Yes, I admit it. I do work as a consultant. In public perception terms that’s almost as bad as admitting you’re an estate agent but actually I do think consultants by and large provide a reasonable service. (As do many estate agents I hasten to add!)

Certainly I believe that the work I’ve done has made a useful - sometimes significant - contribution to those organisations for whom I have worked. Most recently I’ve been working with a colleague on a fund raising and sponsorship strategy for Aberdeen Art Galleries and Museums, the council-run organisation responsible for the art galleries and museums in the city.

Obviously, for reasons of confidentiality I can’t show you the report but I can, if you want, put you in touch with the people there who commissioned the report and they can tell you what it was like to work with me.

In the past I’ve provided a marketing strategy for a Glasgow based theatre company; a strategy that they are still pursuing and I also currently serve as a (unpaid!) board member for Aberdeen Performing Arts, the charitable status company that manages the three principal performing arts venues in Aberdeen. There is a 1,900 seat theatre (His Majesty’s), a large concert hall and a smaller venue for world music, jazz, contemporary dance, comedy and small scale theatre.

APA turns over close to £8m per annum and employs over 200 people. I chair the board sub-committees on health and safety and human resources.

Best regards,