After leaving school aged 16, Gary has gone on to start a number of businesses and is by any definition, a ‘serial entrepreneur’. Gary has invested in, operated and developed businesses as diverse as transport training, financial services software, electronic manufacturing and business consultancy in addition to managing an investment syndicate. Gary visited Buckingham Palace in July 2005 when HM The Queen conferred ‘The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion’. A professional business adviser and experienced non executive director, Gary was described by Professor John Parker from ‘The Academy of Leadership and Management’ as ‘one of the best business advisers….in the world’. Since November 2008, Gary has been operating as Chief Executive of Elevator (formerly Enterprise North East Trust), based in Aberdeen. Elevator delivers ‘Business Gateway’ in Aberdeen City & Shire in addition to Tayside. Every year, Elevator assists more than 2000 new business to start and existing businesses to grow. The organisation operates a large portfolio of 18 serviced business centres from Fraserburgh down to Perth containing over 300 businesses. In addition, Elevator develops and funds community projects which support the development of entrepreneurship and enterprise amongst the young and the community as a whole. Gary is very clear about his passion for business. He is deeply involved in the promotion of entrepreneurship to young people as a credible and viable career option. He regularly speaks to students of all ages, as well as young offenders and those with addiction problems. He believes in young people and supports their development as a key part of his professional life. Gary is a regular contributor to the media and is an energising and motivational public speaker. In addition Gary is also Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Dundee.