Meet the team

  • Paul Cowie CEO Rural design Centre

    Paul Cowie

    CEO

    paul.cowie@ruraldesigncentre.com

    As the Chief Executive, Paul is responsible for the strategic development of RDC. Paul has over 15 years of experience in rural innovation both as an academic and a consultant. He has advised the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Island governments on rural innovation issues as well as a range of public and private sector organisations. Paul has published over 20 highly cited academic papers on rural innovation. Paul is currently working on projects to support rural skills and employability, community energy and rural connectivity.

    Connect with Paul on LinkedIn

  • Liz Gray

    Head of Innovation

    liz.gray@ruraldesigncentre.com

    Liz is involved in multiple projects, with a focus on supporting the development of community energy, emission reductions and community development. Key projects she is currently working on include a partnership with Northumberland County Council to support reducing emissions from agriculture and with Durham County Council to deliver community infrastructure projects.

    Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

  • Nick Devitt

    Head of Design

    nick.devitt@ruraldesigncentre.com

    Nick is a purpose driven design-led facilitator with 30 years’ experience of product, digital and service design. Nick develops and works across multiple projects at RDC.

    Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

  • Hilary Anderson

    Innovation Associate

    hilary.anderson@ruraldesigncentre.com

    Hilary’s work focuses on community energy opportunities and promoting community development in rural areas to empower local stakeholders, enhance sustainability, and foster economic growth. She provides project management and innovation expertise on various delivery strands in County Durham, working closely with Durham Community Action, the region’s leading infrastructure organisation, and Durham County Council.

    Connect with Hilary on LinkedIn

  • Dr. Ben Fisher

    Head of Projects

    ben.fisher@ruraldesigncentre.com

  • Dr. Katie Aitken-McDermott

    Innovation Associate

    katie.aitken-mcdermott@ruraldesigncentre.com

    Katie’s work currently focuses on supporting rural communities and organisations to design, develop, fund and deliver community infrastructure projects.

    Connect with Katie on LinkedIn

  • Hermina Ely

    Innovation Associate

    hermina.ely@ruraldesigncentre.com

    Hermina has a background in architecture, innovation and digital transformation in healthcare,  ageing and sustainability. Her current work explores socio-economic challenges facing farming in a changing climate, engaging with farmers, stakeholders and Northumberland County Council to co-design solutions.

    Connect with Hermina on LinkedIn

  • Simon Laing

    Rural Start-up Advisor

    simon.laing@ruraldesigncentre.com

    Simon delivers the Enterprising North pre-start business support programme in rural Northumberland and Gateshead. He provides 1-2-1 mentoring services and practical business planning tools, designed specifically for rural business. He also helps rural startups find funding for their ventures.

    Connect with Simon on LinkedIn

  • Jamie Campbell

    Jamie Campbell

    Design Research Lead

    jamie.campbell@ruraldesigncentre.com

    Jamie is a passionate Designer dedicated to helping the creation of sustainable and inclusive products and services. Currently working on a social research project within rural transport innovation, Jamie is looking at ways effectively understand, measure and report the social and environmental benefits of new rural transport developments.

    Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn