Meet the Team

Adrian Watson

Adrian spent 30 years in the police service, the last seven as Commander for Aberdeen City. He had a varied career in the service, which included lengthy spells in criminal investigation and Intelligence. He was also seconded to government and other agencies, both nationally and abroad. Towards the end of his service he led the policing organisation in the north-east of Scotland through the transition from a regional entity to Police Scotland.

In July 2016, Adrian was appointed CEO at Aberdeen Inspired, the city centre Business Improvement District (BID). In this role, he has led on significant events in the City, including the globally acclaimed Nuart (Aberdeen) Street Art Festival and introduced the first Evening & Night-time Economy strategy of its kind in the UK. More recently, he has been instrumental in securing the return of the Tall Ships event to Aberdeen for 2025 and bringing the European Pipe Band Championships to the city in June of this year.

Adrian holds a BSc (Hons), MSc and an MBA from Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University.

He is a Director on Scotland’s Towns Partnerships (STP) and is also the National Chair for Scotland for the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM).

Brian Morrice

Brian has over 20 years experience in Management Accounting, Internal Audit and Financial Administration in the private, public and third sector both in the UK and abroad.

Brian is also a keen golfer and amateur astronomer.

Ross Grant

Ross has been with Aberdeen Inspired since 2013 having graduated from the University of Aberdeen with an MA in Politics and International Relations. Ross has held various roles within the organisation, initially as a street ambassador and project manager, and now as a senior project manager and has played an instrumental part in bringing the Painted Doors project and Nuart Aberdeen festival to the granite city as well as overseeing a wide range of other projects including ensuring the delivery of city centre way showing, earlier purple flag accreditations and creative lighting projects.

Shona Byrne

Shona joined the team in summer 2017 after nearly 6 years living and working in Pittsburgh, PA. With a post graduate qualification in marketing, she is an accomplished strategic thinker and has enjoyed a successful career in various roles spanning 30 years.

She has a passion for her home city and is proud to be part of the team that is committed to delivering positive transformation in the City Centre. Since joining the BID Shona has been responsible for the delivery of key projects; Aberdeen Gift Card, Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks and Christmas in Aberdeen and has supported the Chief Executive with strategic business and marketing planning. Outside of work she enjoys exploring Scotland’s great outdoors with her family and dog, traveling and food.

Kate Timperley

With an honours degree in Corporate Communication from RGU, Kate developed a love for events working at festivals and venues around the world including Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festival before taking on her first long-term position as Events Manager at Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling.

Following a move back to Aberdeen, Kate worked in positions such as Education Liaison Officer for RGU and Special Projects Executive at AECC, working on a number of educational events and large conferences.

A relocation to Canada with her husband in 2015 gave Kate the chance to work as Events Coordinator at Toronto International Film Festival. After returning to Aberdeen, Kate was delighted to join the Aberdeen Inspired team, developing events such as Aberdeen Comedy Festival and Nuart Aberdeen. Now working part time after the arrival of her little boy Innes in 2017, followed by his brother Jude in 2020, Kate is Project Manager for events such as Umbrella Project, Nuart Aberdeen and Tall Ships Aberdeen.