Member Profile
TRI Cap People – Board Members
Robert Dick
Gavin Stevenson
Jamie Andrew
John Burgon
Ian Douglas
Andy Purves
ROBERT DICK – Chairman
“I have a lifelong attachment to the Scottish Borders and to its business community. TRI Capital is a vehicle which melds my commitment to this part of the world while also providing tangible benefit to entrepreneurs.”
Rob Dick began farming on his own account in 1963, becoming one of the founders of a successful farming cooperative Glenteviot Farmers Ltd, of which he remains a Director. As a diversification from farming Rob became involved in the agricultural pesticide industry where he ran his own business for 20 years before merging it with his larger neighbours CSC Crop Protection Ltd, where he remained a Director until 2008. His countryside interests were further extended by involvement with the Heather Trust of which he was Chairman for several years.
However, Rob’s business interests extend to a range of other enterprises - including his family business, W Lucy, an Oxford based manufacturer of electrical switchgear and of specialist iron castings, combined with a large portfolio of residential property.
As Chairman of TRI Capital Rob contributes his wealth of experience in building successful enterprises in the Borders and beyond.
GAVIN STEVENSON – Vice Chairman
“I want to invest in people of quality with ideas of enterprise which will either attract such people to the Scottish Borders or prevent them leaving.”
Gavin Stevenson’s business interests are primarily in property, in Scotland and overseas. This covers all aspects of the property spectrum in both delevopment and investment.
He is a serial investor in both new business start ups and a number of other local enterprises in sectors varying from life science and biotechnology to engineering and forestry.
He also has a strong working relationship with the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise.
“I have a strong allegiance to the Scottish Borders and will support any initiative that has the objective of furthering the renaissance of this part of Scotland. I believe TRI Capital can assist that objective.”
JAMIE ANDREW - Director
“TRI cap allows me to add value by investing in people who, through innovation and business, want to make a profitable contribution.”
Jamie is a chemical engineer by training, with experience in the mining, oil & gas refining and manufacturing sectors. His previous business interests have included developing products for small marine craft propulsion systems and products for energy generation from water resources. One of his working prototype designs was bought by the British Science Museum in 2007 as an example of innovation in maritime technology. Jamie's current business interests cover light engineering, renewable energy (small scale hydro power and biomass), medical devices, retailing and property restoration.
Jamie is particularly interested in investing in technology based companies and product innovation. He knows the many pitfalls facing aspiring entrepreneurs and can add real value at board level when it comes to product innovation and commercialisation.
Jamie is also an active business director/investor and he holds a number of “independent director” positions within a variety of technology based companies (energy related, medical devices, manufacturing) at chairman and director level (in both the private and voluntary sectors). As head of the “Exit Assessment and Support” Group within TRI Cap, Jamie is actively involved in supporting the exit process.
He has lived in the Borders for more than 20yrs.
JOHN BURGON – Director
“Through TRI Cap I have the opportunity to encourage development in the Borders together with the chance to be involved in, and share in, these projects.”
John Burgon’s current business interests span food manufacturing, property development, food technology and marketing, and he has a particular interest in investing in the food, manufacturing and IT sectors.
A borderer through and through, John has pursued his career from his borders base in Eyemouth.
He strongly believes in the future of the Borders, and hopes that, through TRI Cap, he can offer new and developing companies the opportunity to benefit from his 30 plus years of experience in starting, managing and running businesses.
While experience may not be the be all and end all, with it comes a lot of lessons which, when shared, can help a new venture through the minefield that is business development today.
“To work with TRI Cap is a great opportunity for new or developing projects, to access funding and also to be able to call on the wide range of business, financial and entrepreneurial expertise available.”
IAN DOUGLAS – Director
"I enjoy my involvement in TRI Cap because of the diversity of business opportunities it presents both from an investment and management support point of view."
Ian qualified in Agriculture at Edinburgh before joining the agricultural division of RHM plc as a grain trader. He moved to the Borders in 1980 and spent 20 years establishing and running a major division for ABF plc, with operating subsidiaries across Europe and North America involved in world-wide agricultural trading, in addition to food and vegetable oil processing.
After retiring as Group Managing Director in 2003,Ian set up his own consultancy business assisting in contract negotiation and business mergers, acquisitions and disposals, as well as risk management and corporate governance. He has also held a number of non-executive director roles including several as either a Member or Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Recent business interests include working in the food, agricultural and forestry industries as well as the research, light engineering and biofuels sectors.
Ian particularly enjoys encouraging and facilitating businesses to retain focus on the delivery of their agreed aims whilst allowing their technical and entrepreneurial flair room to develop.
ANDY PURVES – Company Secretary
“I relish being part of an organisation where so many opportunities and innovative ideas are presented. It is particularly pleasing when it is a local source and the potential markets are worldwide.”
Andy is the founder and senior member of Purves Chartered Accountants www.purvesca.co.uk based in Melrose. He was probably always destined to run his own business: there have been owner managed businesses in his family since 1879. Over the years he has gained considerable exposure to a very wide range of business experiences having started his own practice, bought over another and been part of the demerger of his own substantial family business.
Andy was involved in the founding of TRI Capital Ltd and, as well as being an active investor himself, has over the years helped guide both investors and companies.
Having acted for and supported companies across a broad range of sectors, Andy knows the challenges of establishing, running and growing small and medium sized businesses and has a particular interest in family businesses. Andy is a director in Adam Purves Galashiels Ltd, a well established family business with multiple and diverse interests.