Meet the Team

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.

Chris Lumsden – Investment Readiness Manager

Chris manages LaunchMe, our investment readiness 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 oversees repayable investment programmes across the Firstport Group, including delivering the Catalyst Fund.

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.

Dr Emma Ives – Business Advisor

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

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.

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.