Heather began her career in the textile sector, where she trained as a kiltmaker and CAD operator. Subsequently, she joined academia as a lecturer/senior lecturer in marketing and completed her PhD at the University of Edinburgh in 2018.
With a passion for business/education collaborations, Heather has used her expertise to advise governments, educational institutions and companies (especially those based in former USSR and Eastern Bloc countries) through her involvement in international projects with the World Trade Organisation, United Nations, the European Union and the British Council.
She has also undertaken initiatives with both the Westminster and Scottish governments. For example, Heather secured Scottish Government funding for the Developing Young Workforce (DYW) initiative in the Borders. With an aim to connect Scottish businesses with young people in schools and colleges, the DYW project is designed to enable companies to meet their current (and future) staffing needs, by supporting pupils and students as they develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the world of work.
Now a business partner in a consultancy business, Heather sits on the DYW Board and, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, she is also an industry mentor to internationally-based business students.