What brought you to Edinburgh Napier?
“After completing my undergraduate degree, I dived straight into work. I tried a couple of different career paths but still felt quite lost and unsure about what to do. To tackle this, I considered a postgraduate degree and attended an open day at Edinburgh Napier. The atmosphere at the event was so positive and supportive that I ended up enrolling on the MSc International Events & Festival Management programme!”
Tell us more about your career at Edinburgh Science Worldwide.
“After graduating in 2011, I took up a production internship position at Edinburgh Science, an educational charity best known for organising one of the world’s largest science festivals. Edinburgh Science is a small to medium sized organisation and in this type of environment you have to seek out challenges and growth opportunities for yourself. During my time with the organisation I was as lucky enough to progress internally, ultimately becoming Director of Edinburgh Science Worldwide in 2019.
“Edinburgh Science Worldwide is the international arm of Edinburgh Science. We work in collaboration with clients and partners around the world to provide educational events and content, support to design and deliver their own public engagement events and programs and staff training amongst other bespoke educational and events services.
“One of my proudest achievements is the work I’ve done with Abu Dhabi Science Festival. Edinburgh Science has been the principal programming partner of the festival since 2011. Through my role I helped curate, produce and deliver the festival for ten years. Over that time we welcomed half a million visitors to the festival and have engaged many young people in the UAE. To be able to work on something of that scale and complexity whilst producing high quality science engagement has been a real high point of my career.
“But I am also relishing our current challenges! We are currently working with the Getty to deliver a family festival as part of their landmark regional event PST ART: Art & Science Collide exploring the intersection between art and science. It has been a fantastic experience to be immersed in the rich and diverse scientific and artistic communities of southern California to develop this project and we are looking forward to the festival taking place in just a few weeks’ time.”
You are planning to move on from your role as Director. Can you tell us more about your new venture?
“I have decided to dedicate more of my time and energy to the development of my family-run business whilst also continuing my festival and events work on a freelance basis.
“Working for Worldwide has given me a real hunger to run my own business. The role provided me with great insights into the entrepreneurial side of things. I’d go out and seek new work, new collaborations, new partnerships and develop projects from scratch for various partners around the world. After undertaking an MBA in my ‘spare’ time, I’m ready for a new experience and to run something for myself.
“Our family business is in Peeblesshire in the Scottish Borders. Kailzie Gardens is a visitor attraction, with a historic walled garden, a popular café, self-catering accommodation, and a fishery. Our plan is to develop the offer for visitors there, preserve and enhance the natural environment as well as develop the events programme.
“I worked in hospitality early in my career and the food and drink industry is a real passion of mine. My approach to tourism is very much led by what I might eat and drink. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to spread my wings whilst also putting into practice the knowledge I’ve built up over my career.”
Will you still be involved with Edinburgh Science?
“I want to stay in the industry and continue to contribute to Edinburgh Science and the festival sector more widely. I therefore plan to continue to work with Edinburgh Science on a freelance basis.
“For my MBA dissertation project, I investigated how charities can better assess and articulate the impact they have. Going forward, I would also love to develop this work with various organisations on a consultancy basis to help them measure and demonstrate their impact more effectively.”
Tell us more about how you retain your connection to Edinburgh Napier.
“I return to Edinburgh Napier on an annual basis to speak to the students and share industry insights. Listening to speakers from the industry was one of the most inspiring parts of the course to me. As I benefitted from it, I want to support this element of the programme in any way I can.
“I have also loved sharing with students what Edinburgh Science does and encourage them to get involved in Edinburgh Science Worldwide events. The company has had such great students support their work over the years and it's an invaluable opportunity to connect with the ENU network.
“Since January 2024 I have been a member of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Industry Advisory Board. In this role I support the programme with input, advice, networking and fundraising opportunities, as well as placement and employment pathways.”
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
“Don’t be afraid to get stuck in and take an ‘imperfect’ job in an industry you want to work in. When I took on my role as an intern, I had already had management positions in another industry, but I knew the experience would be valuable. When I worked my way up to the position of Director in the same business, I can honestly say it was because of the experience I gained during that time. Having an embedded understanding of the front line of what we do helped me recognise the impact of management decisions. So, I see it as a crucial step on the journey.”