Huntly Development Trust Brander Building, The Square, , AB54 8BR Tel 01466 799416  Fax 01466 795315  [email protected]  www.huntly.net  SC 358964

“Working with others to build a resilient, inclusive, enterprising community capable of dealing with ongoing change.”

Director and Staff Biographies

DIRECTORS

RICHARD HAMMOCK – HDT Chair Richard's career in senior management included spells in HR, marketing, property, security and general management. He was Deputy General Manager for BT’s largest and most profitable operational unit in Central London. Richard set up and ran a successful consultancy and management training company working with FTSE 100 companies and multinational companies. Since 'retiring' to Scotland he has chaired a number of voluntary organisations including Huntly Farmers Market, The Hairst Food and Farming Festival, Hall (the famous Tin Hut) and several local charities.

STUART THOMSON – HDT Finance Director Stuart, a Chartered Accountant by trade, works as Commercial Director for McPherson Ltd; the largest bulk spirits transport providers in Scotland. Trained in PWC, he has previously held senior financial positions in GEC, GE, the Lithgow Group and Dalgety. He has lived in Huntly for the last 15 years and having done his stint as Primary School Board Treasurer and Chairman, he now continues to run the local hockey and fledgling table tennis clubs – both of which he stubbornly continues to play!

MARK BRADY Mark has lived with his family in Huntly since November 2007. Mark grew up in Westhill, . He studied law at the University of Edinburgh and after working in Edinburgh and Glasgow returned to Aberdeenshire in 2006, working as a solicitor in private practice in , focussing on corporate finance. Mark also has experience in event and project management and hospitality. In his spare time Mark enjoys walking and other outdoor pursuits, including golf, sailing and skiing.

STEVEN HUTCHEON After completing a BSc Hons Degree in Forestry at Aberdeen University, Steven worked with a number of companies in the Forestry and Landscaping industries. After taking a year out to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies he joined International Paper Ltd in in a number of operations based roles. During this time Steven completed an HND in Papermaking at Bury College and an MBA at Aberdeen University. In 2004 Steven left International Paper to join Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) where he currently heads the Transformational Projects Team in Moray. In his time with HIE Steven has gained experience in a variety of different areas including community development, business support, property, tourism, renewables, international trade support, project appraisal and due diligence in addition to staff, budget and office management. Steven is married with two children and lives in Huntly. He has been a committee member and past secretary of Huntly Rugby Club and currently coaches the micros section of the club. Steven has been involved with HDT since August 2009 and has also acted as interim chair.

This project is being part‐financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER 2007‐2013 Huntly Development Trust Brander Building, The Square, Huntly, AB54 8BR Tel 01466 799416  Fax 01466 795315  [email protected]  www.huntly.net  SC 358964

“Working with others to build a resilient, inclusive, enterprising community capable of dealing with ongoing change.”

FIONA MANSON Fiona was raised and educated in Huntly. In Aberdeen she gained Registration in General Nursing and Midwifery. Following this she worked in Inner London in both NHS and Private Health Care. She represented nurses and midwives as a Royal College Midwives Steward. She worked with and managed hospital and home birth teams of midwives, during this time she completed a Diploma in Midwifery Studies and BSc Hons Health. Returning to Huntly with her family in 2004 she has worked with a variety of local organisations to help organise various festivals, MacDonald; Centre; Huntly Mini Tattoo. Currently is Chair of Huntly and District Tourism Action Group and founder of the highly successful Summer Traditional Scottish Evenings. She currently runs a 4 Star Guest House at Coynachie.

DAVID NICHOLLS David’s career as a Management Consultant, specializing in large-scale IT enabled business change programmes, includes assignments with GE Healthcare, SABMiller, National Australia Bank, Orange and SWIFT. David has operated at Board level on numerous occasions and held an interim CIO position for a global manufacturing company. David’s career included several years with both Rolls-Royce Aero Engines and KPMG Consulting. At KPMG, David held a number of senior management positions, including Head of Information Technology Services for KPMG Hong Kong and he also led the firm’s UK Programme and Business Change Management practice area. David co-owns a successful 4 star guest house business on the outskirts of Huntly.

EMMA PLUMPTON Emma is an Investment Manager with private client stockbrokers Redmayne- Bentley LLP and Manager of their Grampian branch based in Huntly. She also assists her partner with his own business as a local food producer. She was a longstanding member of the Gartly Hall (Tin Hut) Committee before her appointment to HDT. She uses her background in the hospitality industry in the organisation of Tin Hut Suppers which showcases local chefs and local produce at the Tin Hut, Gartly.

PAUL SWARBRIGG Paul has worked within the Food industry for the past 25 years in both Technical and Operational Managment roles. Most recently Paul is Head of Technical for the renowned Walkers Shortbread Ltd, following 9 years with Baxters Food Group. He has also been involved with local groups and is currently a Scout leader with scout group and vice president of Huntly Rugby Club. Paul and his family moved to Huntly in 2002.

This project is being part‐financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER 2007‐2013 Huntly Development Trust Brander Building, The Square, Huntly, AB54 8BR Tel 01466 799416  Fax 01466 795315  [email protected]  www.huntly.net  SC 358964

“Working with others to build a resilient, inclusive, enterprising community capable of dealing with ongoing change.”

ANNA WILSON Anna grew up near Huntly, and after a degree in Politics & Sociology from Edinburgh University returned to the family farm. Huntly Herbs, a diversification from the farm, has grown to be a successful and award winning organic food business. Anna is actively involved in the running of Huntly Farmers Market, Huntly Hairst Food & Farming Festival, The Tin Hut Sessions, Huntly Film Community and the Tin Hut Suppers.

CLAUDIA ZEISKE Claudia has a degree in Economics and masters in Social Anthropology. She is a freelance curator and cultural activist who advises organisations through her company FineFunds. Claudia has collaborated with many organisations across Scotland including the National Galleries of Scotland, Duff House, the Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Peacock Visual Arts and the Royal Scottish Academy, and acts as project agent for some internationally renowned artists. She is co- founder and Director of Deveron Arts in Huntly and has set up the acclaimed Artists at Glenfiddich programme in rural Speyside. Claudia now lives in Huntly after living in a number of countries across Europe and further afield.

STAFF

DONALD BOYD – Development Manager Donald was born and bred in Huntly. On leaving the town’s Gordon Schools he became a Chartered Surveyor in Aberdeen before working his way through Europe and the Middle East for two years. On his return to the UK he studied Environmental Management and Community Water Supply Engineering for developing countries at Cranfield University. He then worked for a year as a volunteer with a small charity in the Western Highlands of Guatemala installing gravity-fed water systems. A nine-year stint as project manager with the International Institute for the Urban Environment in Delft, The Netherlands followed. In 2005, Donald returned to his hometown as Town Coordinator with the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership and completed his MBA with the Open University. He then helped establish its successor, Huntly Development Trust, in 2009 and became its first Development Manager. Donald lives in Huntly with his wife and young son.

DEBBIE HAEFNER – Administration Manager Debbie grew up in Huntly and attended . Her past employment history and HNC in Administration and Information Management has gained her significant experience within the office admin sector. Her employment history includes a period as administrator at a local architectural practice, as well as a stint as Clerk to Gordon Primary School Board. Debbie was employed as Clerical Officer in 2008 for Huntly Development Trust’s predecessor Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership. She has now taken on the full time role as Administration Manager with HDT. Debbie takes part in local fundraising and charity events and volunteers with local groups. She is currently, and has been for the past 8 years, a Guider at 1st Huntly Brownies. Debbie lives in Huntly with her fiancé and daughter.

This project is being part‐financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER 2007‐2013