Speakers
Welcome
Vicki Steel
Chair, South of Scotland Destination Alliance
Vicki Steel is the Chair of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) Board and a passionate advocate for tourism and hospitality in the region. Along with her husband Rory she operates Aikwood Tower, a beautifully restored 16th-century Scottish Borders tower house, and The Cross Keys Inn, a historic village pub, Vicki is dedicated to delivering exceptional visitor experiences that celebrate the rich heritage and charm of the South of Scotland.
With a strong background in business and tourism, Vicki plays a key role in driving strategic initiatives that support sustainable growth for the region’s visitor economy. Her leadership at SSDA focuses on collaboration, innovation, and ensuring the South of Scotland thrives as a world-class destination.
Russel Griggs OBE
Chair, South of Scotland Enterprise
Russel chairs the Scottish Government’s independent Regulatory Review Group, who advise and work on better regulation in Scotland. He is a member of the Scottish Government’s Aquaculture Council, Chair of Scottish Mines Restoration Trust, is a board member and senior independent director on the oversight board for the Comptroller and Auditor General for the States of Jersey, and board member of the financial services company, Lenlyn Holdings Ltd.
He is honorary professor at the University of Glasgow, and was an associate professor at Boston University, and a member of the board of the Business School at Georgia Southern University. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2008 for services to Scottish industry.
David Hope-Jones OBE
CEO of The South of Scotland Destination Alliance
David took up the role of SSDA Chief Executive in January 2023, following almost 15 years as Chief Executive of the Scotland Malawi Partnership, where he was responsible for the strategic development of the national network, engagement with stakeholders and policy advisors, supporting member interests, and external partnership working. Before this he was Services Manager, then Youth and Schools Manager, for the British Red Cross.
He is based in the village of Midlem, near Selkirk, and is passionate about helping drive sustainable tourism across the South of Scotland.
A senior business leader and strategic development expert, David impressed the SSDA Board with his knowledge of the South of Scotland and its businesses and communities, as well as his passion for making a positive difference to the region in which he lives.
He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours list and has received commendations from the First Minister of Scotland amongst others as he began his role with the SSDA.
Cllr Euan Jardine
Leader of the Council, Scottish Borders Council
Councillor Euan Jardine is the Leader of Scottish Borders Council, representing the Galashiels and District Ward since 2017. With a background in business, retail, and community engagement, he is committed to driving positive change across the region.
Passionate about the Scottish Borders, Euan champions local economic growth, infrastructure, and wellbeing initiatives. His leadership focuses on strengthening communities, improving services, and ensuring the region thrives as a great place to live, work, and visit.
Euan's passion for sport is evident in both his personal and professional life. An avid runner and sports enthusiast, he has actively participated in local sporting events and initiatives. He has also contributed to sports media, including appearances on Radio Borders' sports shows.
Inspire visitors to come to the South of Scotland
Gráinne Cornally
Manager, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands - Fáilte Ireland
PgDip in Tourism Management & Destination Leadership
A tourism career spanning both private and public sector it began in commercial sales within the hotel industry, driving revenue growth, building strategic partnerships and enhancing guests' overall experience. A desire to support the development and evolution of the destination led to a strategic transition into Fáilte Ireland, working on the newest brand, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands.
I actively contribute to shaping the strategic direction and brand development of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, collaborating with stakeholders and industry to develop the destination in a sustainable manner, build the capability of the tourism businesses and elevate the destination to compete on a national and international stage.
Stuart Cordner
Managing Director - Cruise Loch Lomond LTD
Stuart Cordner is the co - owner and operator of Loch Lomond Cruises, offering visitors an unforgettable experience exploring the breathtaking landscapes and rich history of Loch Lomond. With a deep passion for Scotland’s natural beauty and heritage, Stuart provides expertly guided boat tours, sharing fascinating insights into the loch’s wildlife, historic landmarks, and cultural significance.
Recognising the vital role of the travel trade in attracting visitors to Scotland, Stuart actively collaborates with tour operators, travel agents, and destination marketing organisations to ensure Loch Lomond Cruises is accessible to both domestic and international travellers. His commitment to exceptional customer service, sustainable tourism, and strong industry partnerships has made Loch Lomond Cruises a must-visit experience, contributing to the region’s thriving visitor economy.
Keith Muir
Chair of the South of Scotland Dark Sky Network
With a career spanning horticulture, hospitality, and forestry, Keith Muir has dedicated his expertise to developing and managing Scotland’s natural landscapes. After travelling the world working in hospitality, he transitioned into forestry, eventually leading the management of Galloway Forest Park. His primary focus was increasing visitor numbers and establishing the park as a must-see destination and was instrumental in establishing Scotland’s first International Dark Sky Park in Galloway.
Now serving as Associate Director of Forestry and Property with David Robertson Rural, Keith continues his commitment to sustainable land management. As Chair of the newly established South of Scotland Dark Sky Network, he is dedicated to ensuring the region’s dark skies are protected, maintaining Galloway’s Dark Sky Park status, and raising awareness of the importance of Dark Skies.
Fiona McClelland
Business & Operations Manager - The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Develop the visitor experience with a focus on quality
Stuart Cassells
Global Head of Private Client Relationship Management for The Macallan & founder of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Passionate about growing Scottish brands internationally and promoting The Best in Scotland to a global audience, Stuart is best known as the creator and frontman of the world’s most famous bagpipe band, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Founding The Red Hot Chilli Pipers in 2002, Stuart became the first graduate with an honours degree in bagpipes from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the first bagpiper to win the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2005. His piping skills led to him being asked to record bagpipes for the film ‘Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire’.
After winning the BBC primetime TV talent show ‘When Will I Be Famous’, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers achieved the biggest selling album in Scotland in 2007, reaching platinum sales and taking their unique sound of ‘Bagrock to the Masses’ to the biggest venues and events across the world.
Stuart’s musical career was dramatically cut short when he developed the condition Focal Hand Dystonia which ultimately forced him in to retire from playing bagpipes in 2011 and find a new direction.
Stuart became one of the first students on the Saltire Fellowship, an experiential MBA programme delivered by a partnership between Entrepreneurial Scotland and Babson College in Boston to inspire Scottish entrepreneurs. This led to him entering the whisky industry when he joined The Famous Grouse Edrington in April 2013
As General Manager, Stuart was instrumental in the development of The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret Distillery which was awarded ‘ASVA Best Visitor Experience’ and ‘Icons of Whisky UK Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2015. Stuart was then named ‘Icons of Whisky Global Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year’ in 2016.
In February 2019, Stuart took over The Macallan Estate as General Manager and led a repositioning of The Macallan Estate as a luxury hospitality destination and incomparable experience for The Macallan’s highest value consumers in increased revenue significantly. This led to Stuart taking on the role of Global Head of Private Client Relationship Management for The Macallan.
In November 2022, Stuart suffered a serious stroke which severely impacted his speech and required open heart surgery. After a year of rebuilding, Stuart has made an excellent recovery and is now focused on inspiring others to THINK BIGGER in order to lead a happier and more impactful life.
Nikki Storrar
Ardross Farm Shop
Nikki, the eldest of the three daughters, came home to the farm for a few weeks back in 2006 and never left. She is in charge of the shop and does all the marketing for the business. An eco-warrior at heart she is passionate about making farming more sustainable for wildlife and future generations.
Ardross Farm Shop, is a family-run business dedicated to showcasing the best of Scottish produce. Passionate about sustainable farming and high-quality local food, Nikki has helped establish Ardross as a must-visit destination for food lovers, offering homegrown vegetables, locally sourced meats, and artisanal products.
With a strong commitment to supporting local suppliers and championing Scotland’s food and drink industry, Nikki works closely with farmers, producers, and the wider hospitality sector. Her dedication to sustainability, quality, and customer experience has made Ardross Farm Shop a shining example of Scotland’s thriving rural food scene.
Rich Rowe
Project Manager for Go Tweed Valley
Rich is the Project Manager for Go Tweed Valley, the public face of the Tweed Valley Tourism BID – one of three tourism-specific business improvement districts in Scotland. Having recently secured a strong mandate for a second term, Go Tweed Valley works with the area’s tourism businesses to realise an ambition for the Tweed Valley to become a world-class activity destination with a sustainable, year-round visitor offer that also brings richness to local communities.
Away from Go Tweed Valley, Rich is an experienced writer and editor, with a particular focus on the natural world. He works with a variety of conservation bodies, including the Scottish Wildlife Trust, John Muir Trust, National Trust for Scotland and Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
Dr John Sadler
Historian, author, and founder of John Sadler Time Bandits,
A distinguished historian, author, and founder of John Sadler Time Bandits, a renowned historical interpretation group bringing the past to life through immersive storytelling and reenactments. With expertise in military history, particularly the conflicts of the British Isles, John has written extensively on warfare, strategy, and historical events, publishing numerous books and academic works.
Passionate about making history accessible and engaging, John combines rigorous research with dynamic live interpretation, working with schools, museums, and heritage organisations. His dedication to historical education and experiential learning has made him a respected figure in the field, inspiring audiences to connect with the past in meaningful ways.
Act responsibly for the long term collective benefit
Russell Fraser
Managing Director - Loch Ness Hub & Travel and SCOTO Chair, Tourism Individual of the year 2024
Russell is an inspiring leader in community-led tourism and has served as the Managing Director of Loch Ness Hub & Travel since January 2021. Under his leadership, a former Visit Scotland Tourist Information Centre was transformed into an exemplary Community-Owned Visitor Information Centre and travel hub. The hub offers innovative services, including luggage transfers for long-distance trail walkers and unique experiences such as Highland Coo Tours.
In addition to his role at Loch Ness Hub & Travel, Russell is a founding Director of the Scottish Community Tourism Network (SCOTO). This organisation brings together community-led tourism initiatives from across Scotland to collaborate for the greater good of local people and communities.
Russell is also a Director at Visit Inverness Loch Ness, where he advocates for responsible and sustainable tourism. Over the past three decades, he has volunteered extensively in various community organisations within his hometown of Drumnadrochit and Glen Urquhart, reflecting his deep passion for the people and communities of Scotland.
His dedication and achievements were recognised at the National Thistle Awards, where Loch Ness Hub & Travel won for innovation in tourism. Additionally, Russell was honoured with the 2024 Tourism Individual of the Year Award, which he describes as one of the most humbling and proudest moments of his life.
Hazel Smith
All Roads Lead to Whithorn
Hazel Smith is a Chartered Architect and Chair of All Roads Lead to Whithorn, a Community Development Trust who have renovated a Victorian town hall and created a community hub, gym and flexible events space along with a new-build 18 bed ensuite bunkhouse which has been rated a 4 star hostel.
They have also restored a derelict Georgian former hotel in the historic town centre into affordable, energy efficient community housing and they extended the Whithorn Way with an additional 15km of paths for walkers and cyclists.
Hazel is also chair of Whithorn & District Resilience Group, is a partner in her husbands agricultural contracting business and Mum of three.'
Andrea Nicholas
CEO - Green Business UK Ltd
Co-founder of the Green Tourism Certification Programme during the past 27 years, Andrea has assisted in development of green networks and certification programmes throughout the UK, and in Europe, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada and Africa.
The Green Tourism Programme started in 1997 and has expanded to support businesses throughout the UK, Ireland, and internationally, with over 3,000 members benefitting from guidance, expert advice, and evidence of their improvement progress.
Alongside her leadership role, Andrea has conducted over 2,000 sustainability audits, led countless sustainability projects, and is a respected advocate for sustainability progress in the tourism industry.
Andrea is a member of the Tourism & Hospitality Leadership Group for Scotland, a Carbon Commissioner for Edinburgh and Chair of the Scottish Excellence Awards.
Jason Simpson
CEO - RAW Charging
As CEO of RAW Charging, Jason Simpson drives the company’s mission to deliver top-tier EV charging solutions for the leisure and hospitality sectors.
With a background in luxury travel, under Jason's leadership, RAW Charging has developed partnerships with prominent names such as Merlin Entertainments, National Trust, Exclusive Hotels and McArthurGlen designer outlets to provide seamless, sustainable charging experiences that elevate guest experience and satisfaction.
Support business to succeed
Sally Henry
Vice President of Business Development, Key Data
I have been in the Short Term Rental Industry for over 20 years and joined Key Data in November 2022 as Vice President of Business Development, building and leading a team to help internationalise and expand the business outside of the US.
Prior to Key Data I was Sales Director at Awaze UK for 19 years and have seen a huge amount of change and development in the industry, spanning two decades. At Awaze, I was responsible for partnerships and integrations with 500 brand partners, thousands of travel agents, affiliates and in the latter decade, the partnerships with the OTAs. This is an industry I love with a passion.
Frances Woodifield
Learning and Skills - Strategy and Development Manager Strategy
Frances Woodifield serves as the Learning & Skills Strategy Manager and CCLG Development Manager at South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), the economic and community development agency for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
In her role, Frances is instrumental in shaping and implementing strategies that enhance learning and skills development across the region, collaborating with educational institutions, businesses, and community groups to foster a skilled and adaptable workforce.
Her dedication to promoting inclusive and diverse talent pipelines is evident through her active participation in events such as the BCS Digital Skills Network Scotland, where she contributes to discussions on developing an adaptable digital workforce for economic recovery.
Cat Leaver
Director of Strategy and Competitive Intelligence, VisitScotland
An award-winning strategic leader with experience across the private and public sectors, Cat was appointed Director of Strategy and Competitive Intelligence in November 2024.
She had previously led departments across VisitScotland, ranging from user experience (UX) and front-end development to content, creative, PR, and global marketing campaigns.
Before joining the organisation, Cat was the inaugural Director of Brand Scotland, where she led a cross-agency initiative to enhance Scotland’s global profile.
She also spent more than seven years in the digital agency world, leading teams in London, Manchester, and Glasgow, and serving a diverse global client base.
Cat is an ambassador for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and has held non-executive board positions, as well as advisory board roles with City Nation Place and The Marketing Society of Scotland. She was also one of the leadership team who led TEDxGlasgow delivering major events to audiences of 2,500 and achieving over 10M views of their talks online.
Timmy Mallett
Artist, beloved TV presenter and avid cyclist
Timmy Mallett is probably best known for his role on the Wide Awake Club and its spin-off, Wacaday.
Nowadays, though, he is happiest getting out on his bicycle and touring around the country while stopping off to indulge his passion for painting.
"Exploring Dumfries and Galloway by bike has been an absolute joy – the stunning landscapes and warm, welcoming communities are truly inspiring. My journey here has fuelled my love for cycling and sparked new ideas for my artwork, capturing the vibrant spirit of this remarkable region. I’m also excited to visit Peebles to speak with South of Scotland tourism businesses about the importance of providing travellers with authentic local experiences and how storytelling is a powerful tool to attract visitors."
"It's not how fast you can go or how far - it's how much fun you have along the way and who you meet. And there's a warm welcome in southern Scotland that is just joyous. It embraces you and it says: 'Stay a while - have another macaroni pie'."
