After roaming around the tropics as crew on a sailing yacht, my first serious jobs were in publishing and property. In a bid to launch my entrepreneurial career I took an MBA from Edinburgh Business School then founded Urchin where I was MD for 10 years until its sale at the end of 2006.
Subsequently, I launched Nauteco, a new brand in the marine sector, and advised a number of multi-channel SME’s on everything from systems and processes to website relaunches, email marketing and brand development. As Interim FD I helped relaunch Sarah Raven’s Kitchen & Garden at the beginning of 2009.
I am co-owner of Gramar Investments Limited, a private investment company specialising in multi-channel retail and related sectors. Our investments include Frank Learning, a US company that combines expert advice with fictional stories to create unique online learning programs for business, and ISSEE, a consulting and training business. You can read more about our investment strategy at the Gramar website.
I regularly write features for Catalogue & eBusiness magazine and am a member of the judging panel for the coveted annual ECMOD awards – the Oscars of the multi-channel world! In October, I will be chairing a panel discussion at the ECMOD conference.
Outside the retail sector, I highly value the opportunity to contribute as a Business Mentor for the Prince’s Trust, helping in a small way to nurture young business talent in the West Country.
Born in Edinburgh, and following periods in London and Brighton, I now live with my family in rural Wiltshire near the market town of Marlborough. I love riding my bike, taking photos and pottering on our allotment (and would like to become more proficient at all of them). With more time on my hands, I’d be checking off more Scottish Munros and filling up my diving log book.
