ALISON MCGREGOR CCMI

As CEO Scotland, Alison is the senior leader responsible for the HSBC Group in Scotland, with over 4000 employees across a range of businesses.

Alison is a Non-Executive Director of The Beatson Cancer Charity, a Board member of Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board and has only recently stepped down Chair of CBI Scotland.

ELLIS WATSON

Ellis Watson is Executive Chair of DC Thomson Publishing, one of the world's largest family owned media groups. He was previously Global CEO of Syco Entertainment, running Simon Cowell’s TV and record labels to take X Factor and the Got Talent formats around the world.

Ellis' first break came as a young Marketing Director at The Sun and The News of the World, moving on to take charge of the new digital business and reporting directly to Rupert Murdoch. After ten years at News Corporation he became CEO of Celador International - licensing Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? to 100 countries and overseeing 130 consumer products.

KATE BASSETT

Kate is a business journalist with 17 years’ experience. Her career spans editing Real Business and Management Today to freelancing gigs with The Times, the Guardian and the Financial Times. As Management Today’s features editor, you'll find her interviewing business big shots and entrepreneurs, writing features and commissioning articles.

Notable interviews include former BP CEO Lord John Browne; perfumer Jo Malone; Hobbs boss Meg Lustman; and Ann Summers CEO Jacqueline Gold. She also chairs and produces Management Today's Inspiring Women conference in London and Edinburgh, and is frequently invited to host business events.

PROFESSOR KEN RUSSELL

Alongside his role as a research professor, Ken is responsible for teaching in the realms of strategy, leadership, culture and change, innovation and consultancy. He has a portfolio of doctoral students (PhD and DBA) that mirror these themes. Ken has worked at RGU since 2005 and has also held a number of managerial roles within the University. He is currently Head of the Chartered Management Institute Centre at Aberdeen Business School.

Ken holds a BSc and PhD from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Civil Engineering) and an MBA from London Business School.

JACQUI LOW

Jacqui Low is a communications professional with more than 30 years’ experience in media, business, politics and government. Jacqui has been involved in many high profile situations in Scotland throughout her career, including Lockerbie and Dunblane, and now privately advises institutions and individuals on managing business issues and crises as part of her role as Executive Chairman of Indigo, an award-winning and respected communications company managing the reputations of organisations and individuals that she set up almost 20 years ago.

Jacqui is a firm believer that diversity enhances the performance of boards and organisations – but only if based on merit. In addition to bringing a different perspective that broadens the Board’s view, her willingness to get her hands dirty and bring a sense of humour to almost every situation make her the perfect fit for Partick Thistle.

JENNIFER THOMAS

Jennifer entered the world of communications within the IT industry, but then moved onto financial services. With over 20 years' experience in PR, starting at Lloyd’s of London, she advanced her career within the insurance sector to Head of Financial Communications and more recently as Head of Internal Communications and Experience at Direct Line Group. She is also a leading diversity champion within Direct Line Group.

Through her role as Chair of the Gender and Working Families strand, her aim is to move diversity and inclusion up the boardroom agenda and encourage businesses to see the benefits of a truly diverse workplace.

NEIL PICKERING CMGR FCMI

Neil has 32 years post apprenticeship experience in industry; with 30 years in the Oil and Gas Industry. Neil has undertaken various roles throughout his early career ranging from detailed design through to commissioning and operations.

A chartered manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, Neil is also ECITB Regional Chair Offshore Oil and Gas sector and an ECITB Board member.

LYNN MANN

Lynn Mann started Supernature Oils in 2011 with her husband and co-owner Chris, producing cold pressed rapeseed oil and Infused oils on their tenanted family farm. They now have the broadest range of Infused oils in the UK and have become the most awarded cold pressed rapeseed oil in the UK, with 11 National Awards. Their award-winning White and Black Truffle oils have gained listings in Harrods, and they export to several countries.

Lynn is also a Women’s Enterprise Scotland Ambassador, is on the Strategic Advisory Board of INTERFACE, and is currently setting up a new social enterprise called Food For Good.

MARGARET COOK

Margaret Cook was appointed as Chair of the Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board by the Scottish Government, for the period 1 February, 2016 to 31 January, 2020.

Margaret Cook is a Human Resource specialist with extensive experience in the higher education sector, having spent the last 20 years as HR Director at Bell College, Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University. She now runs her own Human Resources and Organisation Development Consultancy, successfully catering for both public and private sector clients.

Margaret served on the Board of Cumbernauld College for 8 years, as Chair of the Resources and General Purposes Committee and Vice Chair of the Board. She then served on the Merger Steering Committee which oversaw the merger of three colleges to create New College Lanarkshire and was a member of the Lanarkshire Board where she was Chair of Resources and General Purposes Committee. She is a member of the Board for the First Scottish Universities Credit Union.