People: Anne Reid has gone from licensee to owner of SpeakingLives

Published on 11/06/2012 00:00

A WOMAN who records her customers’ life stories on to CD or MP3 files as gifts for their family and friends is starting a new chapter in her own life after buying out her bosses.

Anne Reid joined SpeakingLives in 2009 as a licensee but has now bought the entire business, which is one of the sponsors of this year’s Borders Book Festival.

Reid has battled breast cancer for the past three years but was given the all-clear in March. She said: “Fortunately this latest chapter in my life has had a happy ending and, while I still don’t know where the next story line is going to lead, I am very much looking forward to finding out.”

ID card firm banks a financial asset

online identity verification service MiiCard is banking on the experience of newly-appointed chief financial officer Graham Paterson as it pushes on with its international expansion.

Paterson, founder of SL Capital Partners, had been a non-executive director at the Edinburgh-based company and led its recent £1.6 million fund-raising round from business “angels” and venture capitalists.

James Varga, MiiCard’s chief executive, said: “Graham has been a part of our team since MiiCard launched, but appointing him chief financial officer fully capitalises on his extensive investment and financial experience, which will be a real asset as we continue with the global expansion for our service”.

Change of direction for sales specialist

A FORMER hedge fund saleswoman has swapped the trading floor for the cellar door after being named as a “brand ambassador” for Chilean producer Montes Wines.

Melissa Stonard beat off competition from a pool of 200 candidates and will now visit wine shops and bars throughout the UK to build a relationship with clients while championing Montes Wines.

To help prepare for her new career, Stonard has passed her Wine & Spirit Education Trust intermediate course with distinction, which Montes said would give her “a solid foundation in wine”.

Comparing her hedge fund and wine careers, Stonard said: “Both industries require passion, precision, persistence and specialist expertise. I’m confident that my background in sales will help me to build rapport with customers.”

Brewer notches up hat-trick of wins

STAYING with booze, Edinburgh-based Stewart Brewing has notched up its third victory in its series of “battle of the brewers” contests after beating Aviemore-based Cairngorm Brewery.

Steve and Jo Stewart set up the competition to raise money for Cash for Kids and the Stuart Andrew Lawtie Memorial Foundation, and this time squeezed £1,050 out of drinkers at the Bow Bar, Cloisters and the Stockbridge Tap, all in Edinburgh.