Dumfries & Galloway

Business Gateway Dumfries and Galloway is your gateway to expert local assistance and advice. Whatever stage your business is at, our online support, local advisers, webinars and events are here to help with any business situation.

View our offices Call us: 01387 265 355

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Meet the Team

Our team is proud to support businesses across Dumfries & Galloway, a rural region full of producers, creatives, hospitality and tourism enterprises, as well as the many self-employed and microbusinesses that help our local economy thrive. We understand the day-to-day realities of starting and running a business here, from seasonality and rural logistics to the opportunities that come from strong local identity and community.

Whether you are developing a brand-new idea, getting ready to start a business or looking to grow an existing one, we are here to help. From researching your market and strengthening your digital skills to improving your online presence or taking on staff, we offer clear and practical guidance so you can make real progress.

Amanda
Business Adviser
Amanda joined the D&G Business Gateway team as a Business Adviser in Oct 2020, having previously worked as a Business Adviser with the Growth Accelerator Programme (GAP) team. She brings with her several years’ experience working in the Employability & Skills Service as a Development Officer and as a Fair Work Officer, and worked within HR for around 7 years as a HR Change Management Assistant. Prior to working in the public sector, Amanda has experience working in retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and service sectors. She had a degree in Information Management and completed a top up module in Business Venturing.
Gary
Business Adviser
Gary has worked in and around the employability and business support field within the public sector for 7 years, where he was involved in supporting the development and delivery of European funded programmes in recruitment, skills and training and has also supported growth accelerator business support projects within the local authority. Gary is an avid supporter of fair work and sustainable inclusive growth and has experience in the following areas: progressive workplace policies which improve productivity and innovation; opportunities for employee development, skills development and lifelong learning; best practice in industrial relations to encourage constructive dialogue in a range of different sectors and workplaces.
Fiona
Business Adviser
Fiona Smyth joined the Business Adviser team in July 2024. Having built her own successful company from the kitchen table, she brings 20 years of hands-on experience and knowledge in all aspects of setting up and running an entrepreneurial business. Passionate about the environment and the Dumfries and Galloway region, she is eager to support others in turning their business ideas into reality.
John King
Business Gateway Team Leader
John joined Business Gateway in 2016 and now leads the Dumfries & Galloway team, providing direction to the advisory service and ensuring local businesses receive practical, high‑quality support. With a diverse background spanning large corporates, including well‑known consumer brands such as T-Mobile and Black and Decker, alongside experience in a successful local SME and running his own business, John brings a broad and hands‑on perspective to business growth. He has extensive experience across sales, marketing and product development, and specialises in the food, drink and tourism sectors.

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.

If you’re an entrepreneur between the ages of 18 and 30, our local team can support you with starting your new venture or helping your existing business reach its next goal. We have strong links with national support agencies for young entrepreneurs and can help you with business planning, marketing, accessing finance, training and more. We can also connect you with specialist support and opportunities to network with your peers so you can build confidence and useful contacts as you grow. Whatever stage you're at, we’ll help you find the tools and guidance you need to keep moving forward.

Contact us.

Dumfries & Galloway has a strong network of organisations that support social enterprises of all sizes, from long-established community groups to small, early-stage ventures. We have good connections with these local partners and can signpost guidance, specialist advisers and opportunities for your organisation. And with our workshops and webinars covering practical skills and key business topics, you’ll always have accessible support to turn to for general business advice. Check out Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway and Firstport

Hiring your first employee can be a daunting next step but you don’t have to figure it out alone. We can take you through the key considerations and help you think about what you’ll need as an employer as you prepare to bring someone into your team. We can also signpost you to organisations like Skills Development Scotland for information on apprenticeships and team development advice, DG Works for employability help and Developing the Young Workforce for youth recruitment options. In addition, we can highlight useful HR resources, online webinars and fair work guidance to help you take those next steps confidently.

Being self-employed can be rewarding, but it can also feel stressful when your health starts to get in the way of your work. If you’re dealing with pain, burnout, stress or health issues that make working difficult, Working Health Services Scotland can help. This NHS service supports self-employed people who are struggling with injury, physical ill health, stress, anxiety or depression. The service is free, confidential and designed to help you stay well and keep working.

Whether you are moving into a commercial unit for the first time or need a new space to fit your growing business, securing the right premises can feel daunting, especially in a rural region with lots of different locations and property types to consider. Our team can talk through what you might need to think about before taking the leap and signpost you to property listings and partners who can support your search.

Contact us to find out more.

Your local Business Gateway office can offer free signposting support to any business considering making redundancies. We understand that while no one sets out to be in this position, sometimes things simply don’t go as planned, and difficult decisions need to be made. Our team can help you look at the challenges you’re facing and support you in deciding the next practical steps. We can also introduce you to PACE – Partnership Action for Continuing Employment – so you and your staff can access the right help at the right time.