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Debbie Shields - Founder and CEO of AVIIA

Debbie Shields

Founder and CEO

Debbie Shields is the Founder and CEO of AVIIA, bringing extensive experience of executive search and leadership advisory experience across the public, private, and third and non-profit sectors. Throughout her career, Debbie has partnered with boards and executive teams to appoint Chief Executives, Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors and senior leaders who have shaped organisations, driven transformation and delivered lasting impact.

Debbie's Full Bio

Craig Paterson - Chair

Craig Paterson

Chair

Craig is an experienced commercial and social entrepreneur who over the past 4 decades, has been driven by a desire to create lasting and meaningful positive impacts for all stakeholders involved in various ventures across multiple markets. As the founder of Melville Craig Group, he grew the business into one of Scotland’s leading firms across the full footprint of Human Resources and recruitment services before completing a successful exit to a listed US firm.

Craig's Full Bio

Tom Hopkinson - Non Executive Director

Tom Hopkinson

Non Executive Director

Tom Hopkinson is a serial entrepreneur and board advisor with over two decades of experience building and scaling businesses in executive search and talent solutions. Tom is best known as the founder of Taylor Hopkinson, a specialist renewable energy executive search firm he established in 2009. Over fifteen years he grew the business from start-up to a market-leading international operation, completing a private equity raise with Longacre International before a successful sale in 2021.

Tom's Full Bio

Lauryn Pringle - Senior Researcher

Lauryn Pringle

Senior Researcher

Lauryn is an executive search professional with experience supporting senior leadership and board-level appointments across the public and third sectors. She has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality research, market insight and candidate engagement, helping organisations identify and attract exceptional leadership talent. Known for her attention to detail, collaborative approach and commitment to excellence, Lauryn enjoys working on complex appointments.

Lauryn's Full Bio