Meet Our Members

Gerard Mc Laughlin - Partner at Gerhart Group

Gerard is a successful real estate professional.He has developed real estate projects in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe,and Eastern Europe.

He brings a unique skill set to the group, of Sales and Marketing, acquisition, financial and development planning, and the construction of residential and commercial projects.

Surrounding himself with AAA professionals, he has created an Alliance Hub that stakeholders around the world can trust with their investments.

Gerard has a wealth of political and banking experience which has served him well in the global arena. He has the ability to attract investors and financial strategists, and has successfully joint ventured with international clients, over the last 30 years.

Don McLean | Founder and Managing Director, IES

Don has over 25 years experience in the use and development of building simulation software and also spent two years as a Building Services Engineer at Balfour Kilpatrick. His experiences developing and applying building simulation programs combined with his knowledge of Environmental Engineering and his experience with architects gave him a unique understanding of how building performance tools can significantly improve the building design process.

In June 1994, Don founded Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) in order to develop the suite of integrated building design and simulation tools. His objectives were to overcome many of the obstacles to the uptake of building simulation products and ultimately fully integrate them into the building design process. Don realized that the only way to make these concepts and ideas effective within the design process was to develop them in a fully commercial environment.

He holds a BSc in Environmental Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, and also spent nine years in the ABACUS unit, at the Department of Architecture in the University of Strathclyde, undertaking a PhD and Post Doctoral research. During this time ABACUS was one of the foremost departments in the application of computers in the building design process.

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David Logue - Partner at Gardener Theobald

David is the partner responsible for project management operations in Scotland and has a reputation for successful delivery of high profile projects. He leads by example and his approach to management of projects is focused upon team building.

Selected Experience:

• > Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh
• > Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
• > Garthdee Campus, Robert Gordon University
• > Perth Concert Hall
• > Glasgow Harbour Residential

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Mark O'Dowd - Partner at Renewables Unlimited

Mark O’Dowd is a partner in Renewables Unlimited and legal director. Previously he was a solicitor working in the energy team at HBJ Gateley, where he focused on the property and commercial contracts aspects of renewable energy projects. His recent projects involved Solar PV, Onshore and Offshore Wind, and Energy from Waste. Mark led for Renewables Unlimited in the acquistion of a wind farm project for a Danish/Swiss Joint Venture Company and continues to work with this client in an advisory and project mangement role. Previously he advised Land Engineering and First Milk on the corporate and regulatory structure for their joint venture First Milk Energy.

Mark joined HBJ Gateley in 2007 as Director of Operations following a successful spell as Director of Operations at Bishops Solicitors, where he had trained as a solicitor in property, corporate and litigation.

At HBJ Gateley he attracted several large clients, drove through a complete brand refresh, and raised the profile of the firm by gaining several awards, most notably Corporate Social Responsibility Firm of the Year. He was a founder member of the firm's Energy Team, building a renewable energy advice capability, which at his departure comprised a dedicated team of 5 solicitors.

Prior to taking up a legal career, he ran a series of successful businesses in the service, media and property sectors.

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Steven Boyle - CEO & Founder

An experienced businessman and entrepreneur, Steven has been involved in many technology companies throughout his career. Having been CEO previously at Altran CIS, Steven understands what information business leaders need in order to make important decisions. He is the visionary behindicsbusinessbox.

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Simon Boyle - Commercial Director at icsbusinessbox

Simon looks after Commercial operations. He is a Fellow of the Saltire Foundation, one of the leading business programmes in the UK today. He joined us following a successful career in London and Frankfurt with Sutherland Consulting.

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John Meehan at Harper McLeod

John has a wealth of experience in property, property finance and corporate recovery and insolvency. He has worked on a wide variety of projects including:

Security, ranking and guarantee analysis Risk analysis for banks in relation to customers' contractual obligations and entitlements under contracts for site assembly, procurement, development, property finance/forward funding, overage agreements and partnering or joint venture agreements.

Advice on the most appropriate route for the bank to take in distressed scenarios, including whether to call-up, appoint an IP and/or exercise Step In Rights and how to deal with the risks and consequences arising.

Coordinating due diligence and other professionals on property and development related issues and drafting sale documentation for swift corporate or asset sale deals in distressed scenarios Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession lists John as a "Leader in the Field" in both Banking & Finance and Real Estate, where he is described as "very energetic, very hard-working and diligent. He's got a good strategic mind and he's corporately aware, commercial and responsive" and "peers praise him as "a very efficient, very clever lawyer."

The Legal 500 2013 notes that "Harper Macleod provides ‘outstanding levels of service’, with John Meehan singled out for his ‘exceptional performance’".

Qualifications/ LLB (Hons) (Tax) Dip LP Qualified/ 1996 Joined the firm/ 2011

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Jane McMonagle at Harper McLeod

Jane specialises in non-contentious construction law and advises clients on project-wide and strategic issues, both in the public and private sectors. She has been the construction lead on a number of high profile projects including the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and the Royal Museum Redevelopment in Edinburgh.

Jane provides advice to clients on procurement strategy and contract options and is experienced in extensive use of both bespoke contracts and industry standard forms (including SBCC/JCT, NEC3, GC/Works, MF/1, LOGIC and FIDIC). She also drafts, negotiates and assembles consultant appointments, collateral warranties, bonds, guarantees and sub-contracts (managing risk throughout the contractual chain).

Jane advises on practical aspects of contract terms and regularly provides bespoke training on the administration and operation of contracts for leading UK contractors?and project management consultancy practices.

Qualifications/ LLB (Hons) Dip LP Qualified/ 2004 Joined the firm/ 2014

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John Anderson B.Acc. CA - Partner at French Duncan

John has been a Partner in French Duncan since 2005 following its merger with O’Sullivan Cleary, where he had worked since 2000. Prior to then, John was Manager of the Business Services group in the Glasgow office of Grant Thornton. He is partner in charge of French Duncan’s Kirkintilloch office.

Together with a team of eight, John delivers accountancy, audit, taxation and other business services to clients ranging from private individuals to companies with seven figure turnovers. As his clients include a number of charities and not-for-profit organisations, John and his team have developed significant expertise in this area.

John and his team look beyond a client’s business to help them with their financial affairs during business life and to prepare for life after business. Although the core work of the office is geared towards dealing with accountancy and tax compliance matters, satisfaction is gained through helping with start-ups, assisting with growth and development and keeping financial matters stable during recessionary times. Advice on business structure and tax planning is where value can be added.

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William Neilson - MD at Woolgar Hunter

William graduated in Civil Engineering in 1985 and subsequently trained and worked in a multi-disciplinary Consulting Engineering environment. He has a wide range of experience within the industry including design of industrial, commercial, healthcare, education, retail and residential developments. He is particularly interested in innovative engineering and was, for eight years, a visiting tutor at Glasgow University Mackintosh School of Architecture and has also lectured at Glasgow, Strathclyde and the University of West of Scotland Universities. He has played a substantial role in the successful development of the business into one of the UK's most energetic and enthusiastic civil and structural engineering consultancies.

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Arthur O'Brien

Arthur is inspired by the pursuit of architecture and design in a global marketplace, and over the past 18 years he has developed an international portfolio. Maintaining existing client relationships is important to him and this has lead to him developing schemes in new countries and markets with them.

He works as part of a dedicated team and places tremendous value on them as well as their expertise. His proven track record illustrates that he is experienced in developing international business, on focused growth, as well as client cultivation and retention.

Arthur is acutely aware of the importance of an architect’s design expertise and he understands the value of marketing and driving marketing opportunities.

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Bill Ritchie - Director at atelier ten

Bill has responsibility for Atelier Ten’s Glasgow Office. As a Chartered Building Services Engineer, he has experience of major public sector projects including schools, housing, hospitals, offices, shops and hotels. He contributes both to environmental strategies and the detailed design of buildings where his interest in low energy design combines with his experience of project delivery, producing an approach that is informed and innovative. His understanding of ever changing legislation has led to his participation on several industry committees where he advises on sustainability and carbon reduction issues

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Stuart Deed - MD at The Lauch Point

With over 25 years experience the energy market Stuart has worked in the oil and gas sector with Exxon Mobil and in the utilities sector with SSE plc.Stuart helped to establish the SSE Venture Capital business and in 2010 established The Launch Point Limited, where he is Managing Director.

The Launch Point is an interim management service provider offering a depth and breadth of skills not normally available to new start-ups or developing businesses. All of our senior associates possess experience operating at board level in small and medium sized enterprises. The team can assist with Business Planning; Strategy Development; Procurement & Contracting; Supply Chain Management; and Design & Manufacturing. We advise clients on how their business propositions can be developed to enhance the potential to secure financial support or gain commercial traction.

The Launch Point team has worked working with partners and clients in the UK and Ireland, Europe, North America and Asia.

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