We’re delighted to announce 2 key appointments to boost post-COVID recovery, and drive business growth in the Scottish SME community.  Emergence from the pandemic has resulted in huge changes for businesses adapting to the ‘new normal’.  Benefits to be gained from peer-to-peer learning, collaboration and support, are key drivers for economic recovery.

Justine Mitchell, a former employment lawyer, advocate of mainstream and women’s football, and founder of Chamomile Sanctuary, is joining WeDO in a consultancy role.  She will provide advice on strategic development and business growth.

Justine commenced her working life as an employment law partner in Edinburgh, before taking the exciting step of entering the Scottish football world as the only female Director at that time of a Scottish Premier Football Club.  She founded and chaired Dundee United Women’s Football Team, as well as being involved with the Scottish Football Association and Non Executive of the Scottish Womens Football Board. In 2010, she founded award winning boutique spa Chamomile Sanctuary in Edinburgh.  She is an Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland and BABTAC and was awarded Business Women Scotland’s  Inspirational Woman of the Year Award in 2016.  In 2019, Justine won our Best Pivot Product Award for her luxury Chamomile At Home facials.

Justine said:

“While it’s doubtless that 2022 will continue to be challenging for business, it also offers exciting opportunities.  WeDO is ideally placed to assist businesses of all sizes to meet whatever challenges arise.  I look forward to working with the WeDO team, growing its profile and sharing my wider business experience.  This embraces Scottish football, property development, and establishing a luxury day spa.”

With a successful career stretching back to the mid 80’s, David Reid is one of Scotland’s best known and highly regarded marketers. As a strategic brand positioning and creative implementation specialist, he runs his own Edinburgh-based consultancy Because Brands Matter with multi-sector clients both nationally and internationally.

David has proven expertise of working with organisations and identifying areas of conflict between their existing brand positioning, their communications strategies and what they seek to achieve as potential leaders within their specialist sector.

A multiple creative and effectiveness awards winner, he is the only person in Scotland to have won Agency MD of the Year, Agency Creative Director of the Year and Marketing Client of the Year. David is an experienced Non Executive and Executive director, currently serving a Director of the Sportsman’s Charity, and Non-Executive Chairman of Alliance Creative.  Steve Johnstone, co-founder and Director of Alliance Creative is our newest member.

Commenting on joining WeDO, David said:

“I  feel really positive about joining the WeDO Executive Team. Much of my career has been spent mentoring and assisting others.  I consider WeDO to be an excellent home for those who value freely offered support and guidance.  I believe too, that many fun aspects surrounding business are too easily ignored.  I know that the social aspects of business play a crucial role  in achieving success.  From my experience as a WeDO member, I know this ethos runs deep throughout the organisation.”

Gordon White, Chairman of WeDO Scotland commented on the new appointments:

“I am delighted with the new additions to the WeDO team. David’s experience both as a business owner and marketer are welcome additions, strengthening the breadth of talent on the Executive Team.  Likewise, with her legal background, entrepreneurial experience and inspirational football background, Justine will be invaluable in helping develop the WeDO network across Scotland.  The timing of these additions is excellent as we move into a new post-COVID era.  I look forward to working with them both, alongside the rest of the Executive Team, to cement WeDO’s position as a leading business network.”

Belinda Roberts, CEO of WeDO Scotland added:

 “Throughout the pandemic, Scottish SMEs demonstrated outstanding resilience, and we recognise that 2022 is a year of considerable change. The support delivered by WeDO is proven to help entrepreneurs overcome challenges.  We are thrilled to welcome David and Justine to the team, ensuring we can continue to deliver impactful services which have a demonstrable impact on the recovery and success of the Scottish SME community.”

If you’re interested in finding out more about WeDO membership, click HERE.

Click HERE to apply for membership and we’ll be in touch.