Argyll & Bute

We are here to support businesses based in Argyll and Bute. We offer free and impartial advice to anyone wanting to start up or develop their business.

View our offices Call us: 01546 604 555

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Meet the Team

Our team are committed to helping businesses in Argyll and Bute to flourish. We have an experienced team of professional and approachable business advisers, support officers and a network of expert contractors, available to provide the right support for your business.

Lyndsey Phillips
Business Adviser
Lyndsey has over 30 years of experience working with SMEs and large organisations in the Private, Public and Third Sector, across a range of industry sectors. She has also run her own successful businesses, winning awards along the way. Lyndsey has a BA Hons, with focus in Business Strategy and Social Psychology and is a qualified Food and Dairy Technologist, Coach and Trainer. She is a past President of the Association of Scottish Businesswomen.
Donald Melville
Business Adviser
Donald joined the team in 2013 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise where he was a Development Manager for the Strengthening Communities Team. Prior to that, Donald provided support to Business Start-ups and was previously recognised as Business Advisor of the Year for the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust. He has qualifications in Business Counselling, Business and Enterprise Support and also Premier Adviser.
Jen Smith
Business Adviser
Jen has been a Business Gateway adviser for over 20 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 and a passion for food and customer service. She has an HND in Hotel Keeping and Catering, a BA (Hons) in Service Sector Management and an MPhil in Social Science Research. Jen has been a Visiting Lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University in Economics and Enterprise, has a Diploma in Business Advice and Counselling and is Premier Adviser accredited.
John MacDonald
Business Adviser
John joined the team in 2023 after working in consulting and investment management for 25 years advising a wide variety of businesses, large and small, as well as setting up two businesses himself. With a PhD in Physics, an excellent understanding of the financial underpinnings of business and particular experience with private equity, including venture capital and growth equity, John is well placed to help Business Gateway's small business clients to set up, grow and potentially move on to the next level.
Sam Ford
Business Support Officer
Sam has been with the team since June 2009. Sam has a varied background having studied Fashion and Textiles, Business Administration and Digital Marketing and worked 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 has also run a couple of her own part time businesses over the years as a nail technician, Zumba Instructor and property rental, she has also dabbled in the MLM industry with a couple of different companies.
Katie Rafferty
Business Support Officer
Katie joined the team in 2023 after being part of Economic Development and Business Gateway in another region for nearly 10 years. She has a BA in Marketing and has been a Business Adviser in the Young Enterprise programme. Katie has a background in hospitality after running her family hotel in Kintyre and has a passion for social media.

Whatever stage you are at, you can meet with one of our experienced local business advisers, by phone or video call, to discuss your business.

As well as years of experience in helping businesses, all have also either run their own business or spent time in the commercial world.

Our advisers can offer support on a wide range of topics, from improving profitability and sustainability, understanding legal and regulatory requirements, to getting a new business off the ground, exploring options for businesses in difficulty, or funding for growth.

They can also signpost you to other relevant services, make referrals, share useful contacts and help you navigate the wider business support landscape.

To request an appointment with an adviser call 01546 604555 or click here.

We recognise that sometimes a quick discussion with an expert is needed for a specific question or issue. We can arrange a 1 hour surgery by phone or video with one of our subject specialists, at no cost to you.

The range of expert help topics includes;

HR - recruiting and developing people, becoming an employer, legislation, redundancy
Digital - content management tools, website building, development and review, online trading, social media platforms, SEO, content creation, cyber security, infrastructure and communication equipment, choosing and briefing contractors
Marketing - planning, competitor and market analysis, customer profiling, branding and brand development, reviewing and improving activity
PR - planning and delivering PR, writing content, managing negative PR
Tendering & Supply Chains - understanding and preparing for the tender process, creating tender documents, improving bids, managing supply chains, expenditure analysis, sourcing suppliers, contracts and agreements, added value and community benefits
Finance and funding - financial analysis, financial planning, identifying funding gaps and funding sources, profit analysis, debt management, tax obligations
Internationalisation - preparing for export, choosing markets, identifying opportunities, international sales online, finding agents, distributors and suppliers, legislative requirements, importing

To request an expert help surgery call 01546 604555 or click here.

Looking for financial support for your business? Our knowledge of the funding landscape means we can work with you to identify which funds you qualify for and help you prepare an application.

As well as signposting a variety of funding schemes delivered via other organisations, we can talk you through the funding available from the Council.

To enquire about funding for your business call 01546 604555 or click here.

Navigating the wider business support landscape can be complicated. We use our understanding of what other organisations offer to help you access the right local and national support for you.

We work closely with the enterprise agencies and can refer you on for support where relevant. Our local knowledge can help you make useful connections quickly, to organisations or other businesses.

A wide range of guides, covering market and sector information, business rules and regulations, industry snapshots, area profiles and market research are available from our local team.

We also have access to an extensive portfolio of editable documents and contract templates, helping you create the terms and conditions, contracts, policies, procedures and risk assessment forms for your business.

Contact us to request a guide, template, market research or pro-forma.

Want to speak to the team?

We offer local advice, webinars, events, networking and much more. So get in touch with us today.

Complete our contact form

Our postal address

Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmory
Lochgilphead
PA31 8RT

Please note this address is for postal enquiries only.

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Find your nearest office

Contact Us

Our advisers will be delighted to set up an appointment via our phone number or contact form.

Our address is for postal enquiries only.

Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmory
Lochgilphead
PA31 8RT

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Contact Us

Our advisers will be delighted to set up an appointment via our phone number or contact form.

Our address is for postal enquiries only.

Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmory
Lochgilphead
PA31 8RT

View on Google Maps

Argyll & Bute

Meet the Team

Lyndsey Phillips

Donald Melville

Jen Smith

John MacDonald

Sam Ford