FEATURE | AUGUST 2017
New board and policy
Joining the Policy Council are: Bob Keiller, director, AB15 Ltd John Brebner, president
FOLLOWING our AGM, the Chamber would like to welcome our new president, as well as board and policy council members.
President John Brebner takes over the helm of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce following the end of Edel Harris’ two year tenure. Previously vice-president, John is director of Brebner Consulting Ltd, focused on providing business advisory services targeting a mix of direct board appointments as well as project based advisory work. Prior to this he enjoyed a 34 year career with Clydesdale Bank, undertaking various senior roles, latterly as head of the regional business and private banking centre for east Scotland and regional head of specialist and acquisition finance for the north of Scotland.
Nat Anderson, senior marketing & communications manager, Opportunity North East (ONE)
Nat’s career in communications began in journalism, latterly as a news reporter with the Press and Journal. He moved into public relations in 2001 and has held senior consultancy and in-house roles in the public and private sectors in Aberdeen, Inverness and London.
Dr Maggie Bochel, director, Aurora Planning
Joining the Board are:
Formerly head of planning and sustainable development at Aberdeen City Council and director of planning with Burness Paull, Maggie is a graduate of Robert Gordon University, member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and former chair of Heads of Planning Scotland.
Dr Deborah O’Neil, chief executive and scientific
Rita Brown, editor, DC Thomson
officer, NovaBiotics Ltd
A biotechnologist with two decades of experience in the field of anti-infectives research and drug development, Deborah is editor of the European Biopharmaceutical Review and International Pharmaceutical Technology, a member of the Scottish Life Science Industry Leadership Group and sits on the Advisory Board of the Scottish Life Sciences Association.
Derren McRae, managing director, CBRE Ltd Derren joined commercial property advisers CBRE in July 2009 and was appointed MD of the Aberdeen office in 2012. Educated at University of Aberdeen, Derren is also a director of Aberdeen Inspired. 42
Bob was appointed chairman of Scottish Enterprise in January 2016. Previously CEO of Wood Group, he was responsible for the creation of PSN and subsequent $1 billion sale of the company to Wood Group in 2011. Bob is the former chairman of the Offshore Contracting Association, co-chair of Oil and Gas UK and former chairman of the Entrepreneurial Exchange.
Rita is an award-winning journalist and editor. Originally from California, she moved to Aberdeen to work at an evening paper before progressing to a senior reporter and later content editor. Rita worked in PR before joining Energy Voice as editor in March 2014.
John Davidson, vice principal for curriculum and quality, NESCOL
With 20 years’ experience in further education, John provides strategic leadership and corporate planning for all curriculum functions across the region. During the last seven years he has built relationships at both local and national level including universities, schools, Skills Development Scotland and industry partners.