Meet the Team - Firstport

Brian McMillan (he/him) – Business Advisor

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

Carmen Paputa-Dutu (she/her) – User Experience and Impact Manager

Carmen works to map the experience of our clients, as well as co-ordinating and standardising monitoring and evaluation processes.

Charles Morgan (he/him) – Business Advisor

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

Christine Fairbairn (she/her) – Relationship Manager for the North of Scotland

Christine supports applicants and awardees of the Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

Craig Allan – Digital Communication and CRM Lead

Craig oversees the social media strategy and digital communications activities.

Daisy Ford-Downes (she/her) – 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 (he/him) – Boost Fund Relationship Manager

David supports applicants and awardees of the Boost Fund.

Eileen Inglis – Associate

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

Elaine Ogg (she/her) – Executive Administrator

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

Emily Macdonald (she/her) – Investment Readiness Programme Manager

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

Dr Emma Ives (she/her) – Associate

Since 2021, Emma has worked with Firstport, delivering business support through Just Enterprise, and on partnership programmes Ready to Rise and Enterprise in Place.

Gael Drummond (she/her) – Group CEO

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

Jacky Tjivikua (she/her) – Relationship Manager

Jacky supports applicants and awardees of the Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

Jeremy Miles (he/him) – Deputy CEO

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

Karen Fitzsimmons (she/her) – Relationship Manager

Karen supports applicants and awardees of the Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

Kerrien Grant (she/her) – Growth Advisor

Kerrie is a Growth Advisor for Firstport, working with Catalyst Fund Social Enterprises.

Kirstie Penman (she/her) – Head of Programmes

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

Lauren Scott (she/her) – Investment Manager

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

Maria Ashley (she/her) – Head of Communications and Digital

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

Melissa Molina (she/her) – Associate

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

Morag Kelly (she/her) – Investment Associate

Morag works closely with the Investment Team at Firstport to empower entrepreneurs to launch and scale their organisations.

Ray Banks (he/him) – 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 (she/her) – Social Investment Relationship Manager

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

Sinéad Reynolds (she/her) – Data and Impact Coordinator

Sinéad supports the collection, management, analysis and publication of impact data across the organisation

Zeme Waldheim-Ross (she/her) – Engagement and Outreach Officer

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