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• All Board Members
  • Lindsay Burley
  • Lynne Cadenhead
  • Ian Jackson
  • Ali Jarvis
  • Grenville Johnston
  • Neena Mahal
  • Anne McNeill
  • John Mulgrew
  • Elaine Noad
  • Liz Robertson
  • Andrew Thin

Who are you?  

My background is fairly varied, starting off in life sciences research and then international sales and marketing,  followed by investment  and senior level management roles (CEO, Director, Non Executive Director) in a range of start-up and early stage companies. I currently focus most of my time on my own company 1745 Trading Company that has developed a range of innovative heritage-based QUEST games about the UK, whilst also working on a project-by-project basis with other small companies. I am also on the Development Advisory Board of Edinburgh Napier University. A varied background can often bring fresh insights to challenges faced by companies and organisations!

Why did you want to become a board member?

When I joined SIDAB I was working in early stage investment and venture capital for young Scottish technology companies. In order to be able to assist these companies more in developing their full potential I was keen to learn more about funding options available to them  and the assessment process involved applying for various grant funding. Joining SIDAB was incredibly useful in terms of improving my own understanding of the funding process and subsequently helping a variety of young companies… and in the process positively contributing to the economic development of Scotland and its mass of wonderful entrepreneurial business opportunities! I also wanted to learn more about other sectors and later-stage companies and meet new people that I could learn from.

What do you bring to the role?

When I joined SIDAB I was relatively young and felt somewhat inexperienced business-wise compared to the many industrial male icons on the Board!! However, I soon realised that I was there specifically to bring a different perspective i.e. my technology background and experience of working with young companies.

What do you get out of it?

You get as much out of it as you put in! I have learn much more than I expected and met so many interesting people from varied backgrounds. It genuinely is a great feeling when you can look back and know that you have made a positive contribution to a company, its employees and the Scottish economy, even if in a minor way. However, I am a very strong believer that if a person takes on such a board role she has to be absolutely committed to it  - read the papers, attend board meetings, submit comments if unable to attend, etc. – if you do that, you will make a difference and that’s what counts.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking of applying?

As the Nike advert says…Just do it! The application process may be a bit daunting and time-consuming initially but it’s a very good personal process to go through  - it actually helps you to see where your skills lie and where you can apply them for the best impact, both personally and professionally.  Anyway, anything that’s worth it shouldn’t really be easy! It’s important to remember that different people bring different skills, experiences and perspectives, and such diversity is essential to build strong boards that challenge any status quo in Scotland.