Meet the Team - Firstport

Anna Lynch – Business Advisor (Associate)

Anna works as an Associate for Firstport, supporting entrepreneurs in her local area of Inverness.

Annie Tunnicliffe – Investment Manager

Annie assesses applications for repayable finance including for The Catalyst Fund.

Brian McMillan – Business Advisor

Brian provides start-up support and advice to social entrepreneurs through Just Enterprise, our business support programme.

Carmen Paputa-Dutu – Social Innovation Challenge Programme Manager

Carmen carries out user research and outreach to ensure the challenge addresses real needs.

Charles Morgan – Business Advisor

Charles provides start-up support and advice to social entrepreneurs through Just Enterprise, our business support programme.

Craig Allan – Digital Communication and CRM Lead

Craig oversees the social media strategy and digital communications activities.

Daisy Ford-Downes – Head of Group Investment Programmes

Daisy leads the Investment Team at Firstport Group, overseeing repayable funding from Step Up and the Catalyst Fund as well as investment readiness programmes.

David Brewis – Boost Fund Relationship Manager

David supports applicants and awardees of the Boost Fund.

Duncan MacPherson – Business Advisor (Associate)

Duncan works as an Associate for Firstport, supporting entrepreneurs in the Western Isles.

Elaine Ogg – Executive Administrator

Elaine works across the organisation overseeing the administration of each programme.

Emily Macdonald – Investment Readiness Programme Manager

Emily oversees the LaunchMe investment readiness programme for the Firstport Group, joining in February 2024.

Gael Drummond – Group CEO

Gael is responsible for governance and strategy work across Firstport, FirstImpact, and Impact Investment Partnership Scotland.

Jacky Tjivikua – Relationship Manager

Jacky supports applicants and awardees of the Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

Jeremy Miles – Deputy CEO

Jeremy works across all operations at Firstport, where he supports the team, programme delivery and wider Firstport community.

Julie Smith – Relationship Manager

Julie supports applicants and awardees of the Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

Karen Fitzsimmons – Relationship Manager

Karen supports applicants and awardees of the Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

Kerrie Grant – Business Advisor (Associate)

Kerrie works as an Associate for Firstport, supporting entrepreneurs in Argyll and Bute.

Kirstie Penman – Head of Programmes

Kirstie is responsible for overseeing the delivery of Firstport’s awards programmes.

Lauren Scott – Investment Manager

Lauren assesses applications for repayable finance including for The Catalyst Fund.

Maria Ashley – Head of Communications and Digital

Maria oversees all marketing, digital and communications activities within Firstport.

Megan Veronesi – Head of Business Development and Innovation

Megan is responsible for growth, innovation and the design, development and management of new programmes across the Firstport Group.

Ray Banks – Social Entrepreneurs Fund Programme Manager

Ray works closely with the relationship management team to support both prospective applicants and successful awardees across Scotland.

Renae Bell – Social Investment Relationship Manager

Renae supports social enterprises to become investment-ready through the LaunchMe programme.

Sinéad Reynolds – LaunchMe Programme Officer

Sinéad supports the delivery of LaunchMe, our investment readiness programme.

Zeme Waldheim-Ross – Engagement and Outreach Officer

Zeme works across the Communications and Enquiries teams ensuring Firstport is reaching as many people as possible.