Rebecca Ellwood | Treasurer & Minute Taker

Rebecca Ellwood brings precision and professionalism to her dual role as PBN's Treasurer and Minute Taker. As a solicitor with Thortons Law LLP's Land and Rural Business team, she applies her legal expertise and meticulous attention to detail to keep our financial records accurate and our committee proceedings properly documented.

Rebecca ensures PBN's finances are managed with complete transparency and accuracy, maintaining the financial health that enables us to support our members effectively. Her role extends beyond the numbers – she keeps the entire committee on track by capturing detailed minutes at our committee meetings and AGMs, ensuring decisions are properly recorded and actions clearly defined.

Working with Thortons Law LLP, one of PBN's valued sponsors, Rebecca understands the importance of strong business relationships and professional standards. Her legal background provides invaluable insight into governance and compliance, while her commitment to detail ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Rebecca's dual responsibilities make her an essential backbone of PBN's operations, combining financial stewardship with meticulous record-keeping to support our organisation's continued growth and success.

Kerry Kidd | Technology Lead

I bring the tech skills that every business network needs but often struggles with! My expertise in website development, cybersecurity, and digital systems means PBN can have a slick, secure online presence that actually works for our members.

What I love about my role as a freelance educator is making techy stuff understandable for everyone. I'm brilliant at taking complicated digital concepts and explaining them in plain English, so no one on the committee needs to feel intimidated by technology. Having worked with loads of small businesses, I genuinely get the digital headaches our members deal with every day - dodgy websites, email chaos, you name it.

My background in education means I'm all about collaboration and sharing knowledge rather than being the 'tech person who disappears into a corner'. I'm genuinely excited about using digital tools to make networking better, operations smoother, and create brilliant new ways for members to connect.

Most importantly, I'm determined to keep our tech foundation strong whilst making sure it's actually usable for everyone - because what's the point of fancy systems if people can't figure them out?

Kate Mason | Membership Lead

Kate Mason serves as our Membership Lead, acting as the first point of contact for women interested in joining PBN and overseeing our membership database. Her warm, welcoming approach ensures new members feel supported from their very first interaction.

Kate's journey as a single mother of two teenage boys while running a substantial business gave her profound insights into the challenges women face balancing family and career. This experience ignited her passion for helping other women find that crucial balance – empowering them to raise families while thriving in their chosen careers.

With over 25 years of Business Strategy and Marketing experience across diverse sectors including insurance, stockbroking, pharmaceuticals, and Adventure Tourism, Kate brings exceptional expertise to our network. She's a multi-award winner for Nae Limits, recipient of the 2019 Shooting Star Award from Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, and was shortlisted for NatWest Business Woman of the Year (new start-up category).

Kate specialises in nurturing business start-ups through to profitable growth stages, combining strategic thinking with genuine care for work-life balance.

Key Skills: Business and Marketing Strategy | Customer Relations | Financial Planning | Entrepreneurial Start-up & Growth | Crisis Management

Pauline Lockhart | Past President

Pauline Lockhart brings invaluable experience and wisdom to her role as Past President, having successfully led PBN through a period of significant growth and achievement during her presidential term.

As founder of Later Life Concierge, Pauline addresses the complex challenges of later life through coordinated services and professional advocacy. Her unique business emerged from personal experience, recognising the need for knowledgeable professionals to support families navigating this crucial life stage.

With a Business Degree and Chartered Associate status with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, plus recent certification as a Professional Advocate, Pauline combines academic excellence with practical expertise. Her groundbreaking career included being the first woman to work in Scottish Amateur Golf, contributing to prestigious events like the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup.

Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 21, Pauline's resilience and determination exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit PBN celebrates. As Past President, she continues providing strategic guidance and mentorship, ensuring continuity while supporting the current committee in advancing PBN's mission to empower businesswomen across Perthshire.

Aileen Hodgson | Vice President & Website Lead

As Vice President of Perthshire Businesswomen's Network, I work alongside President Jan to increase visibility for our organisation and support our valued members. I also serve as the committee's Website Lead, managing member listings and keeping our events and programmes current.

I've been running my dog training business since 2013, learning the technology and business fundamentals through hands-on experience. This journey has given me firsthand insight into the challenges women face when building and growing their enterprises.

My passion lies in lifting up other women and their businesses. Having navigated the steep learning curve of entrepreneurship myself, I understand how vital support and visibility are for business success.

Get in touch: Need updates to your member listing or have website queries? I'm here to help ensure your business gets the online presence it deserves.

Jan Deegan | President & Events Lead

With 18 years in the wedding industry, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside countless sole traders and small business owners, all navigating the exciting and sometimes challenging world of entrepreneurship. For the past five years, I’ve been proud to serve on the PBN committee, and now I’m honoured to take on the role of President.

PBN has connected me with a wonderful network of like-minded, passionate businesswomen right here in Perthshire. It’s a place where ideas are shared, collaborations are sparked, and support is always just a conversation away.

My vision as President is simple: to keep our momentum going, while creating even more opportunities for visibility—not just for PBN as a group, but for every valued member within it.

When I’m not championing local businesses or organising networking events, you’ll often find me singing—sometimes on stage, sometimes just in the car!

Together, let’s make this an exciting and successful chapter for PBN.