Aberdeen Inspired is supported by a board of experienced business leaders from a wide range of sectors, including retail, hospitality, media and property. Their combined expertise helps guide the Business Improvement District and support the continued success of Aberdeen city centre.
The Aberdeen Inspired Board Members
Dr Jeanette Forbes
Chair
Elaine Farquharson Black
Vice Chair
Amanda McCulloch
Board Director
Jason Stewart
Board Director
Derren McRae
Board Director
Dominique Dawson
Board Director
Duncan Cameron
Board Director
Gavin Paterson
Board Director
John Raine
Board Director
Ryan Manson
Board Director
Sarah Stewart
Board Director
Zoe Ogilvie
Board Director
Morven Mackenzie
Attendee
Franklin Martins
Board Director
Chris Foy
Attendee
David Jackson
Attendee
Vicky Staples
Attendee
Bob Keiller
Attendee
Dr Jeanette Forbes
Jeanette Forbes is CEO and founder of Aberdeen-based PCL Group, a global provider of managed IT and cyber security services. She later diversified into hospitality with award-winning wine bar Grape & Grain and, in 2025, opened Mediterranean restaurant.
She is also CEO of Blue Gentoo, developing innovative software to support safer, more efficient energy production. An advocate for STEM careers for women, Jeanette received an OBE in 2020 for services to technology, business and charity.
Jeanette serves as Chair of Aberdeen Inspired, is a Board Member of Lathallan School and supports several local charities.
Elaine Farquharson Black
Amanda McCulloch
Amanda McCulloch is Chief Executive at TMM Recruitment Ltd, a specialist recruitment agency in Aberdeen. She joined as a graduate in 1999 and over the next decade was intrinsic to the commercial success of the business as it transitioned from a niche accountancy agency to an award winning, multi-million-pound consultancy.
Amanda was promoted to Managing Director in 2009, a position she held for the next 10 years. Under her stewardship the business won the Scottish Recruitment Awards Small/Medium Agency of the Year and has grown to provide recruitment services across 10 professional disciplines, with a reputation for customer service excellence.
In 2021 Amanda launched TMM Executive, an executive search and fractional leader service focused on the appointment of finance, operations and non-executive directors at high growth, private equity backed and SME companies.
Amanda established the Finance & Accountancy Business (FAB) Awards in 2025, to celebrate the talent and achievements of professionals working in finance, accountancy and tax. She is the leading authority on financial resourcing in the northeast of Scotland and consults on remuneration benchmarking, market mapping and psychometric assessment. She is a board director of Aberdeen Inspired and retired director from the board of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Jason Stewart
Derren McRae
Dominique Dawson
Duncan Cameron
Gavin Paterson
John Raine
Ryan Manson
Sarah Stewart
Zoe Ogilvie
Morven Mackenzie
Franklin Martins
Chris Foy
VisitAberdeenshire's Chief Executive
David Jackson
Vicky Staples
Chief Inspector, Police Scotland