Mickael Paris was part of the team that launched FinTech Scotland in January 2018. He has over 15 years’ experience working for both start-ups and FTSE100 companies including Maxymiser, Skyscanner and Standard Life. At FinTech Scotland Mickael focuses on developing the profile of the SME community and the Scottish fintech cluster locally and globally. He is also responsible for creating bridges with international fintech hubs, encouraging inward investment as well as helping Scottish firms export. 

Nicola joined Aira in April 2024 to set the Scottish business and having established an expert team, is successfully selling and installing intelligent heat pumps across the country. With a keen interest in the electrification of heat, Nicola spent 8 years working on commercial heating and district energy and has held numerous operational and business development positions within Scottish Gas and ENGIE/Equans. Nicola is deeply committed to raising awareness of clean energy tech solutions, while breaking down policy barriers to make heat pumps more accessible to Scottish households. 

As Head of Onshore Market Development UK, Matt leads the team responsible for developing all aspects of Vattenfall’s UK onshore wind projects from concept to construction. Over the last 9 years, he has held roles in Vattenfall in project development and public affairs. Prior to Vattenfall, he worked in energy and agricultural policy in the British civil service. Matt holds a degree in Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic from the University of Cambridge. He lives and works in Northumberland.

Christina joined IKEA in February 2024, as part of a UK & Ireland wide expansion of the IKEA for Business team. Part of her role is to let Scotland know that the whole IKEA range we know and love, is for businesses too and about the additional services IKEA for Business can offer – interior design, delivery and assembly. Her background is interiors buying and account management for Debenhams and Marks and Spencer, as well as managing supply from the Far East to other major high street retailers. Ten years off, 3 children later and we are back to the present day. She loves the variety of the role, watching spaces being transformed, finding the perfect product for a particular customer and networking – you never know where a connection can lead!

Daniel Paterson is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Directorate for International Trade & Investment within the Scottish Government. Having joined the Scottish Government in 2015, Daniel has a wealth of experience in the field of economic development and attracting investment to Scotland. Previously based at Scotland House London, representing the Scottish Government on matters of economic diplomacy, Daniel currently specialises in advancing Scotland’s Inward Investment (FDI) proposition.

Daniel studied at the University of Glasgow where he gained a Masters Degree in Politics before continuing his studies at the University of Strathclyde where he was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy from The School of Government & Public Policy.

Paul Steen, a Chartered Civil Engineer, is Head of Business Development at Vattenfall and draws on his wealth of experience spanning multiple sectors, from buildings, ports and harbours to energy and road infrastructure and 15 years working with heat networks.

Paul is responsible for the delivery of Vattenfall’s district heat strategy in Scotland, building partnerships with existing and new customers, and working collaboratively with key community stakeholders to identify solutions that are aligned with our partners’ needs and our focus on decarbonising heat.

Paul is passionate about developing young people in STEM and has been committed to engaging with schools as well as taking on university interns and graduates, giving them the skills, experience and time to support the development of our industry’s next generation of talent.

Aileen joined OnPath Energy Ltd in May 2024, a leading renewable energy developer based in North Lanarkshire. OnPath Energy is currently spearheading over 21 wind, solar, and energy storage projects across England and Scotland, driving the UK’s transition to clean energy. With a strong focus on community impact, OnPath ensures that local areas surrounding its projects benefit socially, economically, and environmentally. Aileen brings a wealth of experience from her previous role leading a sustainable living behaviour change programme for IKEA UK and Ireland—an initiative that has since been adopted globally.