Meet the Team
Our team are qualified professionals with a wealth of experience across Education, Healthcare, Third Sector / Charity, Business, Executive Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development.
Dr Shannon Babbie
FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
Dr Babbie is a veteran educator with over 25 years of experience. He has held nearly every role in the sector—from teacher and headteacher to school superintendent and HR Director. He also sits on the board of directors of a national autism charity.
His university research and teaching focuses on the intersection of autism & neurodiversity, education, policy, and inclusive practice. Dr Babbie is dedicated to creating inclusive environments where innovative connections flourish between students, faculty, employers, and the wider community.
Andrew McLaughlin
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Andy leads the effort to future-proof the Belonging Quotient™ platform by integrating emerging technologies and ensuring the platform can scale to support a growing global network of accredited organisations. He also ensures data integrity and security protocols to protect client information and proprietary research, ensuring that our work is backed by a secure, professional infrastructure.
Andy is a lecturer in Education at the University of Aberdeen. Following 8 years working in the IT sector, Andy spent 15 years in secondary schools, as a teacher and, latterly, as a council-wide leader with a focus on closing attainment gaps through intentional and deliberate interventions. Andy's teaching and scholarship focus on how we lead and shape human-centred learning experiences in the post-digital age. Andy is also an Advisory Board member for Impact School Improvement Ltd.
James Finnie
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
With over 25 years experience in social enterprise development, James is a respected leader in his field. He has worked for the largest largest social enterprise development agency in the UK and also headed up the International Social Enterprise Observatory (ISEO), which supports the growth of Scottish social enterprises internationally and supports international social enterprises looking to do business in Scotland.
Vicky Simpson
ASSOC. ASSESSOR
Vicky is a lecturer in Education and Early Childhood Care at the University of Aberdeen. Her work is driven by a deep passion for play, play spaces and inclusive practice within early years and primary education.
Vicky's research is focussed on playfulness in the Scottish Primary Context, exploring how playful pedagogies can support inclusive learning environments and meaningful engagement for all children.
Dr Barbara Gorgoni
TECH TRANSFER EXEC.
& STEM AMBASSADOR
Barbara’s role at the University of Aberdeen is to support academics in engaging public audiences with their work and discoveries. She also develops and coordinates public engagement activities across the biomedical sciences and supporting researchers to develop their public engagement portfolio. This involves co-development of research projects, building relationships with external organisations and understanding industry’s challenges and priorities.