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the ScottishShutter company ...and blinds since 1987

Behind the Scenes

Life at SSC

The people, the places, the odd night out. Not everything is about shutters and blinds.

The National Entrepreneur Awards 2026 Best Innovation Finalist badge, showing the Entrepreneurs Circle trophy
AwardsEntrepreneurs Circle

Finalist for Best Innovation at the National Entrepreneur Awards

The Entrepreneurs Circle has named The Scottish Shutter Company a finalist for Best Innovation at its 14th National Entrepreneur Awards. The recognition is for SSC Brain, the platform the company built in house and now uses to help run the business every day. It began on 30 November 2022, the day ChatGPT launched, when founder David Browne asked it what it knew about the company. It knew nothing. Having run the firm's own search advertising since 2011, he could see how customers find a business starting to change, and he could see there is no way to buy a recommendation from an AI. A company has to be understood well enough to be named. Teaching a machine the hardest part of the trade, pricing made to measure shading correctly, took twenty seven months. The platform has worked alongside the team every working day since February 2025, and it designed and built this website. None of it was built to sell. It was built because a small Scottish company needed it, and other businesses have since asked for the same. The winners are announced live on stage at the National Entrepreneurs Convention in Birmingham on 7 September 2026.

Dundee and Angus Chamber Champion Awards 2026 finalist badges for The Scottish Shutter Company in Digital Innovation Business and for David Browne in Digital Innovation Individual
AwardsDundee

Chamber Champion Awards 2026 Finalists in Two Categories

The Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce has named The Scottish Shutter Company a finalist in its 2026 Chamber Champion Awards, in two categories at once: Digital Innovation Business for the company, and Digital Innovation Individual for founder David Browne. The recognition is for SSC Brain, the platform the team built in house to take care of the day to day running of the business. With a team of eight covering the whole of Scotland, some 35,000 square miles from Shetland to Newcastle, the company needed to work far more efficiently than its size suggests. SSC Brain quietly handles much of the background work, from supplier paperwork to scheduling and record keeping, so the people our customers deal with are free to do what they do best. Every survey, every design appointment and every installation is still carried out in person by the same small, directly employed team. Finalist filming takes place at the end of June, the judging panel meets in August, and the winners are announced at the Awards Lunch at the Apex Hotel City Quay on 9 September 2026.

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David D'Ambrosio in a Boston Red Sox cap and bright patterned top with his long standing friend Oliver Kupka in a white football shirt, outside the Cheers bar in Boston during the World Cup
TeamOn the RoadWorld Cup

A World Cup Reunion in Boston

Technical Director David D'Ambrosio caught up with an old friend in Boston during the World Cup. Oliver Kupka, from Germany, is a great friend of both David and Judith, having first met Judith when the two were students together at the University of Alcalá in Spain in the early 2000s. They have stayed close friends ever since, meeting up from time to time in different parts of the world. This time the reunion took place outside the famous Cheers bar on Beacon Hill.

The Scottish Shutter Company and Luxaflex joint stand at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show, SEC Glasgow, with visitors browsing the displays
LuxaflexOn the RoadMarketing

A Busy Saturday at the Homebuilding Show

The SEC Glasgow was packed today for day one of the Homebuilding and Renovating Show, and our joint stand with Luxaflex saw a steady stream of homeowners and self builders from the moment the doors opened. Live displays of shutters, Duette honeycomb blinds, Pirouette, Silhouette and the Powerview motorised system gave visitors a real feel for how each product looks and works in a finished home. Saturdays at consumer shows are always the busiest of the weekend, and this one did not disappoint. The show continues on Sunday. If you came over for a chat, thank you, we will be in touch next week.

Judith D'Ambrosio and David D'Ambrosio on the joint Scottish Shutter Company and Luxaflex stand at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show at SEC Glasgow
LuxaflexOn the RoadTeam

Flying the Flag at SEC Glasgow

Judith and David D'Ambrosio took the lead on the joint Scottish Shutter Company and Luxaflex stand at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the SEC this weekend. As Scotland's only Luxaflex Gallery Dealer, the stand showcased the full breadth of what we offer, from interior shutters to motorised honeycomb blinds, all controllable from the Powerview app on the big screen behind them. A rewarding day meeting homeowners at exactly the moment shading decisions matter most, when the build or renovation is still on paper and the windows have not yet been ordered.

David Browne celebrating his 75th birthday with daughter Judith and granddaughters Olivia and Chloe, cake on the table
TeamLuxaflex

Two 75ths, one window

A nice coincidence to share. Luxaflex is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and so is David Browne, our Project Director and Co-Founder. In 1951, the Hunter Douglas family began making aluminium blinds in Rotterdam. The brand they built became Luxaflex. The same year, David was born in England. Three quarters of a century later, the two stories meet at a Scottish window. The Scottish Shutter Company is proud to be Scotland's only Luxaflex Gallery Dealer, and proud of the partnership that lets us bring 75 years of Dutch engineering into Scottish homes alongside our own family business. The photo is from David's birthday earlier this month, with daughter Judith (Customer Service Director) and granddaughters Olivia and Chloe.

Judith locking the front door of the Dundee Design Studio on Ainslie Street for the last time after 17 years
DundeeDesign Studios

The Last Turn of the Key at Ainslie Street

On Monday afternoon, Judith turned the key in the door of our Ainslie Street building for the last time. Seventeen years in one place, closed with a single quiet click. We bought Ainslie Street in December 2008 and so much of what has shaped the company since then happened behind that door. Thousands of consultations, the arrival of Luxaflex in 2018, the BBSA presidency, lockdown, awards, and Grandad coming in every week to tidy cardboard well into his nineties. The building is sold and we no longer have access, which is why there is no "We have moved" sign in the window. If you tried to visit in the last few weeks and were met with a closed door, we are genuinely sorry. Our brand new Dundee Design Studio opens late May 2026 at Unit 7, Riverside House, 11 Luna Place, Dundee DD2 1TP, by appointment only. We will be opening a waiting list soon for the first visits. In the meantime, our Edinburgh Design Studio at 67 Ratcliffe Terrace remains open by appointment, and our specialists continue to visit clients at home all over Scotland.

Day one of the new Dundee Design Studio build with timber stacked and construction underway
DundeeDesign Studios

A New Design Studio Takes Shape

Day one of the build. Our brand new Dundee Design Studio is officially under construction. Timber is stacked and the space is starting to come to life. This will be a studio designed from scratch to give clients the best possible experience, with full height product displays, a dedicated consultation area, and room to showcase the complete range of shutters, blinds and shading solutions. We have been planning this move for months and seeing it finally take physical shape is a brilliant feeling. Opening late May 2026, this will be unlike anything we have done before. Watch this space.

The Dundee Design Studio on Ainslie Street being cleared after 17 years
DundeeDesign Studios

Goodbye Ainslie Street

After 17 years, we are saying goodbye to our Dundee Design Studio on Ainslie Street. This space has been the home of countless consultations, thousands of product displays, and some very memorable moments with clients from across Tayside and beyond. Clearing it out has been bittersweet, but the excitement of what comes next more than makes up for it. We are moving into a brand new Design Studio in Dundee, opening late May 2026, and we cannot wait to welcome clients into a space that has been designed from the ground up to showcase the very best in shutters, blinds and shading. Our Edinburgh Design Studio at 67 Ratcliffe Terrace remains unchanged. More details on the new Dundee studio coming soon.

A stunning new build property on Shetland fitted with motorised cellular blinds by The Scottish Shutter Company
InstallationsShetlandHighlands & Islands

Motorised Blinds on Shetland

Leon and David D made the trip to Shetland this month to fit motorised cellular blinds for one of our wonderful clients. The property is a beautifully finished new build with gable windows, skylights, and bifold doors, all now fitted with Duette blinds for insulation and light control. The weather was glorious and the location absolutely stunning. This is what we love about covering the whole of Scotland. From the central belt to the islands, every installation is different, and some come with a view that makes the journey more than worthwhile. If you are in the Highlands or Islands and think we cannot reach you, think again. Our own fitting team travels to every corner of Scotland.

The Garant store in Copenhagen, home to a Luxaflex retail concept area
IndustryLuxaflex

Exploring New Luxaflex Store Concepts in Copenhagen

Judith and David recently travelled to Copenhagen to visit one of the latest Luxaflex retail concept stores, hosted inside Garant, one of Denmark's leading furniture and interiors retailers. The visit provided a fascinating opportunity to see how the Luxaflex brand is presenting its products in Scandinavia, with a strong focus on lifestyle displays, design led merchandising and interactive customer experience, including self service kiosks where customers can explore the full Luxaflex range. Trips like this are an important part of staying at the forefront of the shading industry. By seeing how other markets present products such as Duette blinds, roller blinds and automated shading systems, we can continue refining the experience we offer our own clients here in Scotland. We are always looking for new ideas that help people better understand how shading solutions work in real homes, and visits like this provide valuable inspiration.

David and Judith at the BBSA Awards Dinner 2026
AwardsBBSA

BBSA Awards Dinner 2026

David and Judith scrubbed up for the BBSA Awards Dinner in Manchester. A brilliant night celebrating the best in the blind and shutter industry. We were thrilled to win three national awards: Best Internal Shutter Installation, Best Independent Showroom for our Edinburgh studio, and Best Marketing Programme. Three awards in one evening is a tremendous achievement for the whole team.

Leon enjoying a Portsoy Ice Cream cone during a lunchbreak on the road
On the Road

Lunchtime in Portsoy

One of the perks of covering all of Scotland? Finding the best local spots. Our Installations Manager Leon grabbed a Portsoy Ice Cream while working up in Aberdeenshire and declared it the best ice cream he has ever tasted. We are not in a position to argue with that.

David Browne with Sir Chris Hoy at the National Entrepreneurs Convention
HealthThe Circular

Ten years and counting

March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. David shares his story, ten years on from a prostate cancer diagnosis, and why a simple PSA blood test could save your life. Inspired by fellow Scot Sir Chris Hoy, who went public with his own diagnosis in 2024, this is a reminder that early detection changes everything. Written for The Circular, the monthly magazine for small business owners published by the Entrepreneurs Circle. David has been a monthly columnist since 2015.

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David Browne and David D'Ambrosio with comedian Jim Jeffries in Glasgow, November 2025
Nights Out

A night out with Jim Jeffries

David Browne and David D'Ambrosio backstage with our favourite comedian Jim Jeffries after his show in Glasgow. Not every team night out involves shutters and blinds. Some involve stand up comedy, a lot of laughing, and a photo you can brag about for years.

The SSC team on a Jackal military vehicle during a team building day with the Royal Marines
TeamThe Circular

Team day with the Royal Marines

We spent a day with the Royal Marines at their base for a proper team building session. Obstacle courses, simulated missions, and a lot of mud. Our Technical Director David D'Ambrosio is a former Royal Marine, so this was a return to familiar ground for him. The highlight? Climbing into a Jackal, a £750,000 open top military reconnaissance vehicle. David wrote about the experience for The Circular, the monthly magazine for small business owners published by the Entrepreneurs Circle, reflecting on how the same technology powering military hardware is helping small businesses like ours quote faster, reduce errors, and give customers a better experience.

David D'Ambrosio on stage as BBSA President at the 2024 BBSA Excellence Awards
BBSAAwards

David D'Ambrosio comperes the BBSA Awards

Our Technical Director David D'Ambrosio took to the stage as President of the British Blind and Shutter Association to compere the 2024 BBSA Excellence Awards. A proud moment for the whole team, and a reminder that SSC is right at the heart of the UK blind and shutter industry.

David Browne with Paul Hopkins and Tim Powell at the BBSA Awards 2024
BBSAIndustry

Three generations of the industry

David Browne (centre) with two giants of the UK blind and shutter industry at the 2024 BBSA Awards. Paul Hopkins (left) was inducted into the BBSA Hall of Fame for his pioneering contribution to the industry. He brought interior shutters to the UK market through VBM, supplied John Lewis and Habitat, and later grew Blinds2go into one of the biggest online blinds businesses in the country. Tim Powell (right) has over 40 years in the trade, running Powell Blinds in Sussex, one of the UK's leading specialists in motorised and high end shading for prestigious commercial and residential projects. Between the three of them, well over a century of experience in the industry.

David Browne with Sarah Davies from BBC Dragons' Den at the Entrepreneurs Circle Convention 2022
Entrepreneurs Circle

David meets Sarah Davies from Dragons' Den

David Browne with Sarah Davies at the Entrepreneurs Circle Getting and Keeping Customers Convention. Sarah is one of the Dragons on BBC Dragons' Den and founder of Crafter's Companion, the craft supplies business she started from her university bedroom. A brilliant speaker and a genuinely warm person.

Judith D'Ambrosio with comedian Jimmy Carr at the Entrepreneurs Circle Convention 2022
Entrepreneurs Circle

Judith meets Jimmy Carr

Judith D'Ambrosio with Jimmy Carr at the Entrepreneurs Circle Convention. Jimmy was the headline entertainment for the evening. Whether you love his humour or not, the man knows how to work a room.

David Browne with Steven Bartlett, founder of Social Chain and BBC Dragons' Den investor, at an Entrepreneurs Circle event
Entrepreneurs Circle

David meets Steven Bartlett

David Browne with Steven Bartlett at an Entrepreneurs Circle event. Steven is the founder of Social Chain, host of The Diary of a CEO podcast, and one of the youngest ever Dragons on BBC Dragons' Den. His talk on building businesses in the digital age was one of the most inspiring we have heard.

David Browne with Phil "The Power" Taylor in front of a Winmau dartboard
Nights Out

A night out with Phil Taylor

David Browne with Phil "The Power" Taylor, the greatest darts player of all time. Sixteen World Championship titles, over 200 career tournament wins, and one of the most dominant sportsmen in any discipline. Sometimes the best business nights out have nothing to do with business at all.

David Browne on stage presenting to a large audience of business owners at the BBSA Show 2018
SpeakingBBSA

David speaks at the BBSA Show 2018

David Browne on stage at the 2018 BBSA Show, presenting to a packed audience of business owners from across the UK blind and shutter industry. The talk covered marketing, Google Ads, and why the principles that work for every other business work for ours too. Being invited to speak at the industry's biggest trade event was a recognition that SSC does things differently, and that other businesses want to learn how.

David Browne and David D'Ambrosio in black tie holding the BBSA Excellence Award trophy at the 2019 BBSA Awards, the BBSA centenary year
AwardsBBSA

BBSA Excellence Award winners 2019

David Browne and David D'Ambrosio collecting the BBSA Excellence Award at the 2019 ceremony. This was a special year for the industry, marking the centenary of the British Blind and Shutter Association (1919 to 2019). A hundred years of the trade body that represents the best in the UK blind and shutter industry, and SSC right there among the winners.

David Browne delivering a marketing masterclass at a Barefoot Digital event
SpeakingMarketing

A David Browne Masterclass

David Browne on stage delivering a marketing masterclass for fellow business owners at a Barefoot Digital event. Sharing what works, what does not, and what we have learned building The Scottish Shutter Company over three decades. The best way to learn is to teach.

The Sunday Post Broons Awards 2016 full page featuring The Scottish Shutter Company as Family Business of the Year finalists
AwardsPress

The Broons Awards: Family Business of the Year

SSC featured in The Sunday Post as finalists for Family Business of the Year at The Broons Awards 2016. Named after Scotland's most famous family from the DC Thomson comic strip, The Broons Awards celebrate the best of Scottish family life and business. Being recognised alongside other fantastic Scottish family firms in a national newspaper was a proud moment for the whole team.

David Browne on stage at the National Convention for Entrepreneurs in Birmingham accepting the Marketing Campaign of the Year award from Raz Razak
AwardsEntrepreneurs Circle

SSC wins Marketing Campaign of the Year

David Browne on stage at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham, accepting the Marketing Campaign of the Year award at the first National Convention for Entrepreneurs. The award was presented by Raz Razak, the serial entrepreneur behind the UK's biggest Indian restaurant franchise and star of Channel 4's Secret Millionaire. Olympian Sir Chris Hoy was the guest speaker and TV personality Alistair McGowan hosted the ceremony. Over 1,300 delegates from across the UK. SSC was also runner up for Entrepreneur of the Year.

David Browne with Marcus Sheridan, author of They Ask You Answer, at an Entrepreneurs Circle event
Entrepreneurs Circle

David meets Marcus Sheridan

David Browne with Marcus Sheridan at an Entrepreneurs Circle event. Marcus is the author of They Ask, You Answer, one of the most influential marketing books of the last decade, The Visual Sale, and his latest, Endless Customers. His books are a blueprint for how businesses should use content to build trust with customers. His philosophy that the companies who are willing to answer their customers' questions honestly and openly will always win is something we have built into the DNA of how SSC operates. A genuinely inspiring speaker and a good man.

David Browne with Sir Chris Hoy at the National Entrepreneurs Convention 2013
Entrepreneurs Circle

David meets Sir Chris Hoy

David Browne with Sir Chris Hoy at the National Entrepreneurs Convention in 2013. Six Olympic gold medals, eleven World Championship titles, and one of the greatest athletes Scotland has ever produced. Chris was the guest speaker at the event and his talk on achievement, resilience, and pushing beyond what you think is possible stayed with everyone in the room. Years later, when Chris went public with his prostate cancer diagnosis, it hit close to home for David, who had been through the same journey himself.

Photographs with public figures were taken at industry events and conferences we attended. Their appearance on this page does not imply any endorsement of The Scottish Shutter Company or our products and services.

Now you have met the team

If you are thinking about shutters, blinds, or awnings for your home, we would love to help. Request our 52 page brochure or arrange a consultation at your home or one of our Design Studios.

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