Announcing the new WeDO Chair & Advisory Board
We’re delighted to announce the new WeDO Chair and Advisory Board. Richard Simpson, joint Managing Director of Tayburn, one of Scotland’s longest-standing creative agencies, has been appointed as our new Chair, along with a further two new Board members, Ian McLeod Kerr, CEO and founder of Raven Controls – winner of our 2021 International Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Kelly Jones, Director of Begbies Traynor who join existing Board member Caitlin White of fatBuzz.
Richard takes over from our former Chair, Gordon White, Managing Director of fatBuzz. Gordon was in post for 4 years, including during the testing times during the pandemic and we’re very grateful to him for the time he dedicated in the role.
Tayburn recently announced a strategic alliance with equally long-established creative agency, Lewis, which acquired Tayburn earlier this year, resulting in the formation of the Limitless Innovation Group.
Commenting on his new role as Chair of the Advisory Board, Richard said:
“I was as surprised and flattered in equal measure when Belinda asked me to become Chair of WeDO. It is an honour I’m delighted to accept and I’m excited by the opportunity to continue to champion Scottish entrepreneurship alongside my colleagues on our Advisory Board. With an exciting programme of our current events and new formats to be added in 2025, including our flagship conference on 6 November, I’m looking forward to continuing to collaborate, support and learn from our members and welcome new members and partners into the fold.”
Commenting on the new appointments, Belinda Roberts, founder and CEO added:
“As we enter our sixteenth year in business, the combined expertise, leadership, and fresh perspectives from Richard, Ian and Kelly who join Caitlin on the Advisory Board. Their appointments are pivotal as we continue to innovate and champion Scottish entrepreneurship. These appointments reflect a cross-section of industry sectors that will be invaluable to accelerating our future growth plans and meeting the evolving needs of our members.
I sincerely thank Gordon for his support and leadership during his tenure, alongside Debbie Byers, David Reid, Pete Higgins and Danny McIntyre who have all been valued and dedicated members of the team.
With the current economic challenges facing many businesses, there’s never been a better time to continue and build upon the work we’ve been doing over the last sixteen years to deliver powerful, engaging and proven peer network support, enabling our members to scale their businesses and maximise growth potential. We’re looking forward to exciting times ahead as we implement new initiatives to further meet the needs of our members.”
Ian McLeod Kerr, winner of our 2021 International Entrepreneur of the Year Award, is founder of Raven Controls and ID Resilience which delivers powerful real-time situational awareness for all stakeholders involved in event and venue management globally through its integrated emergency management system. Ian has intimate knowledge and experience of planning, testing and exercising utilising Integrated Emergency Management principles, primarily developed through a 10-year career with Police Scotland within Emergencies and Counter-Terrorist planning. He founded Raven in December 2017 and has enjoyed incredible success working with UK Sport, European Tour, European Championships 2018, Rugby World Cup 2015, UK Sport, Football Safety Officers Association, English Football League, SEC and National Arenas Association to name but a few.
Commenting on his new role Ian said:
“WeDO Scotland has inspired me not only with amazing entrepreneurial speakers and supper clubs but also with its close group of members. That interaction, sharing of challenges and inspiring ideas is why I was delighted to join the advisory board. Im looking forward to contributing to foster that entrepreneurial and innovative spirit to deliver value for our existing members and welcome new leaders to our community.”
Kelly Jones, Insolvency Director of Begbies Traynor, a leading independent business recovery specialist, advising major banks, accountancy practices, law firms, and directors & stakeholders with a network of 100 offices throughout the UK. Kelly joined the company in 2020 and was previously with Grant Thornton UK LLP and Invocas Group. Based in the Edinburgh office, Kelly specialises in advising on insolvency options, working directly with individuals and businesses to find appropriate solutions.
On joining the Advisory Board, Kelly commented:
“I’ve loved being part of the WeDO business community which, for me, stands out in terms of the quality of the events, speakers, and membership in general. As such I was delighted to be asked to join the Advisory Board team and I look forward to being able to assist in developing this fantastic business network.”
Gordon White, outgoing Chair and Managing Director of fatBuzz commented:
“It has been a great privilege to be the WeDO Scotland’s Chair for the past four years. Throughout my tenure, which included during the pandemic, it was truly heartwarming to witness how our members pulled together and genuinely helped one another; a true testament to what WeDO stands for.
I wish Richard all the very best, I know he will make a highly competent Chair, and I look forward to watching WeDO continue to grow under his leadership”.
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