Magnus Houston

I have a diverse career background that includes professional motorcycle racing for Suzuki GB, competing in a support race to the World Superbikes.

Self-taught creel fisherman, founding and managing director of multiple seafood companies and in the alternative investment sector.

I am a graduate of MIT's Sloan School of Management, yet it was the people I met and socialised with at MIT that broadened my horizons and knowledge. I was fortunate to work with and learn from some of the web’s brightest marketing minds who understand SEO, CRO, building teams and brands.

I also attended extra MIT lectures and tuition on pricing and consumer psychology. This helped me with developing new products and packaging but plays a more consequential role as consumers perceptions of products and industry can change over time.

With my previous company Fishbox, I digitised a traditional business model. This required building and implementing a system with 4 times as many data collection points as Tesco Club Card Points. However, this was not what drove the subscription numbers and I dealt with every part of the marketing process, from the brand to aspirational videos and influencers to social media posts. Even in the early days of the company consumer and customer insights played a fundamental role in the development of the product and how we would market it. 

Awards & Recognition

2018 Scotland's Rising Star, EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award

2018 UK EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist

2017 Emerging Director of the Year, IoD Scotland

2016 Invited Speaker, Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards

2015 Winner, IoD Young Director of the Year, Institute of Directors

2015 Winner, Scottish Edge - Innovation in Industry Award

2015 Winner, Outstanding Performing Business, Chamber of Commerce

2015 Invitation to MIT Sloan, USA

2014 Finalist, Business Leader of the Year

2013 Highland Winner, Prince's Trust Business Scotland Young Entrepreneur Awards