Board of Advisors
Alistair Gray
Senior Independent Director -Silence Therapeutics PLC
One of Europe’s leading strategic management consultants with over 40 years’ experience working with businesses ranging from multinational corporations through to technology-based start-ups and high growth companies. He is currently chair of Scottish Enterprise Pension and Life Assurance Scheme (£800m fund) and Senior Independent Director of Silence Therapeutics PLC a pharmaceutical company listed on the AIM and NASDAQ stock markets. Along with chairing the Edrington Group Staff Share Scheme Trustees Alistair is a published Author.
Trina Everall
Co-Founder at Stori, the content marketing agency
Trina started out as a tap dancer with a nose for news. After gaining industry work experience at the Croydon Advertiser, she went on to work in media at The Guardian connecting universities with diverse audiences. Trina set up Guardian Courses working with UKHE and international institutions on their content marketing, before moving on to expand the commercial content proposition at Wonkhe, the home of higher education policy.
Thomas Harding
Co-Founder & CEO of Mish Guru
Tom Harding is the co-founder and CEO of the software platform Mish Guru. Since 2014 he has been helping brands like Redbull, Nike McDonalds, Lululemon Coca Cola, and more to tell their stories on Snapchat and Instagram. He built the companies sales, marketing, and support teams from the ground up and lead several rounds of venture capital funding to drive expansion into the US market.
Emma Gilmartin
Head of Social Media and Student Comms at the University of Glasgow
Since joining the University of Glasgow in 2013, Emma Gilmartin has revolutionised the way the university approaches social media and student communications, putting its students and colleagues at the forefront of its activity. As head of the multi award winning team, she leads its creative vision, digital content strategy and community engagement.
As Head of Social Media and Student Communications, she has unified the university's online presence, established and strengthened the UofG social brand and led an overhaul of Glasgow's social output — using emerging channels, live platforms and creative ways to bring the UofG story to life, break news, promote world-changing research and grow community engagement and all things #TeamUofG.
In 2019, Emma won the inaugural ‘Pioneer Award’ at the ContentEd Awards 2019 for being a leader in the Education sector and breaking new ground in content strategy. She regularly speaks at conferences and writes blogs on the importance and value of social media in the higher education sector.
In a personal capacity, she hosts and produces the ‘Hopes and Dreams Podcast’ – to offer support, advice and hope to women and men experiencing baby loss or fertility struggles.
Rupert Forsythe
Founder and CEO of Stageclip
Founder and CEO of Stageclip. StageClip is a technology platform that creates individualised video clips of every person at mass participation events from video feeds taken remotely.
For success start-ups need experience, energy, passion and a flexible team that believes in the journey. Bringing all that together is one of Rupert's key strengths and it's backed up with global experience and a good all-round understanding of businesses and the way they function.
Janice Cuningham
Ecosystem Development Manager - University of Strathclyde
Janice is purpose driven, ambitious and self-motivated in her role as Ecosystem Development Manager at Strathclyde Inspire, part of the Innovation & Industry Engagement team at University of Strathclyde, and a proven people leader driving performance and creating a positive culture of continuous improvement.
With a career long passion for supporting micro and small to medium size enterprises, she brings relevant expertise, networks, skills, and experience, along with a passion to support entrepreneurial talent in reaching their potential.
She is recognised by her peers as a credible expert with a broad range of skills, and the ability to collaborate across boundaries whilst understanding the bigger picture.
Simon Bailie
CEO at Digital DNA
Simon is a highly experienced and innovative executive with a passion for technology and leadership, driving Digital DNA's growth as an exclusive online media, event, and community building organization that supports the tech sector and promotes innovation through collaboration. He has developed multiple online experiences and unique offline events that have engaged over 30,000 people from 60+ countries and represent all corners of the tech community. Simon is also a regular commentator and writer on the opportunities technology can unlock, and advises and consults startups and organizations on growth strategies, while maintaining a strong network throughout the public and private sector. Additionally, he is passionate about inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and is involved with several initiatives that mentor young people and expose them to new opportunities.
