About Board Assist

Our Vision

To provide expert financial, leadership, operational and general business support to SME businesses for all aspects of running a successful business. We want to help businesses achieve their fullest potential. We strive to be a trusted partner, leveraging our expertise to navigate challenges, seize opportunities and create lasting value for our clients.

Our Values

We act with integrity

We will be a trusted partner

We keep things simple

We are relationship driven

We execute with excellence

We back your ambition

We specialise in taking local roots to national reach.

Meet the Team

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Our Founder and Managing Director, Louise Santaana

Louise has extensive experience in the financial world leading large teams of people. She has worked in commercial banking, lending, private banking and corporate finance in senior roles. She has supported many businesses throughout her career to become more successful through strategic planning, coaching and strong leadership. Louise has a law degree, a post graduate in legal practice, CeMAP and is a qualified coach. Louise has also been CEO of an early stage business. She currently holds NED positions and is a chairman of a charity.

Director, Alastair Mackie

Alastair brings over two decades of senior leadership experience from the UK’s top institutions to help Scottish businesses thrive. His career at Lloyds Banking Group was defined by strategic execution and a relentless focus on operational excellence, where he led teams to deliver significant performance improvements and drive sustainable growth. This corporate-level expertise is grounded in a deep, first-hand understanding of the SME commercial engine. Before his senior banking roles, Alastair spent 12 years in media business development, creating high-value advertising and sponsorship strategies for major brands. He then applied this commercial acumen directly as a Sales & Operations Director for an SME, delivering substantial revenue growth. This unique blend of experience means he understands not only board-level strategy but also the practical realities of sales, marketing, and operations that power a business day-to-day. Today, his advisory practice is complemented by a forward-looking focus on digital transformation and the strategic application of AI to help SMEs build resilience and gain a competitive edge. This background, underpinned by an MBA from the University of Strathclyde and a degree in Law from the University of Edinburgh, provides a unique, multi-faceted perspective on what it takes for a modern business to succeed.

Why Board Assist?

Louise has significant expertise in finance, supporting businesses and leadership. She is passionate about supporting clients with their growth ambitions and will give you the tools to consistently deliver your business goals. She has enjoyed very senior positions in banking and finance. She is very family oriented and knows how important getting a good work life balance is to everyone.

At Board Assist, we understand that running and growing a business can be challenging; from navigating financial complexities to building the right leadership structures. That’s why we go beyond traditional consultancy. We become a trusted partner, working alongside you to simplify challenges, seize opportunities, and give you the tools to achieve your ambitions with confidence.

What sets us apart is our blend of deep financial expertise, real leadership experience, and a genuine passion for helping businesses thrive. We know that no two businesses are the same, so we tailor our support to fit your goals, ensuring practical solutions that deliver real results.

With Board Assist, you don’t just gain advice, you gain a relationship. We pride ourselves on acting with integrity, keeping things simple, and empowering you to reach your fullest potential while maintaining the balance that matters in both business and life.

Collaborators

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Greg Turnbull, Managing Director of Langford Turnbull, Chartered Independent Financial Adviser.

Greg provides impartial, independent financial advice to individuals like yourself, to owner-managed businesses and to company directors. His friendly and expert advice can help simplify and make sense of the complex field of financial planning. It may be inheritance tax, pensions, tax efficient investment strategies, planning for retirement or selling a business. He helps clients make the best decisions about their financial affairs and explains options and strategies they may not have considered.

Leigh Khan Hussain, CEO of Inspired Business Media

Leigh Hussain is a high-impact entrepreneur with over a decade of experience building and scaling ventures across 12 industries: Facilities Management, Corporate Real Estate, Marketing, IT, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Human Resources, Learning & Development, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, and Property. As Co-Founder and CEO of Inspired Business Media, Leigh leads an award-winning global platform for executive engagement, connecting C-suite leaders from Fortune 500, FTSE 250, and leading enterprise organisations across EMEA and North America. Leigh's background in marketing strategy and innovation defines his approach. He is trusted by senior executives worldwide for his insight, commercial clarity, and ability to anticipate change. Through Inspired's advisory boards, private roundtables, and a close executive network, Leigh maintains a constant ear to the ground, staying ahead of technology trends and business transformation.

Red Honey Marketing

Red Honey is a creative digital agency that helps brands grow with stylish and results-driven strategies. Specialising in social media management, content creation, branding, and digital campaigns, the agency combines creativity with data-driven insights to deliver measurable impact. With a minimalist yet vibrant approach, Red Honey Marketing on clarity, professionalism, and personality, ensuring every campaign reflects the brand’s identity while engaging its audience. From building online presence to driving sales and strengthening brand awareness, the agency provides tailored solutions that make marketing simple, fresh, and effective.