Perth & Kinross

Business Gateway Tayside is your gateway to free, expert, local assistance and advice.

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Meet the Team

Our team brings extensive experience, practical resources and 1:1 advice to help you at every stage of your business journey—from starting up to scaling for growth. Whether you’re researching your idea and target market, building and enhancing your online presence, hiring employees, or looking to improve your social media skills, our support is here to help you achieve your goals.

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  • Rachel Key

    Rachel Key

    Start-Up Adviser

    Rachel works with new and aspiring entrepreneurs to help turn their ideas into thriving businesses. With a BDes (Hons) in Textile Design and a strong background in management and entrepreneurship, she brings a creative and practical perspective to business start-up support. Rachel understands the excitement, and the challenges, that come with starting something new. She takes a supportive, down-to-earth approach, helping clients build solid foundations, develop their business plans, and take confident first steps on their entrepreneurial journey.

  • Jenna Woods

    Jenna Woods

    Start-Up Adviser

    Jenna supports new and early-stage entrepreneurs in the Perth area, helping them turn their ideas into viable, sustainable businesses. With a degree in Business Management and a strong background in leadership and management training, particularly in the construction sector, she brings practical insight and a hands-on approach to business start-up support. Jenna understands the challenges of getting a new venture off the ground and works closely with clients to explore opportunities, build confidence, and lay the foundations for long-term success.
  • George Ellis

    George Ellis

    Start-Up Team Leader

    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.
  • Andrew Webster

    Andrew Webster

    Growth Adviser

    Based in our Perth office, Andrew supports businesses across Perth and Kinross with a focus on high-growth potential. He first joined Business Gateway in 1997 and, after time with the Council’s Economic Development Team, returned in 2013. A fully accredited business adviser with qualifications in marketing, Andrew brings decades of experience helping businesses at every stage—from start-up to scale-up—achieve their ambitions.

  • Emma Kilani

    Emma Kilani

    Growth Team Leader

    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.
  • Michelle Maddox

    Michelle Maddox

    Outreach Business Adviser

    Michelle works directly with businesses and communities across Perth & Kinross, offering hands-on support and expert advice where it’s needed most. With a strong background in the food and drink sector and award-winning entrepreneurial experience, she brings practical insight and a passion for helping others succeed. Whether visiting local enterprises or connecting with community groups, Michelle is committed to supporting business growth and innovation.
  • Sarah Young

    Sarah Young

    Outreach Team Leader

    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.
  • Daniel McCabe

    Daniel McCabe

    Outreach Adviser

    As an Outreach Business Adviser based in Dundee and Perth, Daniel works across Tayside to engage with communities and support entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses. With previous experience in digital strategy and execution, he brings a wealth of knowledge in marketing and a friendly, hands-on approach to helping local businesses thrive.
  • Aileen McGowan

    Aileen McGowan

    HR Business Adviser

    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.
  • Aly Beresford

    Aly Beresford

    Business Administrator

    Aly brings warmth and positivity to our Perth office. With a degree in Outdoor Education and Adventure Recreation, she’s no stranger to navigating dynamic environments—a skill that’s served her well in her career in office administration. Aly has supported teams across a range of sectors, including fostering, finance, and mental health and wellbeing. Her adaptable nature and calm, can-do attitude make her a key part of the Business Gateway team, helping to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
  • Michelle Shepherd

    Michelle Shepherd

    Contracts Manager

    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.

Want to speak to the team?

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

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We are available for walk-ins Monday - Friday 

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Upcoming events in Perth & Kinross

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Business Support Drop In Session - Letham 4 All

Friday, February 20th

09:00 - 12:00 In Person Perth & Kinross

Your Guide To Business Growth

Thursday, February 26th

18:00 - 20:00 In Person Perth & Kinross

Getting to grips with Canva and Advertising

Friday, February 27th

09:30 - 16:00 In Person Perth & Kinross

Hear from the businesses we're supporting

Strong start for Perth digital printmaker

A Perth-based fine art printing business has flourished since its launch, thanks to support from Business Gateway. Discover their growth journey and the impact of local business assistance.

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