The Scottish Chambers of Commerce has strengthened its Board of Directors in a move to boost its fight for greater investment and support for Scotland’s businesses.
President, Stephen Leckie, said “At a critical time for business in Scotland, with huge budget pressures for both the UK and Scottish governments, it’s vital the voice of business is heard and actioned upon if we are to help drive the economy and create much needed jobs. We are building a great team to take our ambitions forward.”
The new Directors are:
1. Lindsay McGranaghan, Senior Vice President, CGI,
2. Chris Lynch, Trade & Supply Chain Finance Director, Santander Corporate Banking and Head of Commercial Trade Finance Origination,
3. Stuart Broster, Founder and Managing Director of SDPN,
4. Sarah Medcraf, CEO, Moray Chamber of Commerce and
5. Joanna Campbell, Principal and CEO of Dumfries and Galloway College
Current SCC director Doug Smith, a consultant with CBRE Scotland, steps up to become Vice-President. He said: “I’m delighted to be taking up the role of VP. With an increased focus from governments on the importance of delivering sustainable economic growth and the opportunities which exist to deliver that, right across Scotland, this is a key moment to ensure that Scottish businesses of all sizes, and across all sectors, are fully enabled to play a part in meeting that challenge.”
Lindsay McGranaghan, Senior Vice President, CGI said: “I’m honoured to join the board at such a pivotal time for businesses across Scotland. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital era, I look forward to working alongside my fellow directors to support the continued growth, innovation, and resilience of the Scottish business community.”
Chris Lynch, Trade & Supply Chain Finance Director, Santander Corporate Banking and Head of Commercial Trade Finance Origination said: “SCC is an influential and strong representative voice for business communities in Scotland, and I’m delighted to have been asked to join the Board. I’m looking forward to getting ‘stuck in’ to help shape and deliver SCC’s future strategic priorities. Bringing my banking and finance sector experience, especially supporting SMEs and corporates with their international trade growth aspirations, I hope to add value to the dynamic, energetic and ambitious SCC organisation.”
Stuart Broster, Founder/MD of SDPN said: “I am delighted to be joining the Board to make a difference and support the CEO and the team to make Scotland a great place to live, work and do business, ultimately to help drive the economy and infrastructure and keep the Scottish and UK Governments of the day, focused on what really matters to business.”
Sarah Medcraf, CEO of Moray Chamber of Commerce said “I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to the Board of SCC. It is also a proud moment personally as I celebrate 10 years with Moray Chamber of Commerce. It will enable me to contribute to the strategic direction of SCC, working alongside my esteemed colleagues driving forward initiatives that empower, support and help grow businesses across the country.”
Joanna Campbell, Principal and CEO of Dumfries and Galloway College, added: “I’m delighted to have been appointed to join the Board and look forward to contributing to the work of SCC, driving forward its mission at such an important time for the Scottish business community.”
Chris Lynch
Trade & Supply Chain Finance Director, Santander Corporate Banking & Head of Commercial Trade Finance Origination
Chris leads Santander’s Trade & Supply Chain Finance business in Scotland & Northern Ireland and is also responsible for the Commercial Trade & Supply Chain Finance Origination UK coverage team. Chris provides specialist support to SMEs, Mid-Size and Large Corporates with all aspects of international trade, risk mitigation and working capital. This specialist support covers Trade Finance, Supply Chain Finance, Asset Based Lending, Foreign Exchange, and International Payments. He has built up extensive corporate and commercial banking experience over the last 25+ years and he has held similar senior roles at Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Sarah Medcraf
Sarah Medcraf is Chief Executive & Director of Moray Chamber of Commerce. With a proven record in fostering economic growth over the last eight years, she’s a prominent figure in the region’s business community.
Sarah is chair of the Moray Economic Partnership and Moray’s Town Centres Task Force where she actively contributes the private sector view to shaping economic strategies and policies.
Her dynamic leadership and dedication to community progress, along with her keenness to collaborate, make her a driving force behind Moray’s prosperity.
Lindsay McGranaghan
Lindsay McGranaghan joined global IT and business consulting services firm CGI in 2012. Lindsay has spent her career working across a variety of public and private sector clients and in 2019 was appointed Senior Vice President and Business Unit Leader for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Within this role, Lindsay has overall responsibility for CGI’s public and private sector businesses in Scotland. For the past five years Lindsay has overseen CGI’s strategic work as the primary provider of end-to-end managed IT services for City of Edinburgh Council, Glasgow City Council and Scottish Borders Council, ensuring success for clients, shareholders and members by innovating and delivering transformational technology solutions.
Lindsay has overseen an expansion of CGI’s work in the energy sector, leveraging CGI’s unique capabilities and experience to drive successful business outcomes for a host of stakeholders especially in oil and gas. Lindsay has also played a central role in launching new academic partnerships between CGI and some of the nation’s leading universities, including Edinburgh Napier.
Lindsay continues to ensure CGI is committed to helping Scotland create a digital economy built on skilled work, by creating a talented digital workforce in Scotland’s communities. Since 2021, Lindsay has led CGI’s successful expansion into Northern Ireland, opening a new consulting centre in Belfast.
Stuart Broster
Stuart started his career in the hospitality sector with extensive expertise and experience in tourism and leisure. He has held many key leadership positions across the UK and globally, MD of LivingWell Health Clubs, CEO of LA Fitness, Regional Director Stakis Hotels, Operations Director MacDonald Hotels, President Hilton Canada, latterly the CEO of Anytime Fitness UK and Ireland. In addition, he has held a number of Board positions, notably Hilton PLC and has previously been a NED for two Companies. He is Chair of the Cairngorms Business Partners, and President of Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he is an advisor to NED on Board, Impact SPA and Leisure and Synergy Dance as well as a mentor for NAT West Bank accelerator programme supporting small and medium sized businesses.
He has set up two businesses of which he is a NED, REVPAS (a revenue management company that maximise profit sacrificing customer service and experience, and The Retreat Group a self-letting Company with difference “we sell the experience and then the stay”. We have three basic principles Owner’s return, Owners Sentiment, Customers experience.
Joanna Campbell
Joanna commenced her Tertiary Education career, spanning over 27 years, as a Lecturer in Computing before progressing into a number of senior management roles.
Joanna joined Dumfries & Galloway College as Principal in June 2019 from City of Glasgow College, where she held the post of Vice Principal Student Experience. Prior to working at City of Glasgow College, Joanna worked in senior roles at both Fife College and Forth Valley College.
Joanna is Vice Chair of the board of Colleges Scotland and a Trustee on the board of JISC.
