Our Board of Trustees
Evelyn Simpson
Chair
Evelyn is an experienced NXD, executive coach and mentor who became a Venture Scotland Trustee in 2016. She works with business leaders on strategy and leadership, chairs Neatebox, and is a board member of Investing Women Angels. A former investment banker, Evelyn has lived and worked around the world in banking, as an entrepreneur and in voluntary organisations. Evelyn has a BA in Economics and Law from Edinburgh University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Charles Ross-Stewart
Secretary
Charles joined Venture Scotland as Company Secretary in July 2021. Charles is a retired solicitor with over 30 years of experience working in the financial services industry in legal and compliance risk management roles. Charles is married with two grown-up children. He returned to live in Edinburgh in 2019 after retiring from his working career in London. Charles enjoys cycling, hill walking, skiing and spending as much time as possible in the outdoors.
Frances Mullan
Treasurer
Frances joined as treasurer in November 2020 bringing 20 years of experience in the finance industry and knowledge gained from six years as treasurer with Borders Youth Theatre. She is actually returning to Venture Scotland having been one of the early volunteers when the organisation started 30 years ago. Originally from Northern Ireland, Frances is now based in Edinburgh with her family and equally happy tramping up Arthur’s Seat with her dogs or curled up with a good book.
Ailsa Falconer
Ailsa is a long-term supporter and previous volunteer with Venture Scotland. She’s experienced in project management, branding & communications and stakeholder management, having held a variety of positions in the private and public sectors. She is passionate about volunteering, personal development and health and well-being. She is a touch rugby fanatic and when she isn’t either playing or refereeing, she can be found walking on beaches and in the hills with friends and their dogs, or out and about in Edinburgh.
Jennifer Peebles
Jennifer has been a FE college lecturer in the east end of Glasgow for almost 18 years, working with a range of young people with differing backgrounds, needs and abilities. During this time, she has had extensive experience volunteering with MCR Pathways as a mentor, supporting young people to realise their full potential. She is relatively new to volunteering with VS, however, fully appreciates the transformative impact that VS can have on developing resilience, and confidence, and enhancing mental and physical well-being. The outdoors plays a significant role in Jennifer’s life, with interests in tennis, skiing and hillwalking, including being an enthusiastic Munro ‘bagger’.