George Yule

President

Vice Chairman - Aberdeen Football Club

George was elected Chamber President in 2011 and is Vice Chairman of Aberdeen Football Club. He was formerly CEO of Dominion Gas where he led an MBO in 2007. George was recognised as the Grampian Industrialist of the Year in 2009 for his business leadership and entrepreneurial skills. His non-business activities include the Chairmanship of Aberdeen Sports Village.

Edel Harris

Vice President

Chief Executive - Cornerstone Community Care

Edel is Chief Executive of Cornerstone, a charitable organisation providing health and social care services to individuals with disabilities and other support needs. She also serves as a Director on the boards of Corners Turned Ltd, the Davie Cooper Centre and the Fragile X Society. Edel also sits on the Executive Group for the Scottish Social Services Learning Network, North.

Scott Taylor

Vice President

Director - Hall Morrice

Scott is director of Corporate Finance and Business Advisory services at Hall Morrice chartered accountants. As well as being responsible for development of new business for Corporate Finance and Business Advisory team, he also advises clients across the entire spectrum of corporate finance activity from MBO/I’s to corporate acquisitions, disposals and debt/equity fundraisings.

Peter Sharp

Partner - Pinsent Masons LLP

Peter is a Partner at international law firm Pinsent Masons, and has over 25 years' experience in employment law.  With expertise in industrial relations and collective employment problems, Peter is recognised as a leading employment law adviser to the offshore Oil & Gas industry. He advises major employers in relation to HR strategic planning and resourcing and has specialist knowledge in international jurisdictional employment issues.  In addition, Peter regularly coaches directors and managers in employment issues.

John Brebner

Area Director, North of Scotland - Clydesdale Bank

John joined the Chamber Board in 2010 as Non- Executive Director. He has worked for Clydesdale Bank for 28 years. In 2007 he was appointed Managing Partner of the Banks Financial Solution Centre (FSC) in Aberdeen. In 2010 he took up the role of Area Director North of Scotland responsible for the Banks 5 FSC's in the North as well as heading the Corporate BankingTeam based in Aberdeen.

Colin Crosby

Consultant

Brewin Dolphin

Past President

Colin was Chamber President from 2009 - 2011. 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.

Alec Carstairs

Senior Partner, Transactions - Oil and Gas

Ernst & Young LLP

Alec was a partner with Ernst & Young for 24 years with a focus on oil and gas transactions market and most recently was senior partner of the Aberdeen office. He retired from the firm in June 2012 but continues on a consultancy basis. During his period with EY, he was a member of the EMEIA Governance Council and held several positions including Head of Oil and Gas Transactions in UK and Head of Transactions for Scotland. Alec is also a Director of Vine Trust, a Scottish based charity providing care to abandoned and orphaned children in Peru and Tanzania and a basic health service to 100,000 people in Amazonia.

Angus MacCuish

Managing Director

F G Burnett

Angus is Managing Director of F G Burnett, Property Consultants with offices in Aberdeen and Glasgow. He has a broad range of expertise in all aspects of urban real estate who now specialises in the provision of advice from a development perspective to a wide range of clients in both the private and public sectors.

Douglas Craig

Chairman and Managing Director

Craig Group Ltd

Douglas is Chairman and Managing Director of Craig Group Ltd. He qualified as a CA with KPMG in 1975. A previous Grampian Industrialist of the Year and Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year, he was awarded an OBE in 2002 for his services to the oil and gas industry and awarded a doctorate from the University of Aberdeen in 2010.

Brian Pack

Managing Director

Farmdata Ltd

Brian is Chairman of the Rowett Research Institute and a member of Court and a Director of Aberdeen University. He is also Managing Director of Farmdata Ltd, an agricultural software company. Brian’s had a lifetime involvement in agriculture starting his career at the North of Scotland College of Agriculture (forerunner of SAC).

Carol Benzie

Operations Director - Aberdeen Airport Ltd

Carol is a qualified accountant heading up the operational functions at the airport, having formerly managed the financial and commercial teams. Prior to joining the airport, she worked for 6 years with local charity, Inspire. Carol also spent 10 years in the oil and gas industry, working with Schlumberger Oilphase, BP and Talisman via their Accenture contract.

Rob Wallen

Principal and Chief Executive Aberdeen College

Rob Wallen was born in London. He has degrees in English Literature Applied Linguistics as well as management qualifications. Before joining Aberdeen College in 1991, Rob worked in secondary, further and higher education in Egypt, China and England. Rob is a member of the Boards of ACSEF and Aberdeen Safer Communities Trust, and of the Scottish Qualifications Authority Qualifications Committee.

Trisha O’Reilly

Communications Director - Oil & Gas UK

Trisha O’Reilly joined the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) in 1998 as a founder member of the organisation’s communications team. When UKOOA re-launched as Oil and Gas UK in April she became Director of Communications. Trisha is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and is a Trustee of the Aberdeen Oil Industry Chaplaincy Trust.

Steve Cook

Chief Executive - Empire

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.

Alistair Green

Director of Business Development - Woodgroup PSN

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.

Kevin McCormick

Chairman - Citrus:mix

Kevin is chairman of Citrus:mix, 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.

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 - FG 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

Chairman and 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.

Alex Drummond

Senior Manager Commercial, Aberdeen - Lloyds Banking Group

Alex is Senior Manager Commercial, Aberdeen for Lloyds Banking Group. He leads a dedicated team of Relationship Managers and Relationship Directors managing a wide portfolio of Bank of Scotland & LloydsTSB SME customers. Alex is also a Director and Honorary Vice President of Forfar Day Care Centre.

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.

Belinda Miller

Head of Economic Development - Aberdeenshire Council

Belinda was appointed Head of Economic Development in January 2011. She is responsible for delivering the conditions for economic growth in line with the Council's economic strategy. Priorities include Energetica, the industry sectors of food and drink, energy and tourism along with providing support and advice to businesses, and town regeneration.

Shona Anderson

Regional Director Aberdeen City & Shire - VisitScotland

Currently the Regional Director for Aberdeen City and Shire, Shona spent 28 years working in the Tourism Industry spanning Hotels, Strategic Relations and Quality Assurance including consultancy in the UK and Europe. She is also a member of the SCDI North East Area Committee and on the ACSEF Management Team.

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.

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.

George Thom

Director - RBS Business Banking

George Thom is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland and has 34 years experience in the Banking industry.  He started his career in Fraserburgh and is currently Director Business Banking, Aberdeen City & Shire with The Royal Bank of Scotland. George leads a team of local Business Relationship Managers who serve RBS's SME customers - Start Up businesses and growing & established businesses typically with turnover levels up to £2m.

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.

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.

Valerie Watts

Chief Executive - Aberdeen City Council

Before taking up her post as chief executive with Aberdeen City Council in 2011, Valerie had over 25 years' public sector experience having worked in local government since 1989 and prior to that the health service in Northern Ireland from 1983. Before taking up her new Aberdeen post, Valerie was Town Clerk and Chief Executive of Derry City Council.

John Michie

Partner - Charles Michie Chemists

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.

Craig Stevenson

Centre Manager - Bon Accord & St Nicholas Shopping Centre

Craig is Centre Manager for Bon Accord & St Nicholas Shopping Centre having had extensive retail experience as Store Manager of Bhs, House of Fraser and latterly Debenhams, where he won the Scottish Retail Award for Store Manager of the Year 2010.

Deirdre Michie

Group Manager for Materials Enterprise Categories and Suppliers - Shell International Petroleum Company Limited

In 2011, Deirdre was appointed as General Manager for a global strategic sourcing role for Shell International, moving from the post of Contracting & Procurement Manager for Shell's European upstream business that she had held since 2007.

Having gained an Honours degree in Scots law, Deirdre began her commercial career with Shell as a marketing graduate trainee, in its downstream operations.

Derrick Murray

Director - Nestrans

Derick is a chartered civil engineer with a 32 year history in transport. Director of Nestrans, the regional transport partnership since 2007, he is currently involved in trying to secure the regions access to Heathrow, ensuring better rail services for the northeast both externally and locally and making a case for more Scottish Government investment in our road infrastructure. Derick is also a member of the ACSEF Management Team and of the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland Executive Committee.

Duncan Cameron

Operations Director - First Aberdeen Limited

Originally from Aberdeen, Duncan Cameron began his career at First as a graduate in 2001. Within 6 years he was promoted to Operations Director of First's bus business in Essex, becoming one of the company's youngest ever directors. He returned to Aberdeen in 2009 becoming First Aberdeen's Operations Director, a position he has held since then.

Jane Speirs

Chief Executive - Aberdeen Performing Arts

Jane Speirs takes up post as Chief Executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts in September 2012 and will be responsible for managing His Majesty's Theatre, The Music Hall and The Lemon Tree, all contributing to Aberdeen's vibrant cultural life, staging over 1000 performances and welcoming in the region of 500,000 visitors annually. Jane is currently Chief Executive of Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre.

Rachel Milne

General Manager - Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus/DAB Plus c.i.c

Rachel Milne is General Manager of the Social Enterprise DAB Plus c.i.c and associated Community Transport Charity; Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus.

Rachel is the current Chair of the Community Transport Association's Scottish Commitee and is a Board member of the Go Skills/People First Community Transport Industry Board.

Stephen Gow

General Manager - Thistle Aberdeen Altens

Stephen is General Manager of Thistle Aberdeen Altens.

Stephen Chair's the Aberdeen City & Shire Hotels Association which representsover 40 hotels in the region; he is a director of Visit Aberdeen and also involved in the Hospitality Industry Trust locally and sits on Aberdeen Airport working group.

Colin Crosby

Consultant - Brewin Dolphin

AGCC Past President

Colin was Chamber President from 2009 - 2011. 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.

Jill Harris

JCI President Aberdeen - Junior Chamber International

Jill is 2012 President of the of JCI (Junior Chamber International) Aberdeen, an organisation for people aged 18 to 40 which offers a wide range of opportunities ranging from personal and professional development and project management through to social events.  Jill is a chartered accountant by profession but now works as a financial analyst in the oil and gas sector.