Meet the judges
We’re delighted to introduce the first tranche of judges for this year’s awards.
We’re delighted to introduce the first tranche of judges for this year’s awards.
Alastair Ferrans
Head of International Podcasts / Spotify
Alastair Ferrans is Head of International Podcasts at Spotify, leading podcast strategy and operations across international markets. His podcast journey began as a presenter on student radio at the University of St Andrews. After working with WPP in London, New York, and Singapore, he joined Gimlet Media, later acquired by Spotify. Since then, he has worked closely with creators, producers, and teams around the world to help podcasts grow audiences, develop sustainable models, and tell stories that resonate locally and globally. Originally from Glasgow, Alastair is passionate about the role podcasts can play in championing new ideas, fostering connection, and creative ambition.
Dylan Kelly
Founder & CEO / Maven
A commercially driven marketing and communications leader with a strong track record across sport, financial services, hospitality, and professional services. As Founder and CEO of Maven, he delivers strategic growth, digital transformation, and membership engagement for national brands, governing bodies, and complex stakeholder organisations. Drawing on senior roles he consistently builds high-performing teams and campaigns that drive measurable revenue and brand impact.
Gary Muircroft
Podcast Director / Go Radio
Gary Muircroft is an award winning Scottish Radio and Podcast Director, Broadcaster and Creative writer with over 30 years’ experience in the industry. His career has seen him lead programming teams as Regional Managing Editor and Regional Programme Director at Global and Bauer in Scotland. Gary is currently leading the talented Go Studios team where he has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country to develop and deliver audio and video content solutions that attract, delight and connect with audiences around the world.
Gina McKie
Radio Presenter & Event Host / Go Radio
Gina McKie is a top radio presenter and live event host. Gina hosts her Go Afternoons show 2.00pm-5.00 pm weekdays on Glasgow’s Own radio station Go Radio. Gina has worked in radio for her entire career and has studied subjects along the way such as psychology, counselling, and hypnotherapy. She also studied counselling, NLP and is a fully qualified hypnotherapist and a Reiki Master.
John McBlain
Podcast Producer, Host, Lecturer / Jonsan Media and Ayrshire College
John McBlain is an award-winning producer, educator, and podcasting expert based in Ayrshire. As owner and showrunner of Jon-san Media a versatile digital media company – he specialises in podcast production, audio journalism, music composition, and innovative productions for creators, charities and educational institutions. A lecturer in Media, Film & Broadcasting, Music & Performing Arts, and deep expertise in digital storytelling and emerging technologies, John has produced several acclaimed series which gained national recognition and multiple awards. His work has been commended by BBC Radio Scotland, industry bodies and has been recognised by the Scottish Government via Scottish Parliamentary Motions.
Lindsey Gardiner
Author, Illustrator, Lecturer
Lindsey Gardiner is an author/illustrator of children’s books and freelance artist. With over 30 books published worldwide in many different languages, Lindsey works from her WASPS studio on other varying art commissions, often linking up with charities, public engagement projects, sculpture trails and children’s book events through the Scottish Book Trust live literature programme. Her love of dogs features regularly in her artwork, books and collaborations, which has led to working with various dog rescue charity initiatives (and having a constant studio companion). Alongside this, Lindsey is also a Part-Time lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone college of art and design.
Lynsey Campbell
Client Director / Scoot
Lynsey Campbell is Client Director at Scoot – the digital marketing agency behind the brand and website for The Scottish Podcast Awards. With over 10 years in the digital marketing field, Lynsey’s connections with clients across Scotland have provided key insights into multiple industries and sectors. Off the clock, Lynsey’s experience is on stage. Her experience spans diverse genres and styles, from corporate performances and tribute acts to treading the boards in a myriad of roles in musical theatre.
Paul Mitchell
Sports Commentator & Broadcaster
One of Scotland’s most accomplished and versatile Sports Commentators covering over a dozen sports including Football, Bowls and Rugby Union at the highest level on both radio and television. Football credits include working on Domestic, European and International football in over 25 countries across many national TV and Radio platforms. Experienced podcaster including host of ‘Stramash’, running since 2018 it’s a weekly American football show that discusses all things NFL from a Scottish perspective. Selected by Nike to appear in their award winning 2014 World Cup advert as the commentator on ‘Winner Stays’ featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
Scott Sutherland
Managing Director / Scoot
Scott is Managing Director at Scoot Digital, the agency powering The Scottish Podcast Awards’ brand and website. With over 12 years’ experience in the digital marketing industry, Scott has worked with businesses of all sizes, helping them achieve sustainable growth through strategy-led, data-driven decision-making. His hands-on background across design, development, analytics and marketing enables him to bridge the gap between creative ideas and measurable results. Outside of agency life, Scott enjoys all elements of sport, in particular football & golf and is kept on his toes with his young family.
Viv MacLaren
Portfolio Marketing Director & Chair of Scottish Women's Football
Vivienne is passionate about sport, in particular women’s and girls’ football and has a keen focus on expanding the opportunities available to women and girls to take part in or return to sport. She is an award-winning marketing and digital specialist with 30 years’ experience spent in Scotland and London both client and agency side. She is also former MD and founder of an award-winning digital marketing agency, ad tech advisory board member and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
