Aberdeen Inspired unveils three new board members 

Aberdeen Inspired has welcomed three new members to the board of the city centre’s
Business Improvement District.
Bringing their wealth of experience and knowledge – as well as their passion for the Granite
City – to the BID’s drive to attract, sustain and boost investment in the city centre are:
∙Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus Scotland.
∙Dominique Dawson, Jewellery Manager of Finnies, the family-based jeweller based
on George Street.

∙Sarah Stewart, a solicitor of 17 years’ experience who is also supporting her husband
in running the family business, Juniper on Belmont Street.
All three have been welcomed by Aberdeen Inspired chief executive Adrian Watson, who
said they will enhance the existing wealth of talent on the board.
Duncan Cameron said: “I am delighted to have joined the Aberdeen Inspired board at such
an important stage for business in Aberdeen and for the city as a whole.
“There is a lot of emphasis on what we can do to improve the city centre, in particular Union
Street, and transport connectivity plays a major role in those plans to help Aberdeen return
to a position in which it is thriving. I’m looking forward to working alongside leaders from
across the city to make effective change that benefits businesses across the city.”
Duncan was appointed as Managing Director of First Bus Scotland in January 2022. He
joined the business originally through the FirstGroup Graduate programme in 2001 as a
Senior Management Trainee after graduating from Robert Gordon University and quickly
progressed through a number of roles across the UK.

Dominique Dawson and her brother are the third generation to work at Finnies, which has
traded on George Street for almost seven decades.
She said: “I am delighted to be elected to the board of Aberdeen Inspired, an organisation
myself and Finnies have long admired and supported for their commitment to driving positive
change on behalf of the businesses and wider communities of Aberdeen.”
On leaving Aberdeen University with a degree in economics, Dominique took the opportunity
to further her education and study in London to become a graduate gemmologist with the
GIA, whilst also accepting a job as a member of the management team working for Chanel
Fine Jewellery in Harrods. It was always her intention to return to the family business, which
she did after four years in London.
Sarah Stewart has joined the board to represent independent retail in the city in her role
with Juniper, the family business which has been established for 52 years.

Sarah said: “I have a real passion and belief that creating a community and a sense of place
which brings people together is so beneficial to the local area and all involved so I strive to
achieve this in all walks of life.
“I am really looking forward to supporting Aberdeen Inspired with the great work they are
doing to bring back the vibrancy to our city centre with a particular focus on supporting
independent retail who, along with other businesses, continue to face numerous challenges.”
Sarah is a solicitor with over 17 years of experience within the commercial property industry
and now working as Legal Counsel for Elsick Development Company. She is the co-founder
of Aberdeen Health and Wellbeing Festival which held its third and most successful event
earlier this year.

Adrian Watson said: “The board of Aberdeen Inspired is a powerhouse of experience, skill,
and knowledge. It is made up of individuals from a diverse range of business backgrounds,
representing the sectors so vital to our city centre economy – retail, hospitality, arts and
culture and the wider business community.

“I am thrilled that Duncan, Dominique and Sarah will now add to that wealth of talent, which
is helping to steer Aberdeen Inspired and the wider city centre to a better and brighter future,
taking advantage of the many opportunities before us, while weathering some of the storms
that beset us.
“I want to give them the warmest of welcomes – and our thanks – as they join the Aberdeen
Inspired family.”