George Stevenson

Laurence Barrett

Laurence is an experienced board level director with over 25 years experience in leading teams through change and holds an accreditation in Systems Thinking (the Toyota Production System for Lean Service). He has extensive experience in Operations, Contact/Call Centres, IT Systems and Technology, Telecommunications, Logistics, Field Service, Technical Support, Credit Control, and Administrative functions.

Laurence spent 13 years at a senior level at VELUX, the world’s largest roof window company where he introduced Systems Thinking which delivered an outstanding customer experience as well as substantial reductions in operating costs and he has considerable international experience of advising and guiding lean intervention teams in France, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Holland and the Czech Republic. In addition, Laurence has 14 years of experience of working as a director and company secretary of a computer services company supplying consultancy, managed services, training products and staff on a contract, project or permanent basis.

Diane Paterson

Douglas Duff

Douglas is a graduate of town planning from Glasgow School of Art, and post-graduate in urban policy (University of Glasgow). He has 30 years of experience in planning and regeneration related activity in Central Scotland, working as a town planner in Cumbernauld, East Kilbride and Motherwell District. He joined South Lanarkshire Council in 1996, initially in corporate strategy and subsequently as Regeneration Manager, responsible for the Council’s community regeneration and employment programmes. His work in economic development at Falkirk Council involves delivery of a range of business and regeneration related projects to help deliver the My Futures in Falkirk strategy. Douglas is married with two sons and lives in Cumbernauld.

Craig Morrison

From humble beginnings at home, Craig has grown his book production business to be a leading force in publishing. More than 15 years after its launch, Palimpsest now employs nearly 30 people and typesets everything from Harry Potter books to Stephen King thrillers. The company works with production houses and publishers around the world.

Winners of the Scottish Enterprise Best E-business Award in 2001.

Top tip: “Have a vision. Set out a plan and stick to it. Believe in yourself.”

www.palimpsest-bp.co.uk

Joe Lemetti

Margaret Lang

Mike Willis

Laurence Barrett

Laurence is an experienced board level director with over 25 years experience in leading teams through change and holds an accreditation in Systems Thinking (the Toyota Production System for Lean Service). He has extensive experience in Operations, Contact/Call Centres, IT Systems and Technology, Telecommunications, Logistics, Field Service, Technical Support, Credit Control, and Administrative functions.

Laurence spent 13 years at a senior level at VELUX, the world’s largest roof window company where he introduced Systems Thinking which delivered an outstanding customer experience as well as substantial reductions in operating costs and he has considerable international experience of advising and guiding lean intervention teams in France, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Holland and the Czech Republic. In addition, Laurence has 14 years of experience of working as a director and company secretary of a computer services company supplying consultancy, managed services, training products and staff on a contract, project or permanent basis.

Isabella Jarvie

Isabella has been with Falkirk for Business since 1991 and has responsibility for managing and developing office/admin staff, admin processes and procedures including management and development of our databases, producing reports and statistics. Isabella also handles our accounts production, payroll administration and personnel files while overseeing all other admin procedures including training courses and room bookings in the absence of the Training and Conference Centre Manager.

Mandy Campbell

Mandy has been at Falkirk for Business since 1998 and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Training and Conference Centre. She handles all bookings for our training and meeting rooms, and deals with the many enquiries for our training courses and seminars.

Michelle McKearnon

Michelle joined Falkirk for Business in 2009, and has responsibility for business liaison and the facilitation of the Business Panel.

A graduate of Liverpool University, Michelle formerly set up her own business specialising in language tuition and translating, before moving into the 3rd Sector as a Business Manager for a social enterprise wishing to set up a Trading Arm. In its first year the company won Best Social Business in Scotland award and in 2007 won Best Community Initiative. Michelle also has experience in funding and financial support, having been the Grants Programme Manager for The Coalfields Regeneration Trust. She is an excellent communicator who has worked in the public, private and 3rd sectors, thus bringing a wide breadth of experience to her role at Falkirk for Business.

Caroline Reid

Natalie McSkeane

Leah McKinnon

David Brown

Before joining Falkirk for Business in May 2002, David was a Quality Consultant and Auditor with his own business with special emphasis on BSEN ISO 9000 and its application within small and medium sized businesses and the motor trade.

David also specialised in quality issues within the training and education field, in particular Scottish Quality Management Systems (SQMS), and the implementation and auditing of system standards.

Prior to becoming a quality consultant and auditor David was General Manager/Dealer Principal of several major motor trade dealerships and had his own dealership for nine years.

Within Falkirk for Business David is Lead Business Advisor and heads a team of highly experienced advisors. David specialises in sales, customer care and negotiation skills, and delivers regular training courses on these topics. He also identifies potential growth businesses with a view to promoting further development

Cameron Ferguson

Cameron joined Falkirk for Business in 1999, bringing with him a wide-ranging business experience across many sectors. He was the Managing Director of a textile group for 10 years and associate director of a multi-national PLC for 18 years. He is a specialist in cash flow, credit control and treasury advice.

At Falkirk for Business Cameron helps start up and pre-start up businesses with the development of their business plans. He identifies the clients’ needs and implements a support programme to ensure that those needs are met.

Cameron is also a qualified trainer who runs courses on book-keeping, credit control and resource planning, and management. He is involved in providing an ongoing support programme once clients have started their business, and his good communication skills help him to get the best for, and from his clients.

John Judge

John has been a Business Adviser with the Company since 1998, having graduated a year earlier from Stirling University with a first class honours degree in Marketing. He gained entry to the University degree programme after successfully completing an HND in Communication at Falkirk College in 1994 and winning the SCOTVEC ‘Student of the Year’ award.

Over the last twelve years he has been involved in all aspects of business counselling, from advising start-up clients to identifying and supporting growth and high growth businesses and delivering a range of training courses to new and existing businesses. Over the years, he has been involved in various initiatives such as Young Enterprise Scotland, SOMA Skool Events, PACE Events and joint venture programmes with Forth Valley College.

Throughout his service with the company John has gained further professional qualifications including the mandatory Premier Adviser Diploma in Business Counselling, SVQ level 4 in Business Counselling, SQA D32, D33, D34 accreditation and CIEH Professional Trainers Certificate. John has wide ranging management and supervisory experience with large multi-national companies and SMEs as well as running his own business and as a director of a community based business for over two years. His specialist area is Marketing and he delivers the ‘Marketing and Market Research’ workshop on the Business Gateway Start-up course. Currently, he is responsible for coordinating applications to the BP Loan Fund and providing an aftercare service to BP Loan awardees.

Dorothy Henke

Dorothy has had her own Information Management Consultancy for 20 years. Prior to this she rose to the top of her division in the Burroughs Corporation and was Management Systems Manager at the Livingston plant. A graduate of Stirling University with a BA in Mathematics and Psychology, Dorothy brings a strong IT knowledge to her role at Falkirk for Business. Her consultancy firm started working with the organisation in 2005 providing specialist growth pipeline advice. She also facilitates the very vibrant Forth Valley Women into Business group.

Colin Youngson

BA Hons, Novell Internet Business Strategist As an IT Consultant Colin has worked with many organisations on the delivery of one to one e-business advice and training, including Scottish Enterprise, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Parallel 56 and Business Gateway.

Project Management for the delivery of many online internet projects including an online database for South Lanarkshire Council Youth Learning, the online software for Scottish Enterprise – the biennial Scottish Technology Showcase Event 2008 and 2010 (May) and the online strategy for OHSAS (NHS).

Douglas Cameron

Director with Eden Consultancy Group Ltd since 2004, Douglas Cameron is a project manager with 25 years experience in the co-ordination, procurement and delivery of major development projects, involving both organisational change and communications, and in managing complex high-profile multiple projects. Douglas is Chartered Surveyor by profession, and is a graduate of Napier University, BSc with distinction (Quantity Surveying) and Heriot Watt University, MSc with distinction (Project Management).

Barbara Davidson

Barbara Davidson started the Pottery in 1969 in Larbert , along with her then fiancée – Brian.A graduate of Glasgow School of Art – it had always been her ambition to design and manufacture ceramic products – and this she has successfully done for over 40 years.

The manufacturing side of the business grew until 1988 – employing 30+ staff and supplying some major UK wide Retailers, but sadly the depth of the last recession and unexpected government changes to The Scottish Development Agency meant that it did could not survive on that scale.

Currently the production centers on printing and firing onto bone china mugs and glass, printing for coasters and in-house packaging, and designing complementary products which are out-sourced from other manufacturers.

Email – bdpottery@aol.com

Craig Morrison

From humble beginnings at home, Craig has grown his book production business to be a leading force in publishing. More than 15 years after its launch, Palimpsest now employs nearly 30 people and typesets everything from Harry Potter books to Stephen King thrillers. The company works with production houses and publishers around the world.

Winners of the Scottish Enterprise Best E-business Award in 2001.

Top tip: “Have a vision. Set out a plan and stick to it. Believe in yourself.”

www.palimpsest-bp.co.uk

Helen Stewart

Helen Stewart is the Employee Relations Manager for INEOS at Grangemouth where her responsibilities include the implementation of the industrial and employee relations strategy for the site. Helen graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1987 and has worked at Grangemouth for 22 years with BP and subsequently with INEOS. Helen has worked predominantly in manufacturing and plant management but has held posts in Project Management, Logistics and Supply Chain, Marketing and Health and Safety. Helen also completed a Masters in Business Administration from Edinburgh University in 1993. Helen's main interests out of work are cycling and keeping fit.

Ineos Manufacturing
PO Box 21
Grangemouth
FK3 9XH

Helen.stewart@ineos.com

Jack Marshall

60 years business experience in analytical and product development, technical and sales.

Business Start-Ups
Art supplies, Picture Restoration & Gallery Marcoprint – Lithographic & Letterpress Business Production Graphics – Printing Inks Distribution Beecraigs Restaurant – Catering Concession (W.L. Council) Tapside – Coffee Machines & Supplies, Water Coolers, Ice Cream Machines

As far as I know there is no aspect in running a business where I have not been directly involved at every level. My strength is in innovating and pursuing new technology my weakness is in being too easily diverted and pursuing new ideas.

Personal Interests
Ex Regional Councillor (Central Region), Parliamentary Candidate, Bee-Keeping, Tropical Birds, Glasgow Zoological Society

Future
I am currently pursuing a qualification in Hypnotherapy.

Doug Edwards

George Stevenson

Colin Armstrong

Colin Armstrong is Chief Executive of the Helix Trust. The Helix will create a new, high quality greenspace for Falkirk and Grangemouth and an extension to the Forth & Clyde Canal centred on the landmark Kelpies sculptures. Colin has spent 27 years in the regeneration field working for government agencies, social enterprises and a local authority.

Direct line:  01324 590719
Mobile:  07872 820 196
email: colin.armstrong@falkirk.gov.uk
www.thehelix.co.uk

Andrew Seal

Trained with Stakis Hotels on Management Training Programme Worked for a Lovat Hotels Ltd, a small family run business who operated 3 hotels in Perthshire for 10 years, General Manager for 2 of the hotels.

Joined Macdonald Hotels in 2002 and held General Manager in 3 different properties before becoming GM of Inchyra in July 2008.

Pamela Ringrose

Having graduated from the University of Stirling I began my career with MetTECH UK Limited some 24 years ago and despite the distance, I still enjoy the daily travel from my home in North Lanarkshire to Falkirk area because it is such a vibrant and pretty place to work.

Celebrating its 42nd year in business MetTECH UK Limited, based in Grangemouth provides diverse training services for the engineering industry. As a director of my organisation I find no greater pleasure than donning my ‘hard hat’ and ‘hi-viz jacket to tramp about a large muddy engineering site to visit our modern apprentices and see the new skills they are gaining and hear how well they are progressing. There are few professions as exciting or rewarding as developing young people to become engineers and as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development I find my passion for training and development grows stronger the older I become.

On a personal note, my other passions comprise studying philosophy, religion and motor bikes. For the long dark nights – of which we have too many – I am an avid jigsaw puzzle fanatic.

Naturally, being part of the Falkirk Business Panel Leadership Group gives me the opportunity of networking with local business people and together being able to contribute to issues of importance to the Falkirk economy, however the social side is ‘ain’t half bad too’. Curries, film shows at the Hippdrome, firework displays and breakfasts at Callendar House have certainly been highlights this year.

pamela.ringrose@metech.co.uk

01698 285454

Robert Willox

Owner/Principal of WebMedia Search Marketing and Website Optimisation, helping businesses with their internet marketing to build, develop and profit more from their website and online activities.

Have worked in print, design and marketing for 30+ years.

Born and bred in Edinburgh now living in Bo'ness since 1998. Married with two grown-up sons who still live in Edinburgh.

Robert’s interests include: Rugby, politics, real ale, evolution, natural selection, devolution, sociology, psychology, golf, squash, not necessarily and rarely in that order.

Stephen Sweeney

Campbells Prime Meat Ltd is Scotland’s leading supplier of Fresh Meat, Fresh Fish and Delicatessen products to the foodservice sector. Following a catastrophic fire at its Broxburn premises in May 2009, Campbells relocated to Falkirk. The Heatherfield, a £10 million purpose built meat-cutting plant will be completed in June 2010. Campbells employs 250 staff in Falkirk and a further 40 at three other sites around Scotland.

Stephen Sweeney is Finance Director of Campbells Prime Meat Ltd. A graduate of Edinburgh University, Stephen qualified as ACCA in 1990. He is currently President of the Scottish League of Credit Unions. He is also a Director of the Centre for Scottish Public Policy and has just accepted an appointment to the board of Improvement Districts Scotland Ltd.

Craig Martin

Maureen Campbell

Douglas Duff

Douglas is a graduate of town planning from Glasgow School of Art, and post-graduate in urban policy (University of Glasgow). He has 30 years of experience in planning and regeneration related activity in Central Scotland, working as a town planner in Cumbernauld, East Kilbride and Motherwell District. He joined South Lanarkshire Council in 1996, initially in corporate strategy and subsequently as Regeneration Manager, responsible for the Council’s community regeneration and employment programmes. His work in economic development at Falkirk Council involves delivery of a range of business and regeneration related projects to help deliver the My Futures in Falkirk strategy. Douglas is married with two sons and lives in Cumbernauld.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney

I am the convenor of Economic Strategy and development within Falkirk council. I started my own business 10 years ago and am very supportive of people in business.

I am keen to see the Business Panel have a higher profile.

Falkirk Council
Municipal Buildings
Falkirk
FK1 5RS

www.twitter.com/adrianmahoney
www.falkirk.gov.uk

Alistair Mitchell

Wendy Livingstone