential development and the UK holiday lets business.

By 2022, the Scott Group business was generating annual sales in excess of £300m and delivering EBITDA of more than £35m, whilst employing more than 1,300 people. In November 2022, the Scott Pallet business was sold to a large international business, and this was followed by the sale of the Scott Direct business in March 2024. The Property division continues to grow and prosper.

Throughout the time of his involvement in the Scott Group business, John Scott’s role has been across every part and function of the business, but as the business grew and diversified this allowed John to focus on setting the strategic goals for the firm and delivering the many acquisitions which, together with sustained organic growth, kept the business on track, consistently outperforming ambitious targets and achieving a market-leading position.