Christina Noble
Position: Chair
SJ Noble’s younger sister. Worked with Tourism and Rural Development in the Indian Himalayas 1970-1992 and since 1998 as Project Director, Here We Are, Argyll. Director of the renewable energy businesses: Our Power CIC – wood chips for heat and The Merk LLP – hydro power. Director of Miyar Mufflers, a start up women’s initiative in the West Himalayas.
Christopher Cox
Position: Trustee
Since the 1980s Christopher has worked around the world (UK, USA, EU, India, Malaysia) in hundreds of different organisations, providing advice and assistance in a wide variety of cultures and sectors.
He has lived in Argyll since 2003, and was Operations Director at Inverawe Smokehouses for nine years. In 2012 he started Drumturk Ltd assisting organisations predominantly in Scotland.
Christopher enjoys bringing out the best in leaders and organisations, through developing and communicating strategy, and creating working environments where people are engaged and respected. His work with the Noble Trust is an important part of this.
Jim McMillan
Position: Trustee
Jim McMillan from Cumnock in Ayrshire has worked in the Royal Bank of Scotland since leaving school. He moved to Inveraray in 1991 where he worked mainly as a Business Manager dealing with SMEs throughout Argyll.
After retiring from the bank in 2016 he joined the Trust. Jim is also involved with several other local organisations in the area including Inveraray & District Pipe Band and Inveraray Highland Games.
Magnus Spence
Position: Trustee
- I am an entrepreneur specialising in data, research and consulting for the financial services sector.
- Outside of my day job, I am a Trustee of Dance East, and have illustrated several books and was a cartoonist for the Sunday Express for 3 years. I live in Suffolk where I enjoy playing very bad golf.
- My experience of running a small company, in good times and bad, is hopefully useful in helping others develop their businesses.
- It is a great pleasure to spend more time in Argyll because of my family and personal history. I was devoted to my cousin SJN and so this work is a real honour.
Alastair Barge
Position: Trustee
Over 45 years of experience living and operating small businesses in Argyll. Specialising in Aquaculture.
Otter Ferry Seafish is Scotland’s only marine hatchery producing wrasse as Cleanerfish and Halibut which were previously ongrown as Gigha Halibut.
A one time member of the Argyll and Island Enterprise and currently chair of Tighnabruaich Development Trust.
Virginia Sumison
Position: Trustee
Virginia has lived and worked in Argyll for since 1988, employment including Marketing and Events Manager for Loch Fyne Oysters and co-ordinating for the Food from Argyll producers’ group. She is a founder and Director of Cairndow Community Childcare, now based at the purpose-built Fyne Den at Cairndow. Since 2021 she has been the Estate Manager for Ardkinglas Estate. She is Johnny Nobles niece and joined as a Trustee in 2012.
Rhoda Meek
Position: Trustee
Rhoda is an entrepreneur, digital consultant and crofter based in the Isle of Tiree. She Chairs the Tiree Community Development Trust.
Running Isle Develop CIC, and her own business, Meekton Enterprises, keeps her busy most of the time. From time to time she contracts to US Tech Start Ups, managing Customer Experience.
Michael Breslin
Position: Advisor
Michael was one of the founding trustees of the SJ Noble Trust in 2004. At that time he was Principal of Argyll College UHI, which he took from being a startup to a £3m+ business by the time he retired in 2012. Prior to that he managed training and small business support for Argyll & Islands Enterprises.
He was elected as councillor for the Dunoon ward of Argyll & Bute Council in 2012 and served for 5 years. He is involved in a range of community groups including South Cowal Community Council.
Michael stepped down as a trustee at the 2024 AGM and is now an adviser to the trust.
AAB
Accountants to the trust
AAB, 133 Finnieston Street, Glasgow, G3 8HB
Burness Paul
Solicitors to the trust
Burness Paul, 2 Atlantic Square, 31 York Street, Glasgow, G2 8AS