10 February 2026
Mark Armstrong of Collective Communities CIC, explains how true business growth comes through collaboration, with opportunity being built by sharing leadership, learning and working space with emerging talent.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while building a Community Interest Company is that growth doesn’t come from doing everything yourself. It comes from collaboration, from inviting others in, sharing space and learning, and being open to being shaped by the people who pass through your organisation.
At Collective Communities, we are determined that we collaborate with others. It’s fundamental to how we work. We partner with local businesses, further and higher education institutions, and programmes that support people at key transition points, students, graduates, interns, and those changing careers or direction. By doing so, we can grow connections, opportunity and value.
This month, rather than writing about that approach, I wanted to demonstrate it. So, I’ve handed much of this column over to two people who have been part of our recent journey, and I want to credit them properly for their words.
Mia joined Collective Communities through Discover Glasgow, arriving from Australia via a university partnership that combines travel with professional experience. Over two months, she became embedded in our day-to-day work, contributing to digital communications, community engagement and programme delivery. In her own words:
“I’ve spent the last two months over from Australia interning with Collective Communities CIC. I found this opportunity through my university’s partnership with World Endeavours and loved that it combined travel and work experience. I have always enjoyed visiting the UK and was excited to explore Scotland more whilst also gaining professional experience in a workplace environment. While with Collective Communities I have been focusing on reviving their social media pages and building up their digital presence to increase awareness of the facilities and community programmes. I have been involved in creating and writing content for the different platforms and have found it to be both enjoyable and challenging. I can confidently say that my time here has grown me immensely, and I know that when I leave, I will be leaving with much more knowledge and skills that can be used back home.”
What Mia captures here is something we see time and again, that learning accelerates when people are trusted with real responsibility and welcomed into a living organisation, rather than treated as observers.
She goes on to reflect on being immersed in our peer-led enterprise programme and the realities facing early-stage entrepreneurs:
“While here I have also had the chance to participate in the Collective Communities Circle meetings and get to know the current group of participants. This has been a wonderful insight into what it takes to set up a business and the different barriers that people are facing. Through this I have had the opportunity to help deliver a digital skills workshop. Being at CC during this time has also meant being able to help promote our new community programme, Enterprise in Place.”
Her reflection closes with something that matters deeply to us as a CIC:
“This opportunity has enabled me to gain professional experience within the business context and allowed me to learn first-hand from those with a wealth of knowledge and experience. I still
have another two years of university once I leave here but I am excited to keep learning and growing. This experience at Collective Communities has been invaluable and I have loved working with the team.”
Shannon joined us through Step Up to Net Zero, a programme delivered by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, and works closely with the team at Collective Communities. A recent graduate specialising in sustainability, her placement focuses on turning net zero ambition into practical business action.
She writes:
“I have recently graduated from the University of St Andrews with an MA in International Relations, specialising in Sustainability. I wanted to begin my career in a field I could see making a true difference to my community. Though I cannot make an impact regarding the climate crisis on an international scale yet, making a difference for my local community is the first step in the right direction, paving a way to create productive conversations surrounding climate literacy.”
Shannon’s role is grounded in delivery as much as principle:
“As the Step Up to Net Zero Project Coordinator, I ensure the Action Plan, that was collaboratively written by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce with David McBeth and Mark Armstrong of Collective Communities CIC, is carried out. We have short-, medium-, and long-term goals, where we are specifically focusing on the short-term goals during this 16-week placement programme. The goals are under three overarching themes, circular economy actions, net zero strategies, and waste management.”
What stands out most strongly is her reflection on culture:
“So far, I have truly seen the benefit that comes along with being in a collaborative environment that values communication. It is a direct way for my thoughts and ideas to be nurtured.”
Looking ahead, she articulates a challenge many organisations now face:
“I believe there is a dire need for the creation of roles that directly aligns with a company’s morals and ethics. A role that focuses specifically on sustainable business action showcases to those looking to be part of Glasgow Collective that we value the earth we inhabit.”
She closes with a reminder that sustainability and community are inseparable:
“Overall, my role at the Collective will foster human connection and community while crafting and sustaining business practices that support the environment. I hope to solidify my belief that the pillar of community is the sense of connection and belonging that comes with it.”
Mia and Shannon’s words speak for themselves. Together, they show what becomes possible when organisations collaborate with intention, across education, enterprise and sustainability.
Collective Communities set out to create environments where people can contribute meaningfully, develop confidence and feel a sense of belonging. Sometimes leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice. Sometimes it’s about stepping back, and letting others tell the story.
This article was first published in The Herald on Friday 6 February 2026.