Meet The Team

Micheal Barthel - Managing Director

Michael Barthel is the Managing Director of Venture Books and a third year Business Management student at the University of Aberdeen. He has previous work experience in meeting and event supervision with a four star city centre hotel in Aberdeen. Additional experience includes University of Aberdeen Taekwon Do Club Publicity Coordinator. Michael's involvement with Venture Books applies practical business experience to create a fund for future entrepreneurial endeavors at the University of Aberdeen.

Lynda Thomson - Assistant Managing Director / Sales Director

Lynda Thomson is currently in her third year of a Business Management Honors Degree at Aberdeen and has moved up from sunny Ayrshire for studies. Lynda is Assistant Managing Director combined with Sales Director and therefore has a very active role in Venture Books. Being editor of her 6th year school yearbook Lynda has a good understanding of the process of building and selling yearbooks, along with her natural enthusiasm and communication skills. As a result of her experiences Lynda understands the process that you as a customer would expect Venture Books to deliver.

Laith al Khamis - Marketing Director

Laith is a second year business student. During the summer 2007, Laith spent time working with the Managing Director, Advisors and other Directors at Menzies Distribution. Laith's tasks included, working on the Carbon Footprint of the company, writing a report for the now Chief Executive Officer of Lagardere Services, assisting Directors and Advisors with day to day tasks as well as writing his own cost cutting proposal for the company.

Andrew Jackson - Operation Director

Andrew Jackson is a second year student at Aberdeen University studying Management. His role as the Operations Director involves web site content, documenting deadlines and organisation of the company computer and files. He has supervisory experience and enjoys rising to the challenge. Andrew has also worked in Portugal for a Polytechnic in Setubal where he was in charge of creating an information package for students, introducing them to the region and the Polytechnic. Additional project management experience includes creating links between Erasmus Universities around the world with the Setubal Polytechnic.

Scott Campbell - Finance Director

Scott is a third year Single Honours Accountancy student at the University of Aberdeen. His main duties include financial guidance through financial forecasts, pricing and assisting the other directors with financial decisions. Scott brings experience in the areas of budgeting and pricing, with previous experience working with company accounts, during his time spent with the Finance Department of Ginsters Foods.

Lyn  Batchelor - Mentor

Lyn Batchelor is a Lecturer in Management, University of Aberdeen Business School, Programme Leader, MSc Management, Innovation and Change, and is currently Acting Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship. Whilst having taught a number of subject areas, Lyn is currently Course Leader and lecturer in the New Venture Creation, Business Development, and Business Environment courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has jointly instigated the Master Class Lecture Series in Enterprise, and successfully raised funding for an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and is involved in the Blue Skies Business Plan Competition as a judge. Before joining the university sector, she worked as a photojournalist, retail manager, and business owner.