At this year’s Highland Business Dinner, Inverness Chamber of Commerce welcomed Phil Spencer MBE – acclaimed TV presenter, entrepreneur and charity patron – as keynote speaker who entertained guests with behind-the-scenes stories from more than two decades in television, and insights into the changing dynamics of the UK housing market.
Ahead of the dinner our CEO, Colin Marr, sat down the Phil for a wide-ranging conversation covering business, housing, and social impact, supported by Speaker Sponsor, Brodies LLP.
The discussion offered both practical insights and personal reflections shaped by Phil’s career and experiences which we’re now sharing as a four-part ‘In Conversation’ video series, each exploring a different theme.
From idea to opportunity
What does it take to turn an idea into something real?
Phil’s journey into business wasn’t planned. After qualifying as a surveyor, he spotted something in the property market that didn’t sit right. Buyers weren’t truly being represented. That observation gave him an idea, and ultimately, a new business approach.
His experience is a reminder that opportunity often starts with questioning the current ways of working and having the confidence to act on it, even when others are not convinced.
Advice for entrepreneurs and the Highland housing challenge
Drawing on his early business experiences, Phil shares honest advice for entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of backing your idea, building strong relationships, and staying resilient when facing setbacks.
But the conversation goes beyond individual success.
Turning to the Highlands, Phil highlights on the region’s significant growth potential, and the challenges that must be addressed to unlock it. With major opportunities on the horizon, particularly in sectors like clean energy, housing emerges as a critical factor in supporting sustainable growth for the region.
A personal perspective, home and homelessness
As a long-standing supporter and patron of St Mungo’s, a leading UK homeless charity supporting over 3150 people every night, Phil brings a personal perspective to the issue of homelessness.
Having spent over 25 years working with the charity, he reflects on what “home” truly means to him and how quickly people’s circumstances can change for individuals and families.
It’s a powerful and human reminder of why this issue matters, and the role we can all play in supporting the challenges of homelessness.
Changing lifestyles and the future of property
The way people live and work is changing, and so too are their choices about where to call home.
In the final part of the series, Colin and Phil explore how shifting lifestyles, including the rise of remote working, are influencing buying habits and opening up new opportunities for rural and coastal areas.
Phil also shares some of the most memorable properties and experiences from his career, offering a unique perspective on what makes a place truly special.
A conversation that matters for the Highlands
This conversation highlights the connections between entrepreneurship, place, and opportunity, key themes for the Highlands as we look to the future.
From supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs to addressing critical challenges like housing, the insights shared by Phil Spencer MBE provide valuable food for thought for businesses, policymakers and communities alike.
As Speaker Sponsor of the Highland Business Dinner 2026, Brodies is proud to support conversations around the future of housing, infrastructure and regional development.
Ahead of the 2026 Highland Business Dinner, Gary Webster, Partner at Brodies LLP, reflected on the scale of opportunity emerging across the region – from major infrastructure projects and energy transition developments to housing delivery and placemaking.
Read Gary’s blog where he highlights the importance of long-term collaboration between businesses, investors, public bodies and communities to ensure the Highlands can fully realise the benefits of this transformational period of growth.