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Staff team
Our staff are based in Edinburgh and Glasgow but we do leave and can get on the train!!
Kim Craven
Role: Office Manager
Kim joined Firstport at the end of 2007. Her career to date has been varied within the private/public/voluntary sector including 6 months with a charity, 7 years within the Finance industry and as an Editorial Assistant on the 37th Edition of Gray's Anatomy to name but a few. She enjoys being involved in local community issues and is known to join Committees as they spring up.
Maria Fernanda Ashley
Role: Information and Enquiries Officer
Maria joined the team in August 2010. She started her career as a Marketing Assistant for a social enterprise supporting young and social entrepreneurs in London, where she worked for over two years. This role allowed her to develop an awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by start up companies, especially those with social aims at the heart of their businesses. After that she had a stint in the private sector, working for a specialist insurance broker. She relocated to Edinburgh in 2009 and worked in event management for a local charity.
Elaine Ogg
Role: Administrator
Elaine joined us in March 2009 from a career in a variety of corporates including Standard Life, RBS and Marks and Spencer as well as spending a season in Rhodes as a holiday rep. Having worked across a number of work areas from events to HR she brings a wealth of experience to Firstport.
Eileen Inglis (Scotland UnLtd)
Role: Development Manager
Eileen has worked with Scotland UnLtd since it started and has supported many award winners over the past 6 years. While Eileen works for Scotland Unltd she is listed on this staff page as Scotland UnLtd and Firstport award staff will be working together on the joint funding programme.
Thomas McAlister (Scotland UnLtd)
Role: Development Manager
Thomas works with Scotland UnLtd on both the general awards scheme and on the Sports Relief Programme. While Thomas works for Scotland Unltd he is listed on this staff page as Scotland UnLtd and Firstport award staff will be working together on the joint funding programme.
Gina Headden (Scotland UnLtd)
Role: Development Manager
Gina was appointed to the role of Development Manager with Scotland UnLtd in July 2009, having previously been employed as Awards Administrator for the organisation. Prior to joining Scotland UnLtd, Gina worked in a variety of roles and sectors and brings considerable experience to her current post. A qualified librarian with an academic library background, Gina's communication, analytical, information, interpersonal and organisational skills are well-developed.
Karen McGregor
Role: Chief Executive
Karen joined Firstport in May 2009 as Fund Manager. She is responsible for the delivery and implementation of the awards programme which includes the distribution of funds from the Scottish Government’s £1m Social Entrepreneurs Fund. Having started her career in the private sector, Karen moved to the public sector where she joined the Community Fund, now Big Lottery Fund, and built up her particular expertise in grant funding policy. Seven years at the Lottery has given Karen an extensive background in developing new funding programmes and designing and implementing customer focussed pre-application support and outreach services.
Bob Giulianotti
Role: Client Support
Bob joined Firstport in May 2009 bringing a wealth of business experience to the team. Skilled in strategic development, operational, financial, sales/marketing, human resource and project management. He started work as a Mechanical Engineer in the field of medical laser research went on to work for a laboratory supply company then completed a successful management buy out of a local company. He has been involved in buying, selling and starting businesses for many years. Since 2006 Bob has been involved in community regeneration, managing The North Edinburgh Business Incubator where the team were instrumental in starting over 550 SMEs of which Bob personally assisted 159.
Kelly Manthorp (Scotland UnLtd)
Role: Award Administrator
Kelly joined Scotland Unltd in September 2009. While Kelly works for Scotland Unltd she is listed on this staff page as Scotland UnLtd and Firstport award staff will be working together on the joint funding programme. Her previous background includes: 18 months working as a Reservations and Marketing Manager for a retreat in South Africa, running a spring summer Touch Rugby League in Edinburgh and being involved in the first year opening of Jupiter Artland, a contemporary sculpture garden on the Western fringes of Edinburgh.
Brian McMillan
Role: Client Support
Brian joined Firstport in September 2010 bringing both business and community experience gained from his career to date. Since selling his own business in 1992, Brian has worked with the Federation of Small Business, moved to Fife to work with Community Businesses and returned to the West as a member of the Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership Implementation Team. In 1998 Brian moved to Belfast to launch and establish Belfast First Stop Shop Ltd, an arms-length company of Belfast City Council aimed at increasing business development pre the Good Friday agreement. In 2002 Brian returned to Scotland, and for a short time worked as a Business Adviser with Business Gateway in Dumfries before being asked to assume responsibility for the Dunbartonshire Business Gateway contract.