Meet the team
Our team is made up of experienced entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping others succeed. We bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our programs, and are here to help you every step of the way.
Who we are
We’re a group of like-minded individuals driven by a common purpose: to champion and assist aspiring entrepreneurs working, studying or graduated from Edinburgh Napier University. Regardless of your business idea or your aspirations for your self-employed career, we’re here to guide you.
Nick Fannin, Head of Enterprise
Nick Fannin is passionate about giving people the time, space and support to develop themselves, their ideas and their projects. Nick has been providing business advice and mentoring support services to students and graduates since 2006, and has been a key driver in the development of an innovative and enterprising community at Edinburgh Napier University.
Emma Ives, Enterprise Manager
Emma Ives joins Bright Red Triangle as Enterprise Manager, having supported social enterprise start-ups over the last few years. She helps support entrepreneurs to develop from idea to reality, and brings a passion for embedding social and environmental impacts into all businesses.
Pete McLean, Enterprise Manager
Pete started his own business 12 years ago as a student at Napier from the Craiglockhart Incubator and is delighted to be sharing his entrepreneurial journey over the last 12 years with the Napier community.
Liza Sutherland, Enterprise Manager
Liza brings 20+ years of experience in supporting startups and raising over £50m in early-stage investments. Passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed, she’s previously led initiatives at Techstart Ventures, founded the University of Edinburgh’s first accelerator and founded 3 companies in the music and tech industries in NYC and Scotland.
Wendy Wu, Enterprise Manager
Born and bred by the banks of the Yangtze River, Wendy Wu is an entrepreneur blended in academic research and education. Her passion is creating integrated coaching methodologies and pedagogies to develop entrepreneurs’ business competence and creativity.
Kendra Byers, Business Engagement & Communications
Kendra is a driven individual who likes to put her passion and skills to good use to encourage and support entrepreneurial activity across Scotland and beyond. As a young businesswoman, she has a particular focus on working with young business leaders who face challenges she can appreciate and help alleviate through her experience and contacts.
Amber Isaacs, Co-ordinator
Amber's background is in the third sector having spent seven years working at Gorgie City Farm, a year of which she was Project Manager of the site. Amber's passion, outside of reading, is in supporting others, in whatever capacity she can, and will often be the first face you see if you drop into the BRT Startup Studio.
Our Entrepreneur's in Residence
Nigel Chadwick
Nigel is known for his skill in strategic leadership, brand value, culture, and management excellence.
The appointment underscores Edinburgh Napier’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, providing students and the wider community with unparalleled access to industry expertise and mentorship.
Lynne Cadenhead
As Entrepreneur in Residence, Lynne will be actively involved in fostering a more entrepreneurial environment for women across Edinburgh Napier University.
This reflects the University's commitment to encouraging and supporting women in entrepreneurship, aligning with its dedication to driving positive change and advancing gender equality.
Leonardo Binetti
With BRT’s newly expanded reach, Dr Binetti will work with students, graduates, and staff from ENU, Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College, providing mentorship and guidance to foster sustainable and impactful entrepreneurial ventures.
His role will enhance BRT’s support for emerging entrepreneurs across the institutions, particularly within areas like health, creative industries, engineering, and sustainability.
Our Ambassadors
Mahsa Nikoufar
Urban Innovation | Urban Planning & Consulting | Smart City | Circular City | Creative City | Data Analytics
Urban Technologist passionate about cities, entrepreneurship and circular economy. Edinburgh Napier Univeristy, Urban Innovation Researcher (PhD candidate)
