James Dunbar is the founding Chief Executive of New Start Highland. He led its development from inception to an organisation with 80 employees and a multi-million pound turnover.
The social issues tackled by New Start Highland are three-fold: poverty, homelessness, and long-term unemployment. James has created a range of services including: furniture upcycling, housing support, employment training, a retail chain, bicycle refurbishing and a storage, removals, and decorating business.
James leads a team with a shared vision for creating opportunities to Transform Highland lives.
He is a 2 time Institute of Directors “Director of the year” winner and winner of Ernst and Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year award. He also led New Start Highland to win SCDI business excellence award winner for environmental sustainability.
Last year alone, James led New Start Highland in saving over one million pounds for the public purse – but more importantly helped many people make lasting transformational change in their lives.