AccelerateHER, Scotland’s network for female-founders, has appointed Elizabeth Pirrie as its new chief executive.
Founder and current chief executive Jackie Waring will now become chair, where she will focus on launching a new fund for female-founded companies in Scotland.
Pirrie spent the past four years as chief operating officer for AccelerateHER and its sister company Investing Women Angels (IWA).
During this time, both organisations have seen significant development, with the introduction of mentoring services, UK-wide expansion of the its awards programme, multiple international missions for founders, and a nationwide partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs.
A qualified chartered and certified accountant, Pirrie was finance director of one of Scotland’s largest independent care home providers. In the five years prior to joining AccelerateHER and IWA, she used her experience to deliver the Business Gateway service within Elevator.
Pirrie then joined Highlands and Islands Enterprise as an account manager, where she also served as acting head of business growth. She brings entrepreneurial experience to the role, having run her own company for four years.
Pirrie said: “In the past few years AccelerateHER and IWA has expanded and flourished into an engaged and dynamic community and we in turn have been able to support more female founders, in more diverse ways.
“The clear feedback from the network is that AccelerateHER is a supportive and empowering organisation, so we will aim to build on these virtues by recognising and celebrating female-led businesses that are doing good to tackle key challenges in society and promoting economic growth.”
Waring said: “Over the last four years Elizabeth has been a cornerstone of our operation and a driving force behind the UK growth of AccelerateHER.
“I am therefore delighted that she will be taking over the role of CEO and I’m excited to be working with her as we continue to build our presence, supporting greater numbers of female-founded companies in Scotland and across the UK.”
AccelerateHER is now a 5,300 strong network of female-founders who can access the tools to grow and scale their businesses and raise investment.
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