01546 604555
business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Kate Fraser
Senior Development Officer
Kate has a background in managing marketing teams for large companies in the financial services and telecoms sectors, including Orange and the Automobile Association. Originally from Hertfordshire, Kate moved to Argyll in 2005 and spent three years helping young people in the area to start up and continue in business, before joining the Business Gateway team.
Sam Ford
Business Support Officer
Sam has a varied background having studied Fashion and Textiles and Business Administration before moving on to work in a variety of different positions from PA for a design company to the buyer for a construction company. Sam moved back to Argyll in 2002 to join the Highlands and Islands Enterprise team, where her roles included managing the Business Start-up Programme and as a Development Manager working with businesses and social enterprises in the area. Sam also ran her own nail technician business for a couple of years.
Angela Vernel
Business Adviser
Angela has a background in business investment, having worked for many years for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. She has also been involved in the property sector and most recently worked to establish a tourism business abroad. Angela holds a BA in Accountancy and an MSc in Economic Development.
Donald Melville
Business Adviser
Donald joined the team from Highlands and Islands Enterprise where he was a Development Manager for the Strengthening Communities Team and prior to that provided support to Business Start-ups. In 2000 Donald was recognised as Business Advisor of the Year for the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust. He holds a Level 4 SVQ in Business Counselling.
Jen Smith
Business Adviser
Jen has been a Business Gateway adviser for over 15 years. Having set up and operated small businesses including picture framing; craft manufacturing; cookery classes and several business consultancies, Jen understands the skills that business owners have to quickly learn to grow the business.
Jen has a background in catering, an HND in Hotel Keeping and Catering, and a passion for food and customer service; she can identify with a large cross-section of business owners.
Jen has a BA (Hons) in Service Sector Management and an MPhil in Social Science Research and has been a Visiting Lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University in Economics and Enterprise. She is Premier Adviser-accredited with a Diploma in Business Advice and Counselling.