Aberdeenshire

Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire is your gateway to free expert local assistance and advice.

Meet the Team

Your local Business Gateway Adviser can offer 1:1 advice over phone/video call and via email. We have a wealth of experience, resources and webinars to teach you everything from starting up to growing your business. We also host events for you to grow your network. On a local basis, there are further, more in depth services, free to you and designed to assist you in everything from establishing and improving your web presence, taking on employees, or developing your sales skills, as outlined below.

Sarah
Senior Business Administrator
Sarah joined the Business Gateway team in April 2019 and holds a degree in Business Studies from Robert Gordon University. With over 20 years of management experience in retail, Sarah has worked for a number of household brand names including House of Fraser and Debenhams. She has also worked in financial roles and through the years, has developed exceptional customer service skills. Sarah works for Business Gateway part-time and is passionate about helping local businesses. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her two girls.
Donna
Community Business Adviser
Donna joined the Start Up team in October 2020 after working in property services for more than 13 years. Most recently she has become our Community Business Adviser, bringing Business Gateway services directly into local communities across the City Centre and Aberdeenshire area. As a real people person, Donna creates an exciting experience for new business owners and feels a great sense of achievement when she helps her clients through the start up process. She loves being part of our team, always showcasing her contagious positive attitude.
Gillian
Start Up Team Leader and Business Adviser
Gillian has worked for Business Gateway since 1993 – she became a Business Adviser in 2007 and has been the Start Up Team Leader since 2011. Gillian and her husband have an online retail business which they started in 2003 and therefore she is proficient in eCommerce and also the business planning process. Gill enjoys cheering her clients on and helping them map a path to get from where they are now to where they want to be.
Cameron
Start Up Business Adviser
With an impressive academic background, our newest adviser Cameron joined us in the Autumn of 2022. He holds a master’s degree in Energy Management and a bachelor’s degree in Management. Cameron is looking forward to interacting with clients and learning how to support them on their business journey. Based in Aberdeen, his main hobby outside of work is playing football.
Evelina
Start Up Business Adviser
Evelina joined the Start Up team in September 2022, after returning from a summer in Greece – leading a retreat centre there. Evelina’s background is in Law, and she later studied for a master’s degree in International Business Management. Evelina loves that the role has allowed her to meet many different entrepreneurs. She is “constantly amazed how talent-rich Northeast Scotland is.” She enjoys helping her clients develop and grow their businesses and being part of a dynamic ecosystem. Outside of work, Evelina likes being outdoors, when possible, cycling, and working out at the CrossFit gym.
Steliana
Start Up Business Adviser
Steliana joined the Business Gateway team in April 2017, initially helping with evening workshops, while studying Events Management. She then became our full-time Business Development Coordinator and has now transitioned to a Start Up Business Adviser role. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, she has worked in hospitality, and had her own hairdressing business. She enjoys delivering classes and organising networking events, plus helping clients achieve their dreams and start their businesses. Outside of work, she winds down by reading non-fiction and thriller novels, as well as exploring nature via walks and rollerblading.
Catherine
Growth Start Up Business Adviser
Catherine joined the team in January 2017 after working for Clydesdale Bank for over 30 years, where she dealt with a wide range of businesses and varying customers’ needs. Catherine really enjoys working with her clients and helping them to achieve their goals and ambitions through delivering the Business Gateway support. She feels proud to be able to give her clients the right tools and advice to help them succeed.
Keith
Growth Start Up Business Adviser
Keith joined the Growth Start Up Team in 2022, after predominantly working in retail, specifically as a Store Manager for nine years. With a background in customer service, he enjoys meeting clients and helping them move their businesses forward. Keith has previously launched a dog walking business and is also a keen photographer, having another small business selling prints and photobooks online. He also enjoys football, rugby and reading when not walking his dog, Ruby.
Lynn
Growth Start Up Business Adviser
Lynn joined the team in September 2021, after a varied career working throughout Aberdeen. Having worked in Finance for 16 years, in Business Development for 5 years and 2 years in Travel and Tourism - she has a wealth of knowledge perfect for advising our new business owners across many sectors. Lynn is passionate about our local businesses and supporting the local economy to see it thrive even further. She enjoys working closely with clients to help start up and grow their businesses, helping them realise their potential and to exceed their ambitions. When not working, Lynn enjoys long walks with her dog and travelling.
Sean
Growth Start Up Business Adviser
In June 2022, Sean joined the Business Gateway team, as a Start Up Adviser. Since then, he has been promoted to the Growth Start Up team. Sean has been involved in businesses for the last 10 years, starting his first business, Aberdeen Bubble Football, just aged 17. From turning a profit, and then selling it at the age of 19, Sean showed keen entrepreneurial skills which he has continued to pursue. He still runs businesses now, mainly focussed on the e-commerce space, and has worked alongside the likes of Gymshark, Virgin Active and much more. Outside of work, Sean enjoys travelling and keeping fit.
John
Growth Team Leader and Business Adviser
John joined the Business Gateway team in 2019 as a Growth Adviser and has since been promoted to Growth Team Leader in 2021. John runs his own business which assists with strategy, insights, coaching, mentoring, research and development and more. With a 25 year global career in the energy and technology sectors, John brings a wealth of different skills and experience to his role. John has a solid track record of supporting companies to identify, refine, test and deliver products and services to market(s). He really enjoys supporting his clients and watching them grow and flourish. Contact: john.macgillivray@bgateway.com
Gordon
Growth Business Adviser
Gordon owned a sports retail shop in the centre of Aberdeen and successfully built this over 25 years. He then moved into the golf world and recreated a golf program for children and autistic children to inspire them to take up golf. Working in business development and generating revenue, he also took on and managed digital platforms across a range of marketing and creative interaction for the club. Since joining the team in early 2022, Gordon has proven to be very engaging with clients and likes working with the diverse range of people and businesses, as part of his role at Business Gateway. Outside of work, Gordon likes to go away with the family. Being a very active person, he enjoys surfing, paddleboarding, snowboarding, golfing, and riding motorbikes – just to name a few!

There are many ways we can support your start-up journey.

Our Business Support Tool is a great place to begin. It takes just 10 minutes to complete and provides you with an instant toolkit with key resources & information. We'll then connect you with a member of the team at our local office for further support.

Our website offers a business plan guide and template to download when you’re ready, market reports and research, as well as handy online guides, articles and video tutorials. Plus, we have a great range of webinars to hone your start-up skills – from writing a business plan to marketing on a budget.

With our help, you could be in business sooner than you imagined.

Our resources and one-to-one support can help you strengthen your business.

Whether you’re looking to take on premises or learn more about digital marketing, we can help you take the next step. Get started by taking 10 minutes to complete our Business Support tool and get a personalised dashboard of online resources and webinars.

We can also offer 1-1 advice at a time that works for you. Together, you and your business adviser can create a strategic action plan to help you achieve your goals.

Our online resources and webinars can help you learn new skills, create opportunities and gain confidence. From HR to restructuring, innovation and digital marketing - we can help. And if specialist input is required, we can connect you to other sources of support.

Business support where and when you need it most.

Our Community Business Adviser, Donna, supports local communities in Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire. Donna’s role was created to forge connections within the local business community and be the gateway to our free business support services available.

The place-based support can be provided through 1-2-1 meetings, mini workshops, and specialised networking events on local premises.

Donna regularly visits Stonehaven, Aboyne, Huntly in Aberdeenshire and Torry, Tillydrone, Northfield in the City Centre.

Contact us to organise an appointment with Donna.

At Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire we believe in providing you with the advice and support that you need in order to develop your business to its fullest potential.

If required, Business Gateway’s growth clients may access additional time from local experts in order to develop business strategies in particular areas of business specialisms. Contact us to find out more.