Experience

Alter Oak - Barena International

• Commercial Director

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  Responsible for commercial strategy and implementation.

• Head of International Business Development

  • Apr 2016 - Dec 2019

  The Alter Oak Group is a global leader in the oak and wooden barrel and used cask industry currently active across 20 countries globally. We offer ageing and maturation solutions to wineries, breweries and spirit distillers.



Cashmaster International

• United Kingdom
• Retail Office Equipment
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Business Manager

  • May 2015 - Dec 2015

  Cashmaster is an ambitious Scottish manufacturer and exporter with a strong worldwide presence.As a member of the management team I was responsible for projects relating to key European markets. I took the lead role in the closure of our Polish operation, analysed other European operations as well as making recommendations on distribution. Key customer relationships, distribution and business development also fell under my remit. Key actions include:- Business analysis on European operations.- Various European market visits.- Project management of European operation closure.- Business development in France (in French) – identified and negotiated prospective distribution, visited and re-vitalised relationships with key accounts, identified potential buyers, handled all French enquiries.- European distribution analysis and recommendations.



The Saltire Foundation

• United Kingdom
• Retail Office Equipment

• Saltire Fellow 2014/15

  • Aug 2014 - Apr 2015

  Entrepreneurial Leadership programme including a fast track executive education course at Babson College in Boston MA - the number one business school for Entrepreneurship in the world.Programme visits included Silicon Valley, China, RBS Business School - Scotland.Successful completion of a business growth strategy for a US based SAAS company.Research project completed on premium product exports to China focusing on social media. Jan - April 2015: Winner of Diageo’s scholarship award - strategic high growth project conducted for Diageo's Learning for Life programme focusing on youth employability.



Tomorrow's People

• Human Resources Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Review in Scotland

  • Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

  Strategic consulting as part of the Saltire Fellowship 2015. Areas of research centred around the youth employability sector in Scotland including analysis of the Wood Recommendations, gap analysis and a Business Development action plan. Strategic consulting as part of the Saltire Fellowship 2015. Areas of research centred around the youth employability sector in Scotland including analysis of the Wood Recommendations, gap analysis and a Business Development action plan.



Belgian Embassy - Flanders Investment and Trade

• Head of Post - Scotland - Economic and Commercial Attaché

  • Aug 2009 - Aug 2014

  Head of Flanders Investment and Trade (Scottish) office • New market entry research and analysis for Belgian companies entering the UK market• Existing market expansion planning for Belgian companies entering the UK market• Pathfinder for both inward investment and export growth • Accountable for delivery of regional strategy and objectives• Overall responsibility for management and operation of office; budgeting, accounts, reporting, contract negotiation• Has delivered a measurable improvement in office service levels • Focused activities in key sectors to enhance delivery of economic benefits (including Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Life Sciences, Food and Drink)• Highly developed communication and networking skills• Presentations, conference attendance and participation: general brand awareness raising



University of Edinburgh

• United Kingdom
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Administrator - Departments of Governance, Strategic Planning and Finance

  • May 2007 - Jun 2009

  Senior role providing research and high level support in an academic environment. • Staff development – organising inter-departmental visiting programmes – academic and non-academic • Project support – Strategic Plan • Event organisation – VIPs• Budgeting department spending allocations Senior role providing research and high level support in an academic environment. • Staff development – organising inter-departmental visiting programmes – academic and non-academic • Project support – Strategic Plan • Event organisation – VIPs• Budgeting department spending allocations



Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Quality Officer

  • Dec 2005 - Apr 2007



Age Concern

• United Kingdom
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Manager, Books and Information

  • Jun 2004 - Nov 2004

  Planned and implemented the marketing of the publishing output, maximised income and achieved social objectives.Devised and managed Age Concern's book marketing campaignIntroduced successful PR strategy for all Age Concern book publishingManaged the publishing budget Managed publishing staff Planned and implemented the marketing of the publishing output, maximised income and achieved social objectives.Devised and managed Age Concern's book marketing campaignIntroduced successful PR strategy for all Age Concern book publishingManaged the publishing budget Managed publishing staff



Worldwide

• France
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Independent Travel

  • May 2003 - May 2004

  Over a period of one year I visited fourteen countries in four continents on a self-financed, solo trip. My experiences undoubtedly strengthened my communication skills, self-reliance and sense of humour. I was hired as the only female driver for the New South Wales government. Over a period of one year I visited fourteen countries in four continents on a self-financed, solo trip. My experiences undoubtedly strengthened my communication skills, self-reliance and sense of humour. I was hired as the only female driver for the New South Wales government.



Gaia Books Ltd., London

• Publishing Controller

  • May 2002 - May 2003

  Managed the UK Publishing department. Duties included increasing the UK and export trade sales and editorial input.Increased UK and international business through rebuilding relationships with customers and introducing key accounts.Managed publishing team.Created and implemented marketing plans with little or no budget Member of senior management teamRepresented the company at International Book Fairs and conferences Managed the UK Publishing department. Duties included increasing the UK and export trade sales and editorial input.Increased UK and international business through rebuilding relationships with customers and introducing key accounts.Managed publishing team.Created and implemented marketing plans with little or no budget Member of senior management teamRepresented the company at International Book Fairs and conferences



TEXERE Publishing Ltd., London

• Marketing Manager

  • Aug 2000 - May 2002

  Planned and implemented marketing objectives while providing knowledge and support to other departments. Organised and attended international fairs, conferences and book launches Developed excellent author relationships and enjoyed positive feedback from stakeholdersGained promotion to management after six months Planned and implemented marketing objectives while providing knowledge and support to other departments. Organised and attended international fairs, conferences and book launches Developed excellent author relationships and enjoyed positive feedback from stakeholdersGained promotion to management after six months