Our Members

Sarah McDonald - Applied Theatre 

Sarah jointly runs a communication skills consultancy, Applied Theatre, with her business partner, Fiona MacPherson. They offer creative, fun and practical communications and interpersonal skills training.

Sarah started her teaching career 30 years ago teaching English in the northeast of China – a wonderful, formative experience - after which she came home to Scotland and went on to set up and run Drama departments in both the Scottish Highlands and the central belt. Combining teaching expertise and performance techniques with a shared passion for supporting people to reach their communication potential she and Fiona, also a teacher, founded Applied Theatre in 2018.

Applied Theatre workshops cover areas such as -

  • Developing a strong physical and vocal presence
  • Presentation and storytelling skills
  • Dealing with nerves and tension
  • Developing creative and flexible thinking skills
  • Building strong teams
  • Crucial conversations
  • Forum theatre techniques to explore issues and find solutions in a safe and supportive environment

Contact details:

Caroline Gunn – Managing Director www.propertyresponse24.co.uk

With a background in marketing and external relations, Caroline knows the importance of brand representation and first impressions. As a shareholder and Managing Director of Property Response 24, Caroline has grown the business to become a UK wide out of hours service and maintenance provider working alongside housebuilders, property management companies, commercial clients, care homes and charities.

Caroline has built an energetic and outgoing team and believes that a Director not only nurtures and shapes the future growth and culture of an organisation but has the power to make a business – and the people working there – much happier.

 

Linkedin:            www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-gunn-48108b105

Tel:                     07514 222 247

Email:                 cg@propertyresponse24.co.uk

Web:                  www.propertyresponse24.co.uk

Chen Li is one of the foremost experts in Tourism between China and the United Kingdom.

After actively promoting Scotland as a premier destination for Chinese visitors, Chen established Magna World in 2015, drawing clients from across most major 1st Tier cities in China. Magna World has now become the leading DMC in the UK for high-end Chinese visitors.

From 2018 – 2020 Chen has worked with UK travel suppliers to help them become “China Ready”. By promoting cultural awareness and guiding suppliers in creating long term relationships with Chinese Tour Operators, Chen is at the forefront of helping UK suppliers enjoy the huge opportunities of China’s burgeoning tourist market.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Chen developed her dream and vision for a B2B platform connecting Chinese buyers to UK suppliers, and Connect2Tour has now become that reality.  

Chen also is Castle owner of Auchenbowie House and Broomhall Castle.

Contact LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/c2t/

Call: 07765466746

 

Michelle Beaumont - Beaumont Recruitment

Michelle was Winner of the “Women in Law”  Power of Inspiration Awards 2023,  also Named one of the “Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs in Scotland” is a highly experienced recruitment professional who has been involved within the Scottish recruitment profession for over the past 25 years. Michelle’s depth of recruitment knowledge and specific areas of expertise lie within the Legal, HR, Finance and Residential Property recruitment sectors.

LinkedIn 

Tel:   0131 272 2772 

Email: michelle@beaumontlegalrecruitment.co.uk 

Website:  www.beaumontassociates.co.uk

 

love scottish
Lesley Landels Founder of - Love Scottish 
Love Scottish
Lesley describes herself as "A self driven, hard working, perfectionist that enjoys all of life's challenges!" Lesley started the business from a caravan during a self build project in the middle of winter! Lesley creates wonderful candles and giftware from her studio & cafe in The Scottish Borders, she also runs three very successful Coffee & Gifts shops in Hawick, Kelso & Melrose. Lesley is a huge advocate for Women In Business and an ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland and is ever positive about growing the brand and bringing more beautifully made Scottish products to market
Alison Kilgour
Alison Kilgour - Director of Operations
Perspective 

Alison is a highly accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in the construction and property industry. She began as a Quantity Surveyor at John Laing Construction and quickly established herself as a formidable force in the field. As Scotland's first female construction ambassador in 2004, Alison worked to encourage more women to enter the industry. Alison has contributed significantly to prestigious projects, including the construction of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Ocean Terminal, BBC Scotland. Notably, she was Commercial Manager on the design and construction of the £33 million Hexham General Hospital project at just 25 years old.

 Transitioning her commercial skills to undertake more strategic roles, Alison joined Perspective in 2023. In her role, she manages operational functions, drives business development initiatives, and ensures sustainable growth.

Alison also ran a successful clothing boutique in Bridge of Allan 

Capture - and won The Drapers Award for independent retailers in 2018.

Beyond work, Alison enjoys golf and is an accomplished Wakesurfer. She holds the title of Nautique European Ladies Wakesurf Champion (Masters) for 2023.

 Her expertise, dedication, and diverse interests make her an inspiring role model for others seeking a balanced and successful professional life.

 

stacey mcnabney

Stacey Mcnabney

Stacey is known as The Social Coach

Having grown organically her own community to 47k on social media using simple and effective strategies which Stacey uses to help business owners grow their socials. Stacey has worked  with multiple industries and absolutely has a passion for what she does. 

Stacey offers other services such as certified social media courses for aspiring Social media managers, content shoots & social media masterclasses.

Using a background of sales and marketing, combining it with the power of human connection Stacey excels in her digital field. 

Rebecca Holmes
Rebecca Holmes 

Rebecca Holmes Photography

 Rebecca is an award-winning photographer, a photography trainer and a business mentor with over twenty years of experience. She specialises in brand, commercial and family photography.

 Rebecca has a knack for capturing the heart of a family or an organisation – shining a light on their values and what makes them beautiful and unique. Her superpower is helping others to feel great in front of the camera. She has a passion for helping women, in particular, to feel confident being seen in photographs.

Carole Murdoch

Carol Murdoch

Love Outdoor Learning

Carol Murdoch is the founder and director of Love Outdoor Learning.  She is an accomplished Primary Teacher and education enthusiast with over two decades of dedicated service in the field of education. With a passion for outdoor learning, Carol has not only established a remarkable career but has also been recognized with prestigious awards for her outstanding contributions.

As an accomplished author and a graduate with a Masters in Learning for Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh, Carol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of education. Her dedication to fostering sustainability and holistic learning is evident in her contributions to the classroom and their written work.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveoutdoorlearning/

 

Wendy Maltman
Wendy Maltman
The Malting House

Wendy  is the Founder and Creative Director of The Malting House, a vibrant design, marketing and communications agency based in Dundee’s trendy West Port.Over twenty years the studio has built a reputation for thoughtful and outstanding creative work delivered with exceptional customer service. Listening carefully to understand the concerns and challenges of our clients, we build strong relationships based on respect, integrity and trust.We look at things differently, explore opportunities and use creative thinking to generate inspired solutions to refine brand style, communicate key messages, increase visibility and engage audiences.We aim to make a difference by using our skills and creativity to bring about positive change and to impact our communities to create a thriving local economy.Wendy’s commitment to the local community is demonstrated in several voluntary roles which include active participation in Rotary, the Nine Trades of Dundee, and as Vice Chair of Dundee Museum of Transport.

 

Pam Wilson Builder

Pam Wilson 

Kevin Wilson Master Builders

Pam Wilson has over 16 years’ experience in construction as Founder and Director of multi award winning KWMB and, most recently, Pam Wilson Project Management. Being a female in construction can be daunting but Pam has grown in confidence and reputation and was elected as Vice President of The Federation of Master Builders in September 2022, a role she is very proud of.    She works closely with other trades, architects, suppliers and clients to project manage their works and bring the clients’ visions to life. A particular highlight of recent years is project managing a full retro-fit renovation for an international client over Teams and only recently meeting in real life for the soon to be handover. Pam loves what she does and thinks it shows.

Contact Details:

KWMB, Office Unit 6, 5 Munro Road. Springkerse. Stirling FK7 7UU

  1. 01786 497 288 / 07809 879 055

 

estrilita van rensburg

Estrelita van Rensburg,

Wellness EQ

Estrelita is a qualified physician-pathologist spent the first part of her professional career as a professor in laboratory medicine/virology at the Universities of Stellenbosch and Pretoria in South Africa. After a decade and a half, she moved into the pharmaceutical industry where she held the position of Global Medical Director at an US-based large clinical research organisation. More recently her focus shifted away from treatment-based medicine into the field of nutrition and preventative medicine. She co-authored three books. The first Eat Well or Die Slowly - Your Guide to Metabolic Health was published in 2020. 

  • Bespoke Leadership Training
  • Business Coaching
  • Facilitation skills
    Nadin Thomson

    Fiona Chambers

    SV24-7 Vending

    Fiona set up a Vending machine business in 2012 with her husband Ian. The multi-award winning company is based in Alloa and now has a team of 13 full time staff. Fiona has a passion for sales and marketing and is driven to achieve success on every level. Away from the business we enjoy spending time with our little dog “Coco”.

    Contact Details

    Nadin Thomson

    Amanda Stewart

    Illuminate Technology

    Amanda Stewart has over 30 years experience working with SME’s to maximise their technology potential in a clear jargon free manner. Illuminate has grown organically over the last 12 years and has a fiercely loyal customer base and a friendly team of engineers.

    Amanda is passionate in educating on the dangers of Cyber Threats and how to avoid them. She also runs hands on workshops for school children to excite the next generation of engineers and seeks to encourage more women into the technology sector.

    Contact Details

    Susanne Harrison

    FoIL, MAPM, MANLP, MAC, ABM

    ABM – Chair Scotland

    Young Enterprise Forth Valley Board- Chair

    Advisory and business coaching

    Previously a project manager in a large organisation, I retrained as a coach in 2011 and joined Martin Robertson Associates ltd full-time in 2016 to develop advisory and business coaching services for the Accountancy practice.

    The practice, est in 1996, focuses on taking the strain out of compliance and supporting business owners to have more time, make more money and build a better quality of life.

    Contact Details

    Issy Warrack

    Issy Warrack

    WellnessEQ Programme

    Having suffered a health challenge and, as a result, becoming acutely aware that a lifestyle change was required, I sought answers regarding the types of food that we should eat. Advice was conflicting and, on discussing this with my partner, who is a medical doctor whose background encompasses 22 years of research, learned that modern diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart health, dementia and mental health are all increasing dramatically.

    As a result of that conversation, she then researched the correct nutritious foods that we should eat to provide the foundation for a healthy lifestyle and the result is our WellnessEQ Programme which we started to use. The results were great: lost weight, reduced blood pressure, lower blood sugar, clarity of thought, enhanced mood, more energy and much more.

    I was hooked and we started to talk to others who joined our WellnessEQ Programme, all of whom have experienced their own goals. One comment that they all make is ‘I love the choice of food that we can eat, how it makes me feel and the fact that this is a sustainable programme – in fact a total way of life’.

    Contact Details

      Simone Hart Sibbald

      Simone Hart Sibbald

      Perfect Service Solutions

      Ventilation Hygiene Specialists

      Contact Details

      joyce young

      Mairead Smith-Hume

      Mairead Hume – Harris Tweed Golf Collection

      Mairead Hume, born and raised in Scotland, harbours a deep passion for the game of golf and the outstandingly beautiful Island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, and saw a natural synergy between the hand woven, highly durable, colourful Harris Tweed® and the traditional Scottish game of golf. And so, the Harris Tweed® Golf Collection was created.

      MAIREAD HUME Harris Tweed® Golf Collection can be found at some of the most famous golf courses in the world including the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland.

      please contact Mairead with any special requests for specific colours that may not be shown on the website.

      Contact Details

      Ann-Maree Morrison MBE

      Ann Attridge

      Klik2Learn

      language specialists, we focus on technology that can transform language learning.

      Ann Attridge Founding Director Klik2learn, is a Chartered Teacher with degrees in English, French, and Educational Management. She has over 20 years in education including the secondary, further and tertiary sectors. Nine years in ESOL teaching led to an M.Litt research degree in Applied Linguistics. In 2010 Ann was awarded a Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship to set up Klik2learn.

      Contact Details

      swimsara swimwear

      Paula Masterson

      Swimsara Swimwear

      An independent swimwear brand, we design and create swimwear that uses revolutionary tan-through fabric. Our innovative fabric is UVA protective, quick drying and breathable. Due to the way the fabric has been woven it allows a pre-determined amount of UVB rays to penetrate, enough to allow the skin to tan without burning. There is no need to wear sunscreen underneath the garment, meaning less harmful oils and suncream in our oceans.

      Our designs are made by women for women and come in an array of bright colours and patterns in flattering styles. We produce small runs locally in Scotland as well as hand-make to order to minimise waste and to support sustainable fashion.

      Contact Details

      joyce young

      Thea de joode

      The Astute VA

      Thea is the founder and owner of The Astute VA and provides expert online business management services as a virtual assistant. with an academic background grounded in social sciences and research, Thea has built up nearly 2 decades of experience working in leadership and management within the arts, education and voluntary sectors.

      This includes spending 17 years at Scotland’s only National Conservatoire. Her experience spans fundraising, bid writing, governance, mentoring, budget and grant management, bookkeeping, events, and traditional PA support.

      Contact Details

        Annmaree Morrison 

        Ann –Maree Morrison MBE

        Ann-Maree is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants In Australia and New Zealand, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce. She was founder and MD of award winning ecommerce business Labels4Kids for 19 years and sold in September 2022. She is a NXD, Advisor, Angel Investor and Mentor, specialising in ecommerce.

        Ann-Maree is also Co-Chair for W20 UK, the UK gender advisory group to the G20, for the economic empowerment of women and has been a delegate to W20 for over 7 years.

        She is Past Chair of BAWE Scotland and a WES Ambassador.

        She founded The Ecommerce Club 12 years ago and encourages anyone interested in ecommerce to join and attend free monthly online: https://www.indez.com/blog/ecommerce-club

        Ann-Maree was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours List 2022 for her services to both Women In Business and to The Economy as a result of her work in ecommerce, with women and in supporting the next generation.

        Contact Details

         wendy hamilton - development

        Development Officer - Dr Wendy Hamilton

        Owner/founder of Curious Minds & award winning Grasshopper Toy Shop,

        Based in Helensburgh
        With over twenty years experience in founding, managing & profitably exiting small businesses in a range of areas including events, retail & wholesale, Wendy is passionate about the world of small business. Also an Area Leader for FSB West Of Scotland & sit on the committee for BAWE Scotland.
        Before a career in small business, Wendy trained as a research scientist and holds a degree & PhD from the University of Nottingham.

        Karen Somerville

        Karen Somerville

        Angels' Share Glass & Fife Whisky Festival

        Glassware specialists and manufacturers based in Central Scotland. Angels' Share Glass are market leaders in whisky gifting and accessories. Selling globally The family ran business prides itself on high quality designs and customer service. Karen also runs two very successful Whisky Festivals Fife Whisky Festival and The Borderlands Whisky Festival - she also a co-director of inbound travel firm Scotch Grand Tour

        LinkedIn - Karen Somerville