Dundee

Start-Up Adviser

Liam Rae

Liam joined the team in 2018, initially supporting the Growth Team across Tayside. Now, as a Start-Up Business Adviser, he plays a key role in guiding and mentoring young entrepreneurs. Liam offers expert advice and hands-on support to help new businesses get off the ground and grow with confidence. His approachable style and dedication have made him a trusted adviser for many start-ups navigating the early stages of their journey.

Start-Up Adviser

Kelly Scott

Kelly began her journey as an Outreach Adviser in Dundee and now focuses mainly on supporting start-ups and early-stage businesses across Tayside. She still plays a part in outreach work, bringing her approachable style and practical know-how to communities both in the city and more rural areas. Kelly is passionate about helping people turn their ideas into thriving ventures and making sure they have the support they need to succeed.

Start-Up Team Leader

George Ellis

Coming from a rural background, George understands the challenges many small businesses face. With a business degree from the University of Dundee and years of experience in the hospitality sector, he enjoys working with start-ups and seeing their journey from first steps to steady growth. Having worked closely with businesses to help them achieve their ambitions, George brings a practical, hands-on approach to his role. He’s been part of both the Perth and Angus teams, and now leads the Tayside Start-Up Team, sharing his varied experience to support new businesses across the region.

Growth Adviser

Stuart Milne

Stuart brings over 25 years of rich experience in the video games industry. While his main focus is helping clients grow their businesses, he also has a real passion for marketing. Through workshops and one-to-one sessions, Stuart has offered tailored advice to a wide range of businesses across Tayside—helping them sharpen their marketing strategies and boost their overall impact.

Growth Team Leader

Emma Kalani

Emma joined the Perth Business Gateway office in 2021 as a Start-Up Adviser, before moving into a Growth Adviser role in Dundee in 2023. She now supports the wider team as Growth Team Leader. With over 25 years of hands-on experience in starting, growing, and managing businesses—including her own—Emma truly understands the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. She’s passionate about helping business owners access the right support, tools, and advice to grow sustainably. Alongside working directly with clients, Emma also shares her knowledge and experience with the rest of the Growth Team, helping the team build on their strengths.

Outreach Team Leader

Sarah Young

Sarah leads our Outreach Team across Tayside, supporting advisers and working directly with communities to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. With six years of experience at Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, she brings deep knowledge of the local business landscape and a strong network of contacts. Sarah is passionate about connecting people with the right support, tools, and opportunities to help their ideas thrive.

HR Business Adviser

Aileen McGowan

Aileen brings over 33 years of experience across a range of industries, supporting businesses with everything from operational tasks and account management to all things HR. She’s especially passionate about helping companies navigate the challenges of building and managing their teams—whether it’s day-to-day support or long-term strategy. From recruitment to retirement, Aileen is there to offer practical advice and guidance every step of the way.

Contracts Manager

Michelle Shepherd

Michelle first joined our local office in 2005 as a receptionist and has grown with the team ever since. Over the years, she’s taken on roles as Team Leader and Deputy Contracts Manager, and now proudly leads as our Contracts Manager. Michelle heads up our amazing team of advisers across Tayside and is genuinely passionate about the work they do. She’s especially proud of the dedication and talent within the team, all focused on supporting local businesses to thrive.