Ian Ord is the founder of Fifth Ring, the Aberdeen-born marketing communications agency he launched in 1993 and helped grow from a generalist business into an international B2B specialist serving complex global markets. Today, he focusses on client growth and business development for Fifth Ring and is involved with a number of other companies, supporting their growth.

Building a Business and Backing Growth

Under Ian’s leadership, Fifth Ring expanded from Aberdeen into Singapore and Houston, building a reputation for helping brands “own their space” in the energy sector and other complex B2B markets. The business was later acquired by DC Thomson, and Ian has continued to be recognised for his thought leadership in storytelling, international growth, and the role of marketing in business transformation. 

Beyond Business: Why Golf Still Matters

Beyond business, Ian is known for the resilience and curiosity that shape both his leadership and his life. He has spoken openly about his experience with cancer and his long-standing charitable work. His wider golf network also reflects strong Aberdeen and international connections, including Bruce Davidson the Aberdeen-born PGA Master Professional who originally founded Kings Links Golf Centre (Marketed by Ian), Bruce later led golf operations at River Oaks following in the footsteps of the late great Dick Harmon, who became great friends with Ian. It was Dick who introduced Ian to Butch Harmon and his son Claude Harmon III who incredibly spent time learning his trade at Kings Links Golf Centre!

Houston has had a long-standing connection with Aberdeen since the expansion of the North Sea oil and gas business, and Bruce had the idea along with Ian’s help two pull the two centres together with a developmental programme for young golfers which led to the creation of the Grampian Houston Junior Golf Foundation in 1992. Between 1992 and 2017 over 160 North and Northeast Junior Golfers visited Texas to play golf and learn about the collegiate golf system in America. Over 40 went on to graduate from U.S. colleges. 

Bruce stepped away from River Oaks Country Club when an opportunity arose to work with The Friedkin Group, based in Houston. His collaborators and supporters Dan Friedkin and the late Bob McNair both wanted, like Bruce, to give something back to golf and created a new golf course in South Carolina named Congaree. Ian became closely associated with Congaree and serves as an ambassador of The Congaree Foundation, the philanthropic golf club built around educational and vocational opportunities for young people through the game which has helped dozens of students from the U.K. through the annual Congaree Global Golf Initiative.

Quick-Fire Q&A

Driver or wedge? Wedge

St Andrews Old Course or Augusta National? Augusta National

Indoor golf or outdoor golf? Outdoor golf

Meetings on the golf course or off the golf course? Off the golf course

Hole in one or under par? Hole in one

Stocks or savings? Stocks

Risk or safe? Risk

Long-term or quick win? Long-term

Profit or growth? Both

Spreadsheet or gut feeling? Gut feeling

What is harder: understanding company finance or fixing your golf swing? Golf swing

Thank you, Ian, for being such a wonderful guest for the series.