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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 Shields is the Founder and CEO of AVIIA, bringing extensive experience of executive search and leadership advisory experience.
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. She has built a reputation for developing trusted relationships with clients and candidates alike, providing strategic advice with integrity, discretion and a deep understanding of leadership.
Passionate about modernising executive search, Debbie founded AVIIA to combine the trusted principles of retained search with technology, market intelligence and a people-first approach. Her vision is to create a more intelligent, transparent and inclusive executive search experience that delivers exceptional outcomes for organisations and leadership talent.
Alongside her executive search expertise, Debbie has supported many diverse organisations with board appointments, succession planning and leadership strategy. She is an experienced Board Chair and Trustee, adviser and governance specialist. Debbie is committed to helping organisations build diverse, high-performing leadership teams equipped to meet the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow.
Debbie currently Chairs the Ambassador Group for the Connect Hub, which is a service run by Simon Community Scotland. The Connect Hub is a community support space for women, providing pathways away from and out of homelessness through support, connection and community.
Debbie is recognised for her collaborative approach, commercial insight and unwavering commitment to delivering appointments that create long-term value for clients, candidates and the communities they serve.

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 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 to focus on creating and growing the social enterprise Footballaid raising £millions and supporting over 200 charitable organisations.
Latterly he has focussed on creating a significant International business support network on behalf of a major uk football club.

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 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 trade sale to Brunel International in 2021.
Since the Brunel transaction, Tom has operated through DeFT Consulting as a non-executive director, investor and board advisor, applying the lessons of building and exiting a high-growth professional services business to a portfolio of technology, energy, professional services and impact-led organisations.

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 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.
With expertise in executive search methodology, market mapping and talent identification, Lauryn takes a thorough and relationship-led approach to every assignment. She is passionate about building trusted relationships with candidates and clients alike, ensuring an inclusive, professional and positive experience throughout the recruitment process.
Known for her attention to detail, collaborative approach and commitment to excellence, Lauryn enjoys working on complex appointments where insight, discretion and a deep understanding of the market are essential. She is motivated by helping organisations secure leaders who create lasting impact while supporting candidates through important career decisions.