11th May 2026
On Thursday 7th May 2026, the historic surroundings of Edinburgh Castle set the stage for a truly special evening as John Clark Motor Group hosted an exclusive charity dinner in support of Race Against Dementia.
Held within the iconic Great Hall, originally completed in 1511 for King James IV and rarely used for private dining, the event brought together influential figures from sport, business, entertainment and medicine. All united behind one shared goal, helping accelerate the fight against dementia, a condition affecting more than 55 million people worldwide.
In a generous gesture of support, Major General Bob Bruce, Governor of Edinburgh Castle, gifted use of the Great Hall for the evening, giving guests the rare opportunity to experience one of Scotland’s most historic venues in an extraordinary way.
Guests were also treated to exclusive afterhours access to view the Honours of Scotland, the nation’s Crown Jewels before enjoying a private performance from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, creating a fittingly memorable end to the evening.
Hosted by broadcaster Caroline Blair, the evening featured a remarkable line-up of speakers and guests who shared personal stories of resilience, determination and high performance.
Sir Jackie Stewart and John Clark OBE led the evening’s conversations, joined on stage by cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, acclaimed author Sir Ian Rankin, Formula One star Allan McNish and world record cyclist Mark Beaumont. British & Irish Lions rugby internationals Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman also reflected on the mindset required to perform at the highest level.
The event also welcomed insights from Craig McGinlay, David O’Hara, Fred MacAulay, Chef Dean Banks and Colin Maclachlan, each bringing their own unique perspective from the worlds of entertainment, hospitality and leadership.
A key focus throughout the evening was the importance of innovation and urgency in medical research. Professor Siddharthan Chandran, a leading figure in regenerative neurology, spoke about the pioneering work taking place through the UK Dementia Research Institute and the role that collaboration and high-performance thinking can play in accelerating progress.
Founded by three-time Formula One World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, Race Against Dementia applies the fast-paced innovation, teamwork and precision associated with Formula One to dementia research, helping drive forward new ideas and breakthroughs faster.
Sir Jackie delivered a heartfelt keynote speech, reflecting on both his racing career and his personal mission to find better treatments, and ultimately a cure for dementia.
John Clark OBE, Chairman of John Clark Motor Group and Trustee of Race Against Dementia, said: “Bringing together such an incredible group of people in one of Scotland’s most iconic venues made for a truly unforgettable evening.
“We are incredibly proud to support the important work being led by Sir Jackie Stewart and the Race Against Dementia team. The high-performance approach they are championing is helping drive research forward at pace, and every conversation, contribution and connection made on the night helps bring hope closer for so many families affected by dementia.”
