The Sporting Chance Initiative Team
Project Manager - Alison Denny
Alison was previously Director of a Scottish outdoor youth development charity. She brings project management experience from public, private and not-for-profit sectors, and has worked with organisations focusing on development in sports and the outdoors. Ali has worked in a number of different countries and draws on skills gained both in the field and from her Masters degree in Applied Development Studies. She is committed to delivering high quality projects to a wide variety of stakeholders and has an in-depth knowledge of business development and logistics. Outside work, she enjoys exploring the Scottish countryside through hill walking, scrambling and canoeing.
Project Administrator - Jennifer McMillan
Jennifer joined the team in October 2011. Her role ensures the efficient day-to-day running of the project, supporting the team to manage awards, organise business meetings, update the website and run events. Jennifer is a competitive fencer and has represented Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Australia. She is also the Sport Development Co-ordinator for Student Fencing within Scottish Student Sport. Through this role she delivers multiple competitive and training events for students across Scotland each year. She has a passion for development and innovation in sport and event delivery.
Business Development Team
The Business Development Team aims to develop relationships with Scottish companies and support them to access expertise, research and facilities within Scottish Universities and Research Institutes. The team can also help to identify relevant procurement, licensing and technology opportunities.
Business Development Manager - Keith Elrick
Keith came to SCI from Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL) where he facilitated the development of business opportunities between inventors, businesses developing new products and the marketplace. He has successfully managed projects from early stage idea through to market launch. With an honours degree in Pure Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde, Keith has worked in chemical- and medical device-manufacturing companies. Keith is a keen football fan and has been an SAA-qualified dive leader.
Business Development Manager - Gemma Kearney
Since graduating from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in Business and Politics, Gemma has worked in a range of roles promoting enterprise and supporting business growth at Aberdeen Business School, the Irish Centre for Talented Youth (Dublin City University) and for Invest Northern Ireland in New York. She is currently researching entrepreneurship at the Robert Gordon University and hopes to defend her PhD thesis in 2012. As a former acrobatic gymnast, Gemma has competed regularly at national level and gained coaching awards in both gymnastics and trampolining. She enjoys canoeing, snowboarding and climbing.
Business Development Manager - Thea Ní Lionnáin
Thea has a BSc in Clinical Physiology from University College Cork and a Masters Degree in Applied Sports and Exercise Physiology from the University of Wales, Bangor. She has worked as a Physiologist for a therapeutic shoe company in Ireland and as a Kinesiologist in Canada for both a private clinic and a sporting/ orthopaedic footwear provider. Thea is an avid Gaelic football player/coach and has trained with Gaelic Teams in Ireland, Wales and Canada. She has also represented University College Cork and the North Shore Vancouver Foxes in soccer, and the University of Wales in Basketball.
Research and Communications Team
The Research and Communications Team aims to identify the opportunities that exist for Scottish companies to develop new products and services in sport, and to work with the Business Development team to communicate these opportunities to business and academia.
Communications Manager - Keri Eksteen
Keri graduated from the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Business Administration, specialising in Management and Communication Science. She has worked in a range of business and marketing roles, in both South Africa and Scotland, most recently with Edinburgh Research & Innovation and then Interface - The Knowledge Connection for Business. At SCI, Keri's role is to implement all marketing and communications activities for the project.
Client Development Manager - Wendy Inglis Humphrey
Wendy is a PhD-qualified scientist with experience from postdoctoral research in neuroscience, innovation support and business development. She has been a Programme Manager for the Medical Research Council and spent 9 years with NESTA where she worked directly with a range of innovative businesses and led on the initiation of many key projects. These included NESTA's Invention & Innovation Programme, Ideasmart and Starter for 6. Wendy has been working with SCI during Keri's maternity leave to realign strategic goals with a range of communications activities. She enjoys walking and cycling with her young family and has recently tried out kayaking for the first time.
Market Research Manager - Louise Tobin
Louise joined the Sporting Chance Initiative from Business Link Northwest. Her previous roles have involved researching new market opportunities, funding opportunities and legislation for SMEs wishing to develop their products in European markets. She holds a degree in Law from Leeds Metropolitan University as well as an MSc in European Politics from the University of Dundee. Louise provides strategic market research for the Sporting Chance Initiative, identifies specific opportunities for SMEs to develop new products and provides the team with sound evidence-based business information. Louise can often be found at the gym and she particularly enjoys cycling.