Our team

Colin Liddell

Colin is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s leading communication advisors, regularly called on by senior individuals across the private and public sectors, he also works internationally with leading firms in the pharmaceutical and hospitality sectors.


Before setting up Liddell Thomson in 1996 with Lesley, he 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).


Colin is 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.

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.

Lesley Thomson

Lesley has advised many blue chip companies and leading public sector organisations and has strong international experience. She is a committed and respected professional communicator.


Lesley is Chair of The Arches, one of the UK’s leading multi-arts venues, and a Trustee of the Dewar Arts Awards. She is an adviser to the International Futures Forum and during 2002 was a member of the Sounding Board for the Scottish Executive’s Cities’ Review. She is a former council member of CBI Scotland and Scottish Arts Council; was vice chair of Scottish Ballet and a former non-executive director of Scottish Opera.


Prior to setting up the consultancy with Colin, Lesley was Corporate Communications Manager at ScottishPower PLC and a Director at PR Consultants (Scotland). Before joining ScottishPower she was Corporate Affairs Manager at United Distillers which she joined after working with the Scottish Development Agency (now Scottish Enterprise). Lesley spent a number of years working as a journalist with DC Thomson in Dundee and Business Press International.

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.