Chamber Council

Steve Cook
Chief Executive
Empire HR

Steve is Chief Executive of HR and employment law firm, Empire HR and is also Chairman of Enterprise North East Trust (ENET). Steve is a Patron and fundraiser for Cancer Link Aberdeen and North (CLAN) and is also involved with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the Aberdeen International Football Festival.

Paul Dymond
Operations Director
Oil & Gas UK

Paul is Operations Manager at Oil & Gas UK and is responsible for operations issues and bringing a consolidated industry perspective to cross-industry, non-fiscal initiatives in support of sustaining North Sea success, including exploration, field developments, decommissioning and infrastructure.

Alistair Green
Director of Business Development
Production Services Network

Ali is a Chartered Engineer with over 30 years experience in the Oil and Gas industry. As the Business Development Director for Production Services Network (PSN) he is a key member of the team that led the successful MBO to create PSN in 2006.

Sylvia Halkerston
HR Director
Macphie of Glenbervie

Sylvia has experience in several industries including Oil & Gas, Hospitality, Construction, Transport, to Food & Drink, as well as the Public Sector. She holds roles on a number of boards including the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, and is a Court Member of the University of Abertay, Dundee.

Kevin McCormick
Chairman
Covey McCormick

Kevin is chairman of SME Covey McCormick Creative Marketing, an award winning advertising, marketing and communications agency founded in Aberdeen in 1987. He is a trustee of the ARCHIE Foundation, a member of the Board of Governors of Lathallan School and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Alasdair McGill
Managing Director
Freelance World

Alasdair joined the Chamber Council in 2010. He is Managing Director of Freelance World, a leading provider of accounting, tax & business support services to SME’s and contractors with offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh & Glasgow.

Richard Tinto
Managing Director
Tinto Architecture

Richard was elected to the Chamber Council in 2010. He is the major shareholder and managing director of Tinto Architecture Ltd. A Northern Star Rising Star finalist in 2008, Richard was a founding member of the steering group which formed Young Chamber Connections in 2006/2007.

Beverley Tricker
Managing Director
Tricker PR

Beverley is a member of the CIPR and the PRCA and one of only seven Scots to make it into the industry's definitive guide - The PR Powerbook. Beverley has built a reputation for offering creative PR and marketing solutions to her clients.

Graeme Watt
Director
F G Burnett

Graeme is a Director of property consultant F G Burnett. Industrial property is his forte providing, as he does, consultancy advice on agency and rent review matters. As well as the RICS, Graeme is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Jennifer Young
Partner
Ledingham Chalmers

Jennifer Young is a partner with Ledingham Chalmers LLP. Accredited as a specialist in Construction Law by the Law Society of Scotland, Jennifer heads up the firm’s Construction Unit; and is a member of the Board of Governors at the Robert Gordon University.

Ian Yuill
Councillor
Aberdeen City Council

Councillor Ian Yuill is Vice Convener of Aberdeen City Council's Finance and Resources Committee. A councillor for over sixteen years, Ian has experience of working in both the private and third sectors. He is a Chartered Marketer, Member of the CIPR and Fellow of the RSA.

Bruce Angus
Head of Office
Brewin Dolphin

Bruce is Head of Office at wealth management specialist Brewin Dolphin in Aberdeen, Bruce also sits on the Brewin Dolphin National Executive for Financial Planning. He is a Burgess of the Guild of Aberdeen, and a member of both the Securities Institute and the Professional Finance Society.

David Briggs
Executive Director - HR
RGU

David is Executive Director – Human Resources at Robert Gordon University, the Sunday Times Best Scottish University of the Year 2010. He is a member of several higher education policy and advisory groups, including the national pension forum which advises on pensions matters in higher education.

Bill Duguid
Chartered Surveyor
Ryden

Bill is a chartered surveyor and Regional Managing Partner of Ryden's north of Scotland offices in Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness. Bill is also a Burgess of Guild of City of Aberdeen, a former Board member of Albyn School and served with the Parachute Regiment from 1982 - 1989.

Christine Jones
Issues Manager
TOTAL E&P UK

Christine began life as a geologist/geophysicist and worked in many parts of the world before settling in Scotland. She was awarded an OBE in 2000 for services to the oil and gas industry. She is Chairman of the Scottish Institute of Sustainable Technology and has spent many years on the Board of the Franco Scottish Business Club.

Ken is currently Head of Strategic Relations with VisitScotland, having spent the last two years as Regional Director for Aberdeen City and Shire. In addition to being on the Chamber Council, he is also a member of the SCDI North East Area Committee and the regional board for the charity Crimestoppers.

John has been a Chamber Council member for over 20 years – He is a partner in the long established Charles Michie Retail Pharmacy Group, Chairman of :- IFB - Internet For Business ltd.; ACCA – Aberdeen City Centre Association ; BiD – Aberdeen’s Business Improvement District and a Board member of ACSEF.

Gregor Rae, is a strategist with over 20 years experience in corporate and product positioning, marketing and communications. He has worked extensively in sectors such as energy, food, finance, engineering, transport, retail and education in the UK, Scandinavia and North America.

David Rennie
Managing Partner
Stronachs

David Rennie has over 30 years experience in corporate and commercial law. He deals primarily with corporate acquisitions/  disposals, equity investments and banking. David is mentioned in the 2010 edition of the Legal 500 where he is praised for his business acumen.

Peter Sharp
Partner
McGrigors

Peter is one of five partners leading McGrigors' 45 strong national team of specialist employment lawyers.

He has a keen interest in the Arts and serves on the Business Advisory Group of Arts & Business Scotland as well as the Chamber Council.

Gordon Shepherd
Director
Ark Occupational Health

Gordon is a medical doctor and director of Ark Occupational Health, the proud 2010 winners of the Northern Star Business Award for RGU Student Placement. He enjoys the interaction with other members of Council and the role it and the Chamber has in making Aberdeen a better place to do business.

Simpson Buglass
Partner
Graham & Sibbald

Simpson is a chartered surveyor and partner in property consultant Graham & Sibbald. As well as his role on the Council, he chairs the Employment Land Audit working group, is a member of ACSEF Energetica Steering Group and a member of the RICS Dispute Resolution Panel.

Iain Gabriel
Director of Transportation & Infrastructure
Aberdeenshire Council

Iain was appointed a Director with Aberdeenshire Council in 1995 and is responsible for Transportation, Roads & Landscape Services, Property & Facilities Management and Economic Development. He currently chairs the Chief Officers Management Team of the City and Shire Economic Future.

John Low
Managing Director
Stewart Milne Group Ltd

John is Managing Director of Stewart Milne Homes North, board member and past Chairman for Homes for Scotland, an advisor to AFC’s Youth Academy, chairman of the Grampian Housebuilding Committee, member of the National Housebuilder and Consumer Code steering groups and a member of the Planning and Modernisation Group.

Tim Smith
Vice President Communications & External Affairs
BP Plc

Tim graduated as a Geology and Mining Engineering and now has over 25 years oil and gas industry experience. In 2009, he was appointed Vice President Communications and External Affairs for BP’s North Sea business across the UK and Norway.

Colin Crosby
Consultant
Brewin Dolphin

President

Colin was elected Chamber President in 2009. He is a consultant for Brewin Dolphin; a board member of the Aberdeen Harbour Board; chairs the board of Robert Gordon's College and is an appointed member on the board of ACSEF. Colin was awarded an OBE in 1994 for his services to housing.

Fred Dalgarno

Dean of Guild

Fred is Dean of Guild for the City of Aberdeen. A lawyer and accountant by profession, he is mainly involved in property development and was appointed recently as chairman of Sport Aberdeen.

Laura Petrie

Aberdeen Businesswomen's Network

Laura is an observer on the council, attending in her capacity as ex-officio president of Aberdeen Businesswomen's Network. The network's membership is comprised of women who either run their own businesses or work for local businesses. Issues raised at council meetings are of particular relevance and interest.

Mike Salter

Past President

Mike was the immediate past president of AGCC and current Chairman of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce. He is semi-retired and holds a number of non-executive directorships with ASCO, Ferguson Modular, Redspider technologies and ATR Group.