The BE-ST board

Managing Director, Athena Leadership Coaching and Consulting

Guided by over 30 years’ experience in construction and housing development as well as her expertise in leadership coaching and consulting, Nicola leads the board in supporting the delivery of BE-ST’s mission to accelerate the built environment’s just transition to zero carbon.

Managing Director, AC Whyte & Co Ltd

As Managing Director of the award-winning family business A.C. Whyte & Co. Ltd, Jennifer Phin has established herself as one of Scotland's most experienced major refurbishment and energy efficiency Main Contractors.

Finance & Commercial Director Edinburgh Napier University

Andy represents BE-ST'‘s host institution which provides all the administrative support to the Innovation Centre. Andy is a commercially focused Finance Director with extensive experience of working internationally with entrepreneurial and VC backed organisations as well as large corporates. 

Principal and Chief Executive, South Lanarkshire College

Stella McManus has worked in the further education sectors across Scotland and England for over 18 years. She is passionate about lifelong learning and the transformational change that education can have on the lives of people at any age and from any background. Stella joined South Lanarkshire College as Depute Principal, before being appointed to Principal and Chief Executive in April 2023.

Managing Director, Digital Construction Skills

Saffron Grant is an experienced Civil Engineer who, during her twenty five years in the construction industry, has worked for Contractors, Designers and Clients.  She is the founder of Setting Out for Construction (SOFC), a construction training company specialising in practical training for site engineers, and Founder and Director of Digital Construction Skills, who support SME and micro construction companies with digital adoption.

CEO, UK Green Building Council

Simon McWhirter leads UKGBC’s policy and political work, as well as overseeing the corporate communications with members, media and the wider industry. He also has oversight of UKGBC’s portfolio of place-based projects and devolved activity, including heading up UKGBC Scotland.

Head of Technical Learning & Development, Opencast

Linzi is a learning professional specialising in developing and delivering learning strategies, designing impactful and innovative learning experiences and resources, and establishing the skills and learning ecosystems required to deliver a strong culture of continuous learning within corporate environments.

Chief Innovation Officer, Keystone Worldwide / Wholus

Gordon is highly motivated thought leader in the Facility Management sector. Professionally delivering multinational portfolio digital design for facilities and estate management and optimisation across fortune 500 companies.

University of Edinburgh

Sean is Chair of Future Construction at the School of Engineering and Director of the Centre for Future Infrastructure at the University of Edinburgh. He leads a number of projects involving interdisciplinary teams and systems and is programme lead for the MSc in Future Infrastructure, Sustainability & Climate Change.

Professor, University of Strathclyde

Lori is an engineer with a background spanning the application of simulation in environmental engineering, architecture and sustainable design and has been active in the energy and environment field for over 25 years both in practice and research, working in the private and public sectors.

Managing Director, Architype

An Architect since 1987, Jonathan became a director of Architype in 1989, established the Hereford office in 1996, and became overall Managing Director in 2015. Jonathan has led the development of Architype’s innovative approach to sustainable design.

Head of Supply Chains Innovation – Energy and Housing Unit within the Industrial Transformation Division

Her role is to lead the development of cross-government frameworks and reporting on the Green Industrial Strategy, coordinating the information from the workstreams on the five priority areas within the GIS. The Unit also has a more specific role in Construction and Steel, which forms part of the wider supply chain.

Scottish Government - Observer

Sharon has been working with the sector since 2019, through the Construction Leadership Forum and it’s Transformation Action Plan. She provides support and advice to ministers on the Construction sector. Collaboration, codesign and collective responsibility are key themes to driving progress and BE-ST are valued delivery partners.

Associate Director, Architype

Ann-Marie has specialisms in Passivhaus and estate de-carbonisation. She holds a master’s in environmental building design from Cardiff university having graduated as an Architect in 2008.

Global Business Project Manager at Stora Enso

Mila builds new collaborative industry-government relationships, influences policy decision-making and provides thought leadership on sustainable Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Dr Duncheva aids building designers and all construction stakeholders in the technical aspects of mass timber design to grow the Sylva™ kit of parts market in the UK on behalf of Stora Enso.