SIS Ventures

Thomas Gillan, CA

Thomas is the executive lead at SIS Ventures and is responsible for the strategic planning within the SIS group. In 2015, he led the development of SIS Community Capital, the UK’s first impact investment fund raising investment using Social Investment Tax Relief. With a background in corporate finance, he is passionate about social entrepreneurship, connecting organisations with mission aligned investors to support inclusive growth and social impact. In 2016 Thomas was named the sustainability winner in the top 35 CAs under 35 by ICAS in Scotland.

Alistair Johnstone, MCIBS

Alistair, who started at SIS in 2011, is responsible for the group’s credit risk and compliance functions. Alistair provides strong direction and to support investment policy, risk, and compliance across the SIS group. Alistair is able to support all types of organisations through SIS due to his extensive financial and relationship skills. Before his career at SIS, Alistair was with Bank of Scotland where he worked for over 20 years in various roles.

Rob Halliday, CA

Prior to SIS Ventures, Rob held the role of Lead Fund Manager at SIS – leading the due diligence process for new investment proposals and managing a portfolio of SIS’s customers. He is responsible for the delivery of the Fund’s investment strategy, working closely with the Investment Committee to ensure the fund objectives are met. Rob has a wealth of experience making and managing impactful investments to a wide range of sectors including community renewables, arts and culture and consumer products. Rob is a Chartered Accountant and worked at Deloitte prior to joining SIS.

Alastair Davis, FCIBS

Alastair has been CEO of SIS since 2011. Before joining SIS, he worked with Bank of Scotland’s community banking, where he developed his broad and extensive knowledge of social investment. In 2017, Alastair was awarded a Fellowship of the Chartered Banker Institute. Alastair is currently on the board of the North East Social Investment Company in England and the advisory boards of Big Society Capital and Scottish EDGE.

Mary Jane Brouwers

Mary Jane has worked in equity investments since 1997 when she joined the team that became Bank of Scotland Growth Equity, managing a portfolio of companies ranging from SME to FTSE. Subsequently she worked as an investment manager for the Scottish Investment Bank for two years before joining Archangels, reviewing new investment proposals as well as the active portfolio management of investee companies.

Morag McNeill

Morag has over 25 years’ experience as a corporate lawyer. She was a partner in McGrigors for 13 years and then spent nearly 8 years as General Counsel at Forth Ports plc. Morag is a non-executive director of Aberdeen Harbour Board and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited. On leaving Forth Ports, Morag was keen to become involved in the third sector and she sits on the Board of a number of charities, including Social Investment Scotland.

Mike Wooderson, FCIBS

Mike joined as Chair of the SIS Ventures Investment Committee following a career break to focus on family and personal interests. In a career spanning 40 years, Mike held senior management positions within Lloyds Banking Group, HBOS and Royal Bank of Scotland including numerous directorships of Subsidiary Companies and Joint Ventures both in the UK and overseas. An experienced investor and business management professional whose experience is spread across a wide range of geographies and business sectors.

Susan Aktemel

Susan is an award-winning social entrepreneur and is currently executive director of Homes for Good (Scotland) CIC, and Homes for Good Investments Ltd. An experienced property developer, she has combined these skills with her commitment to improving people’s lives to create Scotland’s first social enterprise letting agency and social landlord in the private rented sector. Previously, she created and grew Impact Arts, now a leading Scottish charity. Since 2014 she has raised over £12 million in social investment for Homes for Good.

Amanda Young

Amanda is the Head of Global ESG Research for Aberdeen Standard Investments. She has had a long career in financial services, leading the Responsible Investment activities at Standard Life Investments, as well as responsible investment positions at Newton Investment Management and CCLA, the specialist church and charity fund manager. Amanda currently leads one of the work streams in the UK government’s task force on creating a culture of social impact investment. In 2017, Amanda was named in the Financial News’ Top 100 Women in Finance.