Advertising feature Andrew Bruce explains how RBS shared his vision in order to help him open his new practice
Glasgow’s dental gallery widens smile
his brand new practice in Glasgow’s West End. “We’ve got 27,000 students on our
A
doorstep – these are potentially future professionals,” says Andrew. “We’re not going totally private, so we can offer these students a good entry level service.”
Although he’s had his own practice
since 1998, this latest phase in the development of the company, with the opening of the Glasgow Smile Gallery, is the most exciting by far. A member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Andrew has completed a raft of postgraduate courses and training in New York, Dubai and London, to offer the highest levels of cosmetic dentistry to his clients. “Over the past 10 or 15 years dentistry has changed quite dramatically and I want to be at the forefront of that,” Andrew states. “We’ve got the opportunity here to do something different – not just the same boring, clinical dental surgery, but something that offers a unique destination for all customers and is open to everybody. The location of the new practice reflects that. This is a happening, aspirational place and customers expect exceptional surroundings as well as service.”
Sharing the vision Scheduled to open in early 2011, it was a hectic period before opening with tight, immovable deadlines to meet in the purchase and transformation of the three-story townhouse where the practice is now based. “There was lots of different dimen-
sions to put in place – the biggest issue from the outset was finance,” explains Andrew. “Although I’d banked with RBS for a number of years, I’d always run a fairly tight ship. Yes, I had an
64 Scottish Dental magazine
ndrew Bruce joined RBS as a student. He’s still with the bank but now on a professional level as he launches
providing funding for the business mortgage, Andrew’s preference was for an overdraft rather than a term loan. This would give him the flexibility to pay down the debt as soon as possible, rather than over a specific term.
Specialist sector expertise The bank’s healthcare sector specialists also understand the ins and outs of the practice requirements, and Andrew describes Healthcare manager Bill Dickson as ‘fantastic at getting things done’. With clients travelling from all over
the world – from North America to the Mediterranean – to visit Andrew’s existing practice, he’s optimistic that his business objectives will be realised. “We want to grow our commer-
cially strong brand with honesty, transparency and integrity. We will also serve the population of Glasgow with exceptional customer service, a high level of expertise and fantastic dentistry. “This is going to be a slightly
“Everyone I met at RBS could see and
understand my vision and they were willing to be a part of it”
Andrew Bruce, Glasgow Smile Gallery
overdraft, but I’d never really used it. “From the newspapers, it sounded
like the banks and RBS in particular just weren’t lending, so I made sure that I did my due diligence and I was speaking to two other banks as well. But, when I showed RBS my business plan, they were happy. I was really impressed by their drive and their experience of the sector, as well as the professional way they handled the deal. They were always aware of the timeline and really good at meeting it. “Everyone I met at RBS could see and understand my vision and they were willing to be a part of it. They also worked well with the architects and lawyers, for example in the change of use paperwork, which made all the dif- ference to the transaction process.” The bank was also open to the
specific type of financial support that Andrew required. As well as
edgier, funkier dental practice, offering beauty services, implants, botox and plastic surgery consultation. Known as the Glasgow Smile Gallery, it’ll hopefully get Glasgow smiling.”
®
The Glasgow Smile Gallery can be followed on Twitter and Facebook.
To find out how RBS could help your business grow, visit
rbs.co.uk
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