Who's Who

Damon has over 25 years experience of brand development, marketing and communications across a range of sectors as well as experience of economic regeneration and events.

He was part of the management team that launched Scottish Enterprise's flagship economic regeneration project, Loch Lomond Shores, now one of Scotland's most visited destinations and was also responsible for the successful relaunches of both the Everyman Liverpool and Tron Theatre in Glasgow.

Alongside other interests he has run his own marketing, web and brand development businesses for the past 10 years working with a wide range of clients from a university and college to retailers, a local authority, dental practices and UK-wide golf driving ranges and adventure golf.

Having previously been introduced to the chamber network during his time at Renfrewshire Chamber Damon is delighted to be taking Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce into its next phase of development as CEO. He has a passion for supporting new and existing businesses to help them thrive through their association with the chamber and via the access to the range of benefits the chamber can offer.

Damon's interests include Hillwalking, Cycling and generally keeping fit and he enjoy listening to music, reading and cooking (sometimes all at the same time :-). He also enjoys stand-up comedy (watching - not performing!) and set up one of Liverpool's most successful comedy clubs, Rawhide.

Damon lives with his wife (Alison), daughter (Georgia) and miniature Schnauzer in Kilbarchan.

Connect with Damon:
www.linkedin.com/in/damonscott1
www.twitter.com/DamonScott1550 

Stewart Rennie is the President of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce.

He is a local lawyer, having started his own firm, Rennie McInnes with my wife Aileen in 2010. They have an office in Douglas House Milngavie and Stewart deals mainly in corporate and commercial work with a particular emphasis on helping owner-managed businesses. Prior to that Stewart worked in various legal firms in Glasgow City Centre for over 20 years, latterly as a Corporate Partner in a large multi-national firm.

Stewart enjoys the challenge of running my own small business, each day can throw up its own issues, from selling a client’s business for £3M to fixing the photocopier when it has broken down (again). It is also far easier now to empathise with clients who will face similar problems. 

Stewart is a local lad, having attended Bearden Academy (the old one) back in the 1980’s. He also lives in Bearsden and his two children now go to the new(ish) Bearsden Academy which has facilities he could only have dreamed of.

"I joined the Chamber on starting up the business in 2010 and found it very friendly and welcoming. It has been very useful, not only as a source of business but also as a source of advice and inspiration. Running your own business can be problematic and it can be useful just to chat with people who have been in a similar situation and to pick their brains for solutions."

Away from work Stewart plays golf at Douglas Park and hockey for Hillhead Hockey Club. He also enjoys (if that is the correct word) watching Partick Thistle.

Connect with Stewart on LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/stewartrennie

Sharon Colvan joined the board of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce as Director with a focus on Developing the Young Workforce and Women in Business.

As well as being a Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Philip is the Sales Manager with European Circuits Limited. ECL manufacture and assemble Printed Circuit Boards in Clydebank for a wide range of industries throughout the UK and Europe. As a company, ECL have been a Chamber Member since 2009 and Philip has been on the Board since 2015. His role within the Chamber is mainly focussed on membership and social media (and would encourage all businesses to follow the Chamber on the various social media platforms). Philip is also a Board Member for Developing the Young Workforce (West Region) on behalf of both ECL and Dunbartonshire Chamber.

Philip comments “I really enjoy the Chamber Networking Events which are great way to meet other businesspeople in the area for a wide and varied range of industries.”

Prior to working at European Circuits, Philip was a Business Development Manager for Labelgraphics, a privately owned self-adhesive label company in Clydebank.

Outside of work, Philip is a season ticket holder for Glasgow Warriors and enjoys travelling, dining out, good movies and reading autobiographies. He lives in Drumchapel with his wife Elaine who is a secondary school teacher.

Connect with Philip via LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/philbriscoe

Nick Allan is an experienced and respected Chartered Surveyor and the owner of Nick Allan and Associates Ltd, a strategic asset management and business consultancy. Nick is also the founder and Director of Community Empowerment Scotland Ltd, a social enterprise company providing a wide range of professional advice to community-led projects throughout Scotland.

During his career, he has been both involved and influential in Scottish Government policy-making, and is very passionate about the potential for community empowerment to act as a catalyst for economic regeneration.

In his spare time he is a member of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) which was formed to deal with determinations of rent or repair issues within the private rented housing sector.

Nick joined Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce as a Director in 2013, and has been a Board Member at West College Scotland since 2015.

In his leisure time, Nick is a keen golfer, cricketer and classic car enthusiast.

Connect with Nick via LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/nick-allan-frics-0205364b

Erik has 40 years of previous experience at Director/Managing Director level within the built environment, specialist sub-contracting and manufacturing including winning, negotiating and delivery of large contracts.

Mary Ann Smith is a High Performance Coach who works with Business people and Entrepreneurs to build and scale purpose driven, high profit businesses. She helps them realise their full potential by developing an unbreakable belief in who they are, what they value and what they can achieve and have the freedom and choice to realise their dreams in extraordinary ways.

Through high performance coaching and team and leadership development strategies, I help people to discover their true potential in life and business. To have a business that thrives, excites them and is filled with passion and purpose. To have a life balance where they can realise their dreams.

I spent over 20 years helping individuals, business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs and their teams to discover their purpose and reach their full potential. Having worked with 100's of people and founding my own purpose driven companies, I know what works. I understand the challenges, the barriers, the impact on life that being in business or in a high performing role/team can bring.

Connect with Mary Ann on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-achieve-associates/about/

Jason is Head of Business Development for Columbus UK, a Managed Service Provider, offering a range of solutions from voice, data, mobile and IT services ideal for any type and size of organisation including charities, NGO’s, private and public sector.

Originally from Leeds, Jason returned to his Glasgow roots and has helped build Columbus UK into a thriving business with clients across the UK but with a firm footing locally across Dunbartonsuire and the Greater Glasgow areas.

He is part of the pool of "Chamber Experts" that provide free help and advice to other members and is a great supporter of the Chamber's Building Bridges Skills Development Programme.

He will lead the Chamber's digital development strategy and implementation to continue to build a modern, agile, efficient and sustainable organisation.

Jason lives just outside of Bearsden with his partner and two lovely daughters. He loves the Highlands and Islands and has a passion for the outdoors and fitness; kayaking, biking, paddle boarding and especially snowboarding.

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn