Be Change - An Evening with Mary Portas

Mary Portas was in town last night. She came up to Glasgow to present her new book “I Shop, Therefore I Am”, at an event organised by the brilliant independent bookstore Bigglestones Books, just a short walk from Il Salotto, and held at the beautiful Trades Hall.

During a lively hour-long conversation, superbly led by Fiona Stalker (BBC), we travelled through Mary’s journey - from her teenage years to her thirties, when she joined the Board of Directors at Harvey Nichols. She shared how she transformed a stiff and uninspiring retail environment into the vibrant, fashion-forward HN we know today.

“I was dressed like Cyndi Lauper in a world of Lady Dis,” she said - and that summed it up perfectly. Mary brought energy, creativity, and a deep understanding of what it takes to leave a mark and change a brand’s perception.

The evening was full of brilliant insights, sharp wit, and an endless list of quotes worth remembering. Listening to her felt like stepping into another era - one where bold ideas could truly shake up the system. I sometimes wonder if it’s still possible to be that groundbreaking so early in your career today.

I knew who Mary Portas was, of course - but I didn’t know she was this funny, wise, inspirational, and above all, kind. She spoke passionately about the importance of having a moral compass in business and the power of kindness:

It’s possible to be successful while being kind.

It's possible to make money and stay true to your values.

It's possible to run a big company while caring deeply for your people.

It was such a powerful message - and one I was desperate to hear.

When the floor opened for questions, people asked about leadership, business, and how to inspire the next generation. My question was a bit naff, I’ll admit, but I really just wanted to thank her - for her words of hope, for her humanity, and for reminding us that change is possible.

Her answer? Simple, and unforgettable:

“Be Change.”