Mr Simpson takes over from Glasgow entrepreneur Gordon White, managing director of fatBuzz.  

Tayburn recently announced a strategic alliance with equally long-established creative agency, Lewis, which acquired Tayburn earlier this year, resulting in the formation of the Limitless Innovations Group.

Commenting on the new appointments, Belinda Roberts, founder and CEO of WeDO, said: “As we enter our sixteenth year in business, the combined expertise, leadership, and fresh perspectives from the respective fields of our new advisory board will be pivotal as we continue to innovate and champion Scottish entrepreneurship.

“These appointments reflect a cross-section of industry sectors that will be invaluable to accelerating our future growth plans and meeting the evolving needs of our members.”

The new advisory board members are:

• Ian McLeod Kerr, CEO and founder of Raven Controls which delivers powerful real-time situational awareness for all stakeholders involved in event and venue management globally through its integrated emergency management system. Mr Kerr won the WeDO International Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2021.
• Kelly Jones, insolvency director of Begbies Traynor, a business recovery specialist with a UK network of 100 offices throughout the UK.

Mr Simpson said: “Over many years, WeDO has proven itself to be a vibrant and accessible community of entrepreneurs and business owners. As we emerged from the pandemic, I certainly became aware of just how active our community is with a steady flow of events that bring insight and inspiration in good measure.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Gordon for his leadership during a challenging time for nearly every business, and of course to WeDO for giving me the great honour of becoming the new chair.”

Gordon White, outgoing chair and managing director of fatBuzz, added: “It has been a great privilege to be the WeDO Scotland’s chair for the past four years.

“Throughout my tenure, which included during the pandemic, it was truly heartwarming to witness how our members pulled together and genuinely helped one another; a true testament to what WeDO stands for.

“I wish Richard all the very best, I know he will make a highly competent chair, and I look forward to watching WeDO continue to grow under his leadership.”