Şahin Vahap Firat was born in Turkey. He is a successful businessman with connections both in Turkey and Scotland. The Scottish connections have been going on for over many years.

He believes in a strong business link between Turkey and Scotland. He sees Turkey as the largest consumer market in Europe with one of the highest business and economic growth rates in the world.

Pauline Jane Weddell – Secretary General

Pauline Weddell is an experienced consultant and entrepreneur based in Edinburgh. With over 38 years in Human Resources, she has held senior roles in finance, media, pharmaceuticals, and energy sectors. Her international career includes work in Dubai, Canada, Norway, and Germany.

Since 2020, she has been Director of Learn To Grow Ltd. She is also the former Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland and has actively supported national initiatives focused on women’s entrepreneurship and small business development.

Pauline Weddell currently serves as the Secretary General of the Turkish-Scottish Chamber of Commerce.

Blair Melville – Solicitor / Legal Affairs

Blair Melville is a qualified Scottish solicitor, specialising in immigration and asylum law. He studied Immunology at the University of Glasgow and later completed his law degree (LLB) at the University of Strathclyde. He began his legal career in housing and small claims, eventually focusing on immigration law.

After gaining experience at respected firms such as Drummond Miller and Shepherd and Wedderburn, he founded Teneu Legal, a social enterprise law firm committed to accessible, community-driven legal services.

In 2025, he was appointed Legal Affairs Officer of the Turkish-Scottish Chamber of Commerce, where he supports and strengthens the legal framework of trade and collaboration between Scotland and Türkiye.

Emin Can Bozkurt – Board Member

Emin Can Bozkurt was born in 1983 in Fethiye, Ölüdeniz – one of Turkey’s most iconic tourism destinations. He graduated with a degree in Public Relations from Kocaeli University and completed a master’s in Macroeconomics at Near East University in Cyprus.

After living in Turkey until the age of 35, he moved to Edinburgh where he has resided for the past six years. During this time, he has launched and managed several local ventures, including Artisan Coffee, Kukina Bakery, and Sisorti Coffee & Bakery.

Emin Can Bozkurt currently serves as a Board Member of the Turkish-Scottish Chamber of Commerce.

Alexander McKenzie – Treasurer

I'm Stephen Alexander McKenzie, founder of McKenzie Accountancy & Bookkeeping and a finance professional with over 20 years' experience across hospitality, retail, import & export, and consumer goods.

I focus on helping businesses make sense of their numbers, stay compliant, and grow with confidence—while also drawing on the insight I've gained from running my own ventures, including the craft-spirits business Crafty Connoisseur.