Our team

Colin Liddell and Lesley Thomson

Colin Liddell and Lesley Thomson, co-founders of the consultancy, are highly-respected communicators and motivators who have advised a diverse range of blue-chip national and international companies, and public and professional organisations. They have worked with Chairmen, Chief Executives and senior executives of PLC’s, private companies and partnerships in commercial property and housing, energy, financial services, food and drink, leisure, legal services, marketing, packaging, press and media, pharmaceuticals, sport, technology, transport and travel,


In the public sector they have advised senior officers and management teams in economic development, education, housing, health, language, local government, regulation, tourism, arts and culture, transport and infrastructure


Before setting up Liddell Thomson in 1996, Colin was Director of Corporate Communication for Scottish Power plc and for United Distillers plc. He was previously chief executive at Charles Barker Scotland and chief press officer at the Scottish Development Agency (now Scottish Enterprise). He gained 14 years experience in journalism with daily and weekly newspapers in Scotland. Colin is a Member of the CBI Council, Scotland and a non-executive director of Roger Billcliffe Gallery, one of Scotland's leading private galleries. He was a founding member of the Board of Quality Scotland and previously served on the boards of Scottish Ballet and the RSNO as well as the Executive Council of Scottish Business in the Community. He is a former vice chairman of Falkirk FC.


Prior to 1996, Lesley was Corporate Communications Manager at Scottish Power plc and a director at PR Consultants (Scotland). She was previously Corporate Affairs Manager at United Distillers plc and a press officer at the Scottish Development Agency (now Scottish Enterprise). Lesley gained initial experience as a journalist with DC Thomson in Scotland and Business Press International. Lesley is Chair of The Arches, one of the UK's leading multi-arts venues and was a board member of Scottish Ballet for ten years, three of those as Vice Chair. She is a mentor on the City of London University Cultural Leadership Programme and a trustee of the Dewar Arts Awards for young people in Scotland. She is an adviser to the International Futures Forum and was a member of the Sounding Board for the Scottish Executive's Cities' Review. She is a former Member of the Council of CBI Scotland and the Scottish Arts Council, and a former non-executive director of Scottish Opera.

Graeme Mair, Consultant

Graeme joined Liddell Thomson in 1998 and is actively involved in researching, creating and implementing communication and marketing strategies for a wide range of private and public sector clients.


He is particularly engaged in property and planning, economic development, sports and leisure marketing, and branding. He also has extensive experience in primary research and analysis, creating direct marketing strategies and initiatives, and in project management, leading multi-disciplinary teams, shaping and managing budgets, and facilitating meetings and workshops. Graeme writes and edits strategies, reports and promotional publications, and contributes to a range of websites and press and media outlets.


Graeme gained a first class honours degree in Marketing and Communication from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Karen Macdonald, Consultant

Karen joined the team in January 2008 to develop a portfolio of client interests in the public and private sectors. She has broad communication experience in both sectors in the UK and internationally and has a particular strength in internal and managing communication in periods of business and organisational change.


Prior to joining Liddell Thomson, Karen was Head of Corporate Communications for the Scottish Police Services Authority and previously worked with Strathclyde Police and United Paper Mills.

Lisa Woore, Consultant

Lisa has worked with Liddell Thomson since 2004 and is the consultancy's specialist in new media with a particular competence in emerging digital technologies, such as blogging and online news, and with a sound working knowledge of web design, usage and management.


She advises clients on responses to on-line challenges and provides a range of web-based services, including monitoring and knowledge development in new media. She also manages client support services, provides research and administrative support to the consultancy team, and writes for websites and administers several online forums in the arts sector.


Lisa gained an honours degree in Scottish History from the University of St Andrews.

Shirley Trotter, Director / Company Secretary

Shirley joined Liddell Thomson at its inception and has responsibility for the general and financial management of the business, including office management, personnel, ICT, health and safety, staff training and development.


She liaises with client financial functions and also has responsibility for investment, cash flow and client account management.


Shirley previously worked in the energy, property and oil industries throughout the UK and Middle East.