DSL BUSINESS FINANCE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors
Derek has a career of over 35 years in financial services and latterly within professional practices. His career commenced in retail banking during which time his focus moved to process re-engineering where he was responsible for delivering significant change programmes in the organisation. Since that time the majority of his career has been within Internal Audit where he has worked internationally and held senior leadership positions for many years now.
He has provided formal mentoring, normally to senior or executive managers from across the sectors, since 2010 initially as part of the Scottish Mentoring Partnership. He also previously supported the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust as an Aftercare Advisor where his interest in social enterprise and particularly the support for small business began.
His key areas of experience and interest focus on governance and internal control and he brings experience from a multitude of differing organisations both large and small in the financial services sector.
Derek is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors and is currently the Chair of the Institute's Scottish Committee. He also has prior qualifications from the Institute of Management Services and the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Company Secretary
Fiona trained at Glasgow College of Technology as a PA and has 29 years' PA experience, having worked across a range of industries. She has been Company Secretary of the CEIS group since 2015 and is responsible for ensuring compliance with Companies House and OSCR returns, as well as assisting the group's Boards with governance best practice. Fiona has worked for the CEIS group since 2012.
Away from work, Fiona is Chair of her local primary school parent council and enjoys spending time with her children.
Iain is a highly experienced finance professional with extensive knowledge and skills in the Scottish SME marketplace. Prior to joining DSL Iain's career was predominantly with the Royal Bank of Scotland, where he had a very successful 37 years undertaking various roles from branch banking through to a number of senior management positions, most recently in Business and Commercial Banking.
On leaving RBS, Iain went on to experience life in the entrepreneurial space working as CEO of an Aviation Group on a consultancy basis, gaining valuable insight into the challenges and appreciating how fulfilling the achievements can be when running a business.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland and a graduate of Common Purpose, Iain is a keen rugby follower (playing days, regrettably long gone), enjoys golf, eating out and socialising.
Job Titles:
- Business Banking Manager
- Loans Management Officer
Julie is an experienced Business Banking Manager with 26 years of experience with Clydesdale Bank who joined DSL in 2021. After taking some time out from the world of finance Julie worked as an Additional Supports Needs Assistant in a Primary School and as an Administrator in her local Church. In her spare time, Julie is a Brownie Guider who enjoys taking her Brownies away on Pack Holidays. She loves traveling to new places and enjoys spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Director
- MARKETING CONSULTANT
Job Titles:
- Director
- Owner and Director of LMW Consulting
Lesley has 30 years' experience including business development, consultancy, programme/project management and training across:
Marketing Strategy, including Digital and Social Media, SEO (PPC) and e-commerce
Business Development and Sales Process
Business start-up and Development advice to SMEs
Lesley has worked in 5 start-up businesses as an investor/director, owner and employee as well working in 2 family owned businesses.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Director
Linda is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years experience across multi-national corporations, AIM listed businesses and owner managed companies. Sectors include software, consultancy and manufacturing and Linda has significant M&A experience. A strong commercial focus working at Board level with all functions across the business combined with a finger on the pulse of financial control has helped the businesses Linda has worked in grow, acquire as well as list or sell whilst maintaining strong cash flows in support of this.
Mujeeb has worked for DSL in different roles since 2005. He first joined DSL as Operational Development Manager. He then remained in contact with DSL as a management consultant for a few years. In 2014, he once again joined as a Project Manager. His main role is to manage the ESF/ERDF funded projects, including the Scottish Microfinance Project, providing mentoring support to the fund's clients, development of loan management system and DSL website, and liaise with the marketing and PR.
He has an MBA (Marketing Management) and MSc (Econ) in Social Policy and Planning from London School of Economics. He has over 18 years of experience of working in the voluntary sector on issues surrounding social policy, project management, business development, European Structural Funds and microfinance. He has worked in the commercial sector for over 10 years, mostly as a management consultant.
In his private time, he is an active board member of Govanhill Housing Association, Glasgow. He enjoys playing table tennis and cricket.
Murray joined the team in December 2016 and is the dedicated loan officer for the Highlands & Islands and Moray. He joined DSL from Royal Bank of Scotland after 32 years and having been based in the Highlands for some time has witnessed the growth of new business across the region and is keen to meet new businesses and offer support to those struggling to secure finance.
As a teenager, Murray had aspirations of becoming a professional singer and his claim to fame is singing on stage with Lesley Garrett and Alfie Boe.
Oonagh has more than 30 years' experience in economic development and public policy.
Educated in Urban Studies and Town Planning at Sheffield University, she began her career in London where she developed a strong interest in the impact of policy and development on local communities. Oonagh moved to Scotland in 1992, and spent 15 years in local government before joining the Scottish Government in 2007. She held several posts in the Civil Service including leading divisions with policy responsibility for City Deals, business engagement, apprenticeships and skills.
Oonagh left the Civil Service in 2020 and now, in addition to her non-executive roles, delivers coaching, mentoring and facilitation across a number of sectors and volunteers with Children's Hearing Scotland.
Joining DSL in August 2019 Paul brings over 16 years banking experience having worked for 2 of the larger mainstream banks in both Corporate and Business Banking. His most recent role as a Relationship Manager was almost entirely office based and he is relishing the opportunity to network as well as meeting clients face to face ; something that he will have plenty of opportunity to do at DSL. Paul has a wide knowledge of different businesses and is passionate about providing a platform for those wishing to start or grow a business in Scotland.
In his spare time, Paul is a keen cinema goer and can often be found taking in the latest blockbuster with a bucket of popcorn in hand.
Job Titles:
- Loan Officer
- Loan Officer for the North East
Rekha Welsh is the dedicated loan officer for the North East, Aberdeen and Dundee. She was appointed in December 2016 by DSL after 15 years with Royal Bank of Scotland.
Rekha is on hand to to ensure business owners receive the best possible support with the application process and business plans, whether this be for start-up or growth.
Sandra has worked with DSL Business Finance for over 20 years and her wealth of experience across all aspects of the business is invaluable. As well as assessing loan applications, she is also responsible for the management of a number of loan funds administered by DSL on behalf of others.
She holds an HNC in Business Administration & participated in the UK Steel Enterprise Investment Appraisal course as well as completing ongoing training relative to maintenance of DSL's CCA licence with the FCA.
Sheila has worked with DSL Business Finance since October 2016. Following 30 years as a Primary Teacher and some time working for SQA, she decided on a complete change of career. She is now usually the first point of contact for enquiries to DSL and deals with all administrative requirements for the office.
Away from work, Sheila is a Rainbow Guider, a Girl guiding Scotland Trainer of Adult Leaders, an Elder in her church and President of her local YMCA. She also enjoys travel, singing, baking and quizzing.
Stuart is a former senior banker with well over 30 years' experience at all levels of mainstream banking. He trained with Clydesdale Bank undertaking various roles in Branches and Head Office before ending his time with Clydesdale as Manager of a High Value portfolio of Commercial Clients. On moving to Bank of Scotland, latterly LBG, Stuart carried our several managerial and executive management roles. His specialism is the SME segment of the market (95% of Scottish business) and in his role as Executive Director at DSL he is able to continue to apply his expertise and enthusiasm for this segment of the market.