Meet our team

I have been Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Academy (SEA) since December 2007. During this time we have become the largest ILM Centre in Scotland and have shared our model internationally. We now have country teams in 6 countries including Australia, Canada, China, Scotland, South Africa and Sweden.

My early career was in the private sector where I set up and was MD of an IT Consultancy firm based in Brighton working with large corporate clients such as American Express, Pfizer and British Aerospace. On selling my stake in the business, I completed an MBA at Stirling University where I developed the idea for a social enterprise founded in 2004: Quit&Save was established to support people quit smoking using peer learning principles.

During this time, I have served on the boards of FirstPort, SVE, (my local Third Sector Interface in Stirling) and of Impact Arts – Scotland’s largest arts-based social enterprise. I recently chaired the group set up to create the Social Enterprise Strategy for Edinburgh. I currently serve on the boards of Social Enterprise Scotland and SEA Africa a joint venture based in Cape Town, which was established in partnership with a Pan-African Economic development company.

I joined SEA in 2017, having previously been a management consultant specialising in people and organisational development.

I lead on key functions within the Academy, including product development, quality assurance, communications, and impact measurement. I work across our international network to ensure we consistently design and deliver transformational learning experiences and catalyse the impact of our partners and learners.

Outside of the Academy I enjoy travel and adventures both near and far, trying new sports, and good food (particularly anything sweet).

Joined August 2025

Joined the Academy in 2023.

My role support the many young social entrepreneurs across the UK develop a trading social enterprise to impact the social issues they care about. We open up the world of opportunity, developing their skills and confidence through growing our partnerships with industry and corporate organisations to deepen the impact of our programmes.

I like working at the Academy because I get to work with so many passionate people who want to make an impact. If I started up my own SE it would be to make tutoring accessible to young people who cannot afford it. I’d like to start up a SE to address social mobility.

Out of the Academy I enjoy spending my time making people laugh with comedy

I’m so pleased to be working at Social Enterprise Academy having just started in August 2025. I have had a 20+ year career in HR, mainly working in the charity or not for profit space.

My role here is to continue the great work that has been done already in making this a fantastic place to work and learn, where our people can be themselves therefore being the best they can be their roles, whether that’s supporting what we do or delivering it.

Outside of work I’m either lifting weights, running or walking my dog, I’m always on the move.

Joined November 2024

I joined the Academy in July 2023, having previously worked with adults with learning disability and young people, through delivering and facilitating arts and crafts, and multimedia workshops in the third sector. I am passionate about making learning accessible to individuals with different learning styles and abilities using alternative communications and visual prompts. I have also been running my own business in graphic design and in designing-making bespoke contemporary hand-printed interior wallpaper and interior fabrics, whilst teaching textiles printing courses to the public from my studio.

My role revolves around graphic design within marketing and communications. I maintain and implement the Academy’s branding focus, alongside the maintenance and implementation of our marketing and communications strategies, while providing core graphic design support for teams across the business.

Out of the Academy, I enjoy spending time with my rescue dog, with other interests comprising of but not limited to cooking and eating, art and design, reading, attending gigs, listening to music, playing the guitar, singing and making music and performing with my band, jewellery making, psychology and human behaviour.

Joined August 2025

Joined April 2025

In my role I am currently supporting the launch of Dragonfly Trust, focusing on designing and implementing systems, building the website and managing administrative tasks to establish strong foundations for future impact.

If I started my own social enterprise, it would bring people together through outdoor group fitness sessions, utilising materials like trees, rocks and natural gradients. This approach would make exercise enjoyable, accessible and affordable while enhancing mental and physical wellbeing, and increasing a sense of community.

Joined in 2009, initially leading on programme management in the Highlands & Islands. My role is to work in partnership to make transformational learning happen.

Our learners bring about real change in communities, so it’s a privilege to be able to support them on their journey.

I am also a Director of Circular Communities Scotland, and of Heartland Cares – a new community care social enterprise in Highland Perthshire.

Outside of the Academy I enjoy spending my time running on the mountains and in various marathons, wildcamping, cycling and visiting South Africa where we have family.

I joined Social Enterprise Academy in 2022 after a winding road through a variety of roles in both the private and third sectors. I worked more than a decade in live music events merchandise at home in Australia, spent time doing L&D at Apple, handled projects in the Arts, and arrived in Scotland to fall into work with the criminal justice system and wider third sector before happily finding my way to the Academy.

My role lets me work with partners all around the world, as well as our international Hubs, developing and supporting a huge variety of new programmes and partnerships.

Outside the Academy, you will find me with my nose in a newspaper, wolfing down another politics podcast, or hunting through my local opshops for obscure SFF novels.

I joined the Academy in July 2014 having spent many years prior working in disability and employability support roles.

I am accountable for leading the delivery team to achieve operational plans and organisational targets and maximise the impact and growth of the Academy’s adult learning programmes. I support strategic planning and contribute to the successful management of key client accounts.

Outside of work, I volunteer with an arts organisation in Edinburgh and do my best to keep up regular running and exercise.

Joined 2024

My love for Learning and Development actually started while training scuba divers in Asia in my early career. I am fascinated by the different ways people challenge and develop themselves as they learn new things! 

I joined the Academy as a volunteer in June 2016 after completing my HR degree. After being made a member of staff I worked in the Scotland delivery team for a number of years, supporting the programme delivery across the sector before moving into my current role in the Global Learning Lab.

In my role, I provide specialist design support to delivery teams and facilitators. I also support our facilitator development processes across the global network. 

In my spare time I am slowly but surely working my way towards an ICF Level 2 Certificate in Professional Coaching Practice. I also enjoy the odd DIY project – especially if it includes a trip to IKEA!

I joined the Academy in January 2023 and previously worked in marketing, project management and administrative roles.  In 2018, I graduated with a degree in Marketing & Business Enterprise from the University of Strathclyde.

My role involves building strong relationships with partners and clients in Gaelic medium settings and assisting the Academy in developing programmes that meet their requirements.

I like working at the Academy because I have been inspired by the work of social enterprises across the world since I studied this business model at university.  It’s also exciting to be part of an organisation that has a track record of delivering such transformational learning and development!

I joined the Academy in 2021 and moved to Scotland from Bristol where I worked with a youth charity supporting young people to become self-employed and set up in business. I am originally from Ireland, where I ran my own business in Solution Constellations, happiness workshops and wellbeing coaching.

In my role with the Academy, I work on the design and development of  new and innovative learning programmes. 

Outside of work, I enjoy the outdoors, camping, exploring what’s possible and playing the ukulele!

I joined the Academy in February 2018 as the International Learning Administrator before moving into the Programme Manager role in the Scotland delivery team. I look after all the programmes that we deliver as part of the Just Enterprise Consortium. 

Out of the Academy I love cooking, reading and trips to the cinema.  My time in South-East Asia has given me a lifelong love of exploring new countries and cultures and I am always on the lookout for THE perfect beach.

Passionate about organisational change and social impact, I joined the Academy in July 2018. Over the years, I have managed a wide range of learning programmes in close collaboration with third sector organisations, while also supporting the Delivery team in shaping and implementing our strategic and operational plans.

I enjoy working in partnership to understand community needs, helping people adapt to change, and encouraging new ways of working.

As Learning & Development Partnership Manager, I connect with organisations to co-design learning solutions tailored to their needs, enabling them to collaborate more effectively and maximise their impact. I am especially motivated by building strong relationships with changemakers dedicated to creating lasting social impact.

Outside of the Academy, I enjoy spending my time rock climbing. It is a fantastic sport that enables me to learn a lot about myself – It is challenging, helps strengthen determination, and teaches a lot about failure and how to learn from it. I also like hiking, cultural events and nice chats with people

I joined the Academy in June 2019. Prior to the Academy, I worked as an administrator.

As Senior Programme Coordinator, I support the learners and organise the administrative side of the programmes as well as training and supporting the wider coordinator team. I endeavour to make sure the facilitator and learners have everything they need, therefore ensuring that the programmes go as smoothly as possible. In particular, I spend most of my time managing the programme pages that learners are able to access.

Outside of the Academy, I enjoy spending my time reading anything I can get my hands on and snuggling with my cat. 

Joined November 2023

Joined July 2022.

My role is to enhance the learner experience and ensure you are set up for success within all of our programmes! I can help with everything you need; find the right programme for your needs, where and when to attend, any accessibility or learning needs, support with signing up and accessing materials & resources and anything you need whilst you are learning with us and beyond.

Outside of the Academy you will find me in the remote Highlands enjoying country life! I value community at0 the heart of everything I do and champion support to combat rural inequalities and isolation.

Joined November 2025

Joined in 2023.

I help to create and implement our Young People delivery strategy and responsible for operational delivery planning for the Young People team in England and Wales.

I run a composting and urban farming social enterprise with my friend, tackling food waste in landfill and access to food and food growing opportunities.

I started at the Academy in December 2017.

I have a background in International Development and Youth work and have been lucky enough to volunteer for a number of fantastic organisations doing work both in Glasgow and overseas. In my previous post I was a sales and development executive for a fair trade social enterprise and so was incredibly excited to have the opportunity to join the Social Enterprise Academy and get the opportunity to support others on their social enterprise journey.

In my role as an Education Manager, I’ve been lucky enough to work with an amazing selection of teachers and pupils creating some truly wonderful social enterprises. My responsibilities include arranging pupil workshops with our social enterprise tutors, maintaining relationships with key actors throughout the education sector and providing support and advice to teachers who are looking to give their kids the best possible experience of social enterprise. If you want to know anything about how to introduce social enterprise to your school or local authority, contact me!

Outside of the academy, I spend my spare time kicking a ball about and trying my best to keep up with my daughter.

I joined the academy in August 2022. I’m responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with new and existing schools across the west as well as ensuring they’re booked in for pupil workshops and helping them on their way towards the Dragons’ Den. Building relationships with teachers has been a joy and a key part of my role.  It’s been a pleasure watching the journey of young people since I started and I’m very excited to see what the future holds.

I like working at the academy because it gives me a sense of purpose that’s very hard to find in your job usually. I work with a great team and there’s rarely ever a day I dread going to work. In my younger years I had done a lot of youth work in my local area as well as in Malawi and seeing the impact Social Enterprise Schools has made within communities in my local area and beyond is very rewarding and inspiring and I would like to contribute to that as much as I can.

I joined the Academy in 2023 as a Facilitator and moved over into my current role in August 2025.

My role involves pitching the school programme to teachers and acting as their main contact throughout their journey. Overseeing workshops and ensuring that I gather feedback from facilitators and teachers to be able to tailor the programme to the needs of the schools and build positive relationships with those schools. Additionally, I support with planning events such as Dragons’ Dens and our Awards Ceremony.

Out of the Academy I enjoy live music travelling and reading.

I joined the academy in August 2025 after working in the charity sector as a project coordinator. Before that I was in education as an Autism Champion and Primary teacher for over ten years.

My role involves pitching the school programme to teachers and acting as their main contact throughout their journey. Overseeing workshops and ensuring that I gather feedback from facilitators and teachers to be able to tailor the programme to the needs of the schools and build positive relationships with those schools. Additionally, I support with planning events such as Dragons’ Dens and our Awards Ceremony.

Out of the Academy I enjoy spending my time travelling, getting out to live music events and baking.

I was thrilled to join the team in July 2022.  I have been working in Education for the last 10 years, firstly as a Primary Teacher at an International School in Belgium and then for a charity in Scotland, providing an educational qualification in schools. I am passionate about making education accessible and exciting for everyone. 

Outside of the Academy, I love spending time with my family, walking by the sea and observing all the amazing aspects of the coastline. I am a keen supporter of the performing arts and love all the musicals especially.

I joined the Academy in 2021 after primarily working within a Health & Social Care setting, and then within the third sector, working for a national charity that supported women and children in need.

My role as Education Programme Coordinator is to support the Education team, our Facilitators, and Learners through our Social Enterprise Schools Programme. I liaise with schools, Facilitators and the Education Team to plan and manage Pupil Workshops, CPDs and other events. I also act as the main point of contact for the Education Team.

I like working at the Academy because the people I work with are so passionate about making positive changes and work incredibly hard towards creating a greener, fairer and more sustainable society.

If I was to start my own social enterprise, I would like to combine using surplus food and tackling food waste, with helping people and families in need.

Outside of the Academy, I enjoy spending time with my family, getting outdoors, and exploring Scotland.

I joined the Academy in November 2024. My role as Education Administrator is to support the delivery of the Social Enterprise Schools programme across the UK. I co-ordinate between our Education Facilitators and schools to organise workshops, CPD sessions, and Dragons’ Den events.

I have a degree in English Literature and spend most of my spare time reading, reviewing, and promoting books for publishers. I’ll read anything and everything and I’m always keen for a bookish chat! In-between this, I also have a little terror of a terrier called Erik who keeps me on my toes.