17 Sep 2026
By Ben Cornelius, Membership Executive
My time as Membership Executive at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is coming to an end, so I wanted to reflect and share some of the highlights and memories from the last two(ish) years and let you know what’s next!
The Commonwealth Games
This was a real highlight for me, and for the city. The morning of my interview for this role, the news was announced that Glasgow would be hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games. I was a Clydesider back in 2014, as a ball boy for the rugby sevens, so I felt connected to the Games. It was an exciting prospect to have the potential to be professionally involved in some way.
I got to see the qualifying event for the swimming, and then the first medal event for para powerlifting in the Armadillo. And I got a bit emotional seeing Mark Swan sing the national anthem and watching the flags being raised.
Women in Property Dinner
This was such a fun evening! Kindly invited along by Material Source Studios, this dinner had a really fun mix of guests around the table. I was nominated as team captain to keep the energy up, and everyone held up their end of the bargain by being jolly and getting up on the dance floor for a classic event saxophone solo. I met some great people that evening, and getting dressed up in black tie is always a good time, especially when you bump into five people you know on the way and look important.
ACTS Toolkit Launch
This was the period when I became really close to colleagues Tabitha and John from the Circular Glasgow team. We properly bonded during this time, and it was when I really felt like I was building a support system at work.
They absolutely smashed it, and seeing them put so much hard work in behind the scenes and present their work incredibly well was a real proud moment!
Coffee Meets
This was not one standout highlight, but a consistent highlight of most weeks. Grabbing coffee with a member, hearing about their organisation, and then sharing all the ways they can maximise their membership was a great feeling.
It was always fun to try and meet someone you have never seen before in your life and then try to identify them in the café. It was a fun challenge. 11am and 2:30pm are the best times to meet for coffee, in my opinion.
SUGO Opening
I was invited along to the SUGO opening at their Glasgow West End location by Big Think Agency, and this night was so much fun. The food was incredible, the drinks were flowing, and we left with a branded apron to remind ourselves of a wonderful evening.
We loved cosplaying as influencers that night!
Bonus One
And this one is a real cliché, but looking out the window every day at George Square and Glasgow City Council’s City Chambers building was a really nice break away from the screen. Watching it literally be built brick by brick was pretty cool.
What’s Next!
The big question that everyone is asking! I will be heading off to Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) to be a part of their corporate partnerships team, and I am so excited for this next move! It feels like it will be a similar sort of role, but working with businesses to raise money for the network of Nooks across Scotland.
I would also just like to say a massive thank you to Heather and Sarah for giving me the opportunity, hiring me into this role, putting in the time to train me up, and allowing me to go out and share everything the Chamber can offer. I really appreciate it!
I am so keen to keep in contact with so many amazing people in the Chamber network, so please do keep in touch and connect on LinkedIn.
Will Ben’s bulletins continue… honestly, who knows!
