Who we are

Allan was born in Glasgow’s Govanhill area and has many links with his home city. Allan is the Chairperson of the Big Cran CIC Board.

Allan was based in Glasgow as the former Head of Higher and Further Education for Unison, before moving on as MSP during which time he was a member of the Cabinet in the Scottish Executive in a range of policy areas including as Minister for Tourism, Culture, Sport and Planning, Minister for Environment and Rural Development and as Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.  

Allan has since established an economic development consultancy firm which has given him experience in numerous successful regeneration projects - particularly in the fields of renewable energy and retail, hospitality and housing development.
 

Allan is also a Director of the Radio City Association a multi-million-pound heritage restoration project and ongoing community anchor charity who are currently developing renewable energy projects in the Garnock Valley, including a community owned and operated wind turbine and a community owned hydro scheme both of which projects will re-invest millions of pounds in revenues from the electricity generated back into the local community to create new employment and training opportunities for local people and help address severe health inequalities in the area.

James' family origins are in Anderston, however, he grew up in Glasgow's south side in the Polmadie area. James has owned and operated businesses in Glasgow in a number of sectors, including in the tourism and hospitality sector as a  hotelier and restaurateur with both Carnbooth House and The Ivory Hotel.

James also has experience within the renewable energy sector through Ethx Energy a leading supplier of renewable heat technology. James was winner of Carbon Trust's 'Low Carbon Building of the Year' award in 2009 for the refurbishment of his Carnbooth House Hotel, the first private sector winner of that particular award.
 

James believes in social enterprise as a vehicle for regeneration and beneficial community outcomes and is a Charity Trustee of the Greater Pollok Enterprise Trust (GPET) who operate several social enterprises in Glasgow including Pollok Credit Union enabling local people and the community to progress by facilitating childcare, financing new opportunities and assisting people break away from sub-standard lenders in the Pollok area. 

Jacqui is a talented construction professional having studied Architecture at Glasgow School of Art as well as being an experienced project manager who has worked in the consulting and construction sector for over twenty years.

Jacqui has a proven track record in project delivery and management both in the UK and in Asia. She has worked on a multitude of large-scale commercial, public sector and corporate based projects 

Accomplished in her field, Jacqui is currently a Director with Arcadis, a global architectural practice, based in Glasgow city centre. She brings wide experience and knowledge of all aspects of project development and management to the Board. Jacqui’s previous experience includes serving as Project Manager of the successful development of the Kelpies and The Helix in Falkirk and as Project Leader of Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow.

 Neil was born in the Govan area of Glasgow, a short distance from the crane and resides within west end of the city.

Over the past 35 years, Neil has developed a reputation as a renowned and respected economist internationally. Considered a leader in his field, Neil is a Senior Expert Advisor with the European Union as well as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris and the Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Centre in Trento, Northern Italy. He is also Head of Social Enterprise with Turning Point Scotland based in Govan.

Neil has previously held senior positions within Scottish Enterprise as Head of Appraisal and Evaluation and as Head of Strategy and Policy with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce as well as roles with the UK National Audit Office and Head of Project Appraisal and Training with OffPAT in London. 

Neil has expertise in community and economic development with extensive experience in monitoring and evaluating social impact and economic development impacts at business, community and economy level. Neil has advised around the world on economics, including the Scottish Parliament and various international high level round tables in a plethora of European countries including Greece, Italy, Ukraine and the Baltic and Balkan states as well as around the world in countries ranging from Bermuda to South Korea and the Office of then President of the United States Barack Obama. 

Alistair is former Head of Planning, Building Control and Development and Regeneration Services for Glasgow City Council during which time he was involved in a variety of projects within the city. 

Alistair was Chair of The Heads of Planning Scotland 2011-12 and was Convenor of the Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland in 2013. 

Alistair is also Chair of the Glasgow City Heritage Trust, an independent charity supported by Glasgow City Council and Historic Environment Scotland to champion the city’s unique architecture and built environment and to promote and encourage the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Glasgow’s historic buildings for the benefit of the city’s communities and its visitors.

Alistair is a visiting Professor at the School of Architecture and Urban Design, University of Strathclyde and a Director of the Glasgow Humane Society the oldest continuing lifeboat service in the world dedicated to preserving life on the River Clyde.