Our staff team
Head Office
David Brackenridge
he/him
CEO
David started as a volunteer and then a trustee at Venture Scotland before the opportunity came to turn his hobby into his job! He ensures the smooth running of VS while focusing on making sure staff, volunteers, young people, resources and funding all come together in the same place at the same time. David is a keen rock climber and mountaineer.
07495 836 248
Anda Griveteanu
she/her
Finance & Administration Manager
Anda is our Finance and Administration Manager and has been with the team since 2015, she is a bright and approachable individual who has several years of professional experience working within busy office environments in the service industry. At VS she deals with all the administrative functions including finance, facilities management, HR and IT.
07956 158 281
Tricia Edington
she/her
Fundraising Manager
Tricia joined Venture Scotland as a fundraiser in August 2018. She previously worked in the Corporate Communications department at a Scottish-based co-operative and managed their community engagement and charity of the year partnerships. She is a city lass who is learning to love the outdoors in all weathers so Venture Scotland is a great fit!
07843 342 695
Katie Bruce
she/her
Corporate Fundraiser
Katie joined the team in May 2023. She’s worked in Fundraising for almost a decade and is passionate about working with businesses and communities to help young people. In her spare time, Katie really enjoys walking with her partner and their dog Lily, and any others who want to join in. She likes the endorphins after a run, so is working to build that into a more regular habit and is constantly reading or listening to an audiobook.
07572 797 890
Fern Urquhart
she/her
Volunteer Coordinator
Fern joined the team in October 2021 as our Volunteer Coordinator. Brought up in the Highlands of Scotland, Fern has always loved the outdoors – whether it be camping, a day in the hills, swimming in the sea or jumping into a cold loch! She is a huge advocate of personal development and is passionate about helping others thrive, make positive changes and discover their full potential.
07376 934 818
Edinburgh Delivery Team
BETH PORTER
she/her
Outdoor Programme Leader
Beth joined the team in August 2023. She has a passion for using outdoor adventurous activities as a tool to create a spark that changes people’s lives to help them recognise their potential through their outdoor adventurous journeys.
She will be often found in the hills, on the water or by some crags and when she’s not out exploring the local areas, she is found pottering in the garden or baking cakes!
07398 188 767
Louisa Selwood
she/her
Outreach & Support Worker
Louisa joined the team in August 2023. Lousia has worked with young people in various roles and organisations since graduating in 2016. She enjoys helping people realise their potential by giving them confidence to believe in their abilities and strengths. She loves living in Edinburgh and having access to the great Scottish outdoors, often going camping, hiking and paddleboarding in her spare time. She also loves food and sharing her cooking in the company of friends and family!
07535 164 285
Glasgow Delivery Team
James Poole
he/him
Team Leader
James joined the VS team in October 2022. He is passionate about supporting people to make positive change. He believes we are all more capable than we know and wants to help people unlock as much of this as possible.
Whilst spending time in the mountains climbing, scrambling and kayaking are all important to James, so are tea and biscuits.
Recently James has started running again and he is keen to explore more of Scotland’s trails.
07572 797 884
Solvejg Stutz
she/her
Outdoor Programme Leader
Solvejg became part of the VS team in September 2023. Joining the Scouts when she was very young and seeing the benefit for the young people, Solvejg decided to move to Scotland and study Adventure Education as she strongly believes in the positive effect adventurous outdoor activities can have on people’s lives.
She loves wild swimming, sea kayaking, foraging and weeks-long hiking trips in remote places. Solvejg can often be found with some celery as it’s her favorite hiking snack or up in a tree.
07376 988 185
Kat Jackson
she/her
Outreach & Support Worker
After volunteering and seeing the Venture Scotland Journey in action, Kat joined the team in July 2022. She is excited to support participants’ time with VS from start to finish – from introducing young people and referrers to Venture Scotland, supporting participants throughout their Journey, to helping them plan what comes next!
Often found in the hills or in some water, she loves spending time in Scotland’s outdoors and is passionate about the benefits of being outside.
07496 494 697