Graeme Blackett is Managing Director of BiGGAR Economics, a purpose-led company that exists to deliver meaningful impact. He is an applied economist, with more than 30 year’s experience of providing economic analysis and advice to government, companies and social economy sectors, in Scotland and across Europe. His areas of expertise include the energy sector, innovation systems and economic strategy.

Anthony is co-founder and joint managing partner of 56º North one of the UK’s leading independent strategic communications advisory firms.

One of the UK’s most experienced corporate affairs and public policy advisers. For over 20 years, Anthony has provided strategic counsel to Boards and senior executives, including at some of the UK’s most recognised companies.

Before working in financial services, Anthony was a senior campaigner for British business during a decade-long career at the CBI. As the CBI’s Brussels Director he led the CBI’s lobbying across Europe.

Since taking the helm in 2019 Sara has widened and deepened the Council’s cross-sector membership ensuring that it continues to be a trusted voice for government and business. She represents members interests on the Scottish Business Growth Group and Scottish Government’s New Deal for Business Group. Sara is a former Director for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in Scotland and member of the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland. She chaired the Green Heat Finance Taskforce and her non-exec roles include Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (now BE-ST).

Sara’s career in economic development includes the Glasgow Edinburgh Collaboration Initiative and leading EU programmes designed to stimulate Scottish innovation. Her early career involved the setting up of the Eurodesk youth information service subsequently replicated throughout the EU. Sara holds a BA (Hons) in modern languages from the University of Stirling.

sara.thiam@prosper.scot

Anna Fowlie has been CEO of The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) since 2018.

She was previously CEO of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). Before joining the SSSC, which registers people who work in social services and regulates their education and training, Fowlie worked for the Scottish government, leading a team that focused on improving outcomes for looked-after children.

Gwilym Gibbons is a social impact entrepreneur and senior leader with a strong track record in culture, heritage, and education leadership within rural and social enterprise settings with a passion for whole system and circular economy development focused on enabling places to be creative and healthy for people and the planet.

Joining the Royal Bank as a graduate trainee, Kevin has spent his whole career working directly with corporate businesses.

Kevin holds a Political Science degree from University of Aberdeen and an MBA from The Edinburgh Business School. Kevin is a Chartered Banker and Fellow of Chartered Banker Institute.

Kevin was a Non-executive Director of Essential Edinburgh, the city centre Edinburgh BID and was Treasurer of Families Outside, a charity supporting families impacted by imprisonment. He is currently a Governing Council member of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Edinburgh Napier University Business School Advisory Group, Vice Chair of Edinburgh’s Just Economic Transition Group and a board member of Prosper.

Bob Sanguinetti joined Port of Aberdeen as Chief Executive in 2021, bringing an extensive background in the maritime industry. Prior to joining the port, Bob led the UK Chamber of Shipping, where he influenced Government, Parliament and global organisations to champion and protect the UK’s shipping industry. Bob was Chief Executive of the Port of Gibraltar between 2014 – 2018 and has more than 20 years’ experience in the Royal Navy, in sea and land-based roles.

Nicole Shamier is a Director of Economics (Scotland) for Mott MacDonald, an engineering, environmental and advisory services consultancy. Nicole was previously Chief Economist at the St Helena Government and a senior economist within the Cabinet Office. Nicole also acts as the Chair of the Board of Connect, St Helena’s utilities company, and has a background in environmental and net zero economics. Nicole has a BA in Economics and Economic and Social History from the University of Manchester and a MSc Economics from London Metropolitan University.

​

Opportunity North East is the private sector catalyst driving transformational change to diversify north east Scotland’s economy. ONE leadership, resources and delivery at pace drive business growth and increase productivity, create jobs for the future and accelerate the just transition to net-zero.

Anthony is co-founder and joint managing partner of 56º North one of the UK’s leading independent strategic communications advisory firms.

One of the UK’s most experienced corporate affairs and public policy advisers. For over 20 years, Anthony has provided strategic counsel to Boards and senior executives, including at some of the UK’s most recognised companies.

Before working in financial services, Anthony was a senior campaigner for British business during a decade-long career at the CBI. As the CBI’s Brussels Director he led the CBI’s lobbying across Europe.

Lisa Thomson is the Director of Elevate Advisory, working with entrepreneurs to support business growth. Lisa previously founded Purpose HR, a niche HR consultancy focused on the technology and life sciences sectors which she sold to the AAB Group in 2021 and exited in 2023 following an earnout period.

She is an experienced executive coach and NLP practitioner and an alumni of the Saltire Fellowship programme.

Lisa is a proud Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland championing women in business and a Board member of Entrepreneurial Scotland.

Andrew is the Finance Director & Company Secretary (FD) of the UK’s flagship Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, a mission led organisation with the goal of driving technical innovation in offshore energy, enhancing skills and career opportunities in the UK. Andrew is perhaps unusually for a FD, people orientated, with a particular interest in unlocking individual and team performance through collaborative ways of working. Andrew is a former Trustee (and Audit Chair) of the Robertson Trust, Scotland’s largest independent giving charity. When not at work he is keen to be outside, with a life long interest in activities that raise the heart beat and contribute to positive mental health.

Ian Walker has over 30 years’ experience in the global MedTech and life sciences industries, most recently as Global Lead Partnerships and External Affairs for Global Surgery in Johnson & Johnson Global Health Equity, and Chair of the Board of Directors of Johnson & Johnson Medical UK. He has significantly expertise in exporting to markets in the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa and led a team to the Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2014. He is the Chair of Prosper’s International Business Committee, a forum made up of organisations and companies with international trade expertise who are dedicated to strengthening the exporting capacity of Scottish businesses.