GrowBiz Board
Our Board is made up of a team of volunteers who care passionately about local enterprises, communities and sustainable development. Find out more about each member by clicking their name below.
We are currently recruiting for the GrowBiz Board
We are looking for individuals who would like to get involved and support our work. If you are interested in joining GrowBiz as a board member please contact us.
Derek Sangster, Chair
The son of a sole trader from rural Aberdeenshire, Derek pursued a life long career in the international Oil and Gas industry, including positions in London, Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth and Singapore.
In 1996, he and his young family left their home in Scotland for ‘a two year assignment’ in the USA. 25 years later the family has returned to their native Scotland. Over this 25 years period Derek has held management positions in Accounting and Administration, Finance, Health and Safety, Management Systems and Human Resources. For the last 10 years of his career, Derek had executive responsibility for various national business development projects and international partnerships within the world’s largest offshore drilling company.
Having lived and worked in many different countries and understanding and interacting with many different nationalities, Derek is always surprised that while nations are very different around the world; at a family level, everyones wants the same things for the children and their broader family.
Joining the Board of GrowBiz in 2021 Derek will work tirelessly to help and guide the organization as it reaches out and supports the backbone of the Scottish economy: micro, small and medium sized companies; who have only become more important to Scotland during the challenges of recent years.
Sarah Brown
Solictor Sarah joined the board of GrowBiz in 2017.
She is a partner at Aberfeldy-based J&H Mitchell Solictors and Estate Agents having first joined the company in 2010 as a trainee solicitor and deals in a number of aspects of the law. Sarah is an integral part of the J&H Mitchell’s charities team and has built up a significant portfolio of charity clients and community organisations, providing advice, assistance and training to them on a wide range of topics.
As well as GrowBiz, Sarah is also a trustee of Birnam Arts and The Pettigrew Charitable Trust and describes herself as someone who thrives on helping others and providing the very highest level of service.
Andrew Pollard
Andrew specialises in helping organisations to shape, then implement, effective strategies. His experience includes start-up, scale-up and sale, as MD of a BioTech, founding a Wealth Management Company and being a Director in both FinTech and banking. He uses his knowledge and experience to help leaders achieve their most important goals through setting the right strategy and delivering real-world change.
When not delivering step change for clients, he can be found enjoying food and drink or exploring new places in his beloved campervan.
Emma Sedgwick
Founder of the purpose led, Rural Communications, Emma is a Rural Leader, Advocate for Regenerative Development and Mentor. With a legal background she is involved in regenerative development, communications, technology, digital connectivity, policy and strategy. She is also engaged in supporting the Circular Economy, achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and a Just Transition to Net-Zero. Emma is passionate about supporting the businesses and organisations which are contributing to the Scottish rural economy.