ABOUT US
Powering Scotland’s Next Global Success Stories
Founded in 2012, Gabriel Investment Syndicate was born from a single, pivotal conversation: a founder needed private funding to match an offer from Scottish Enterprise. Since that moment, we haven’t stopped investing in the potential of the Scottish ecosystem. Today, we are proud to be a leading early-stage syndicate, providing the vital first stage of capital that turns ambitious ideas into disciplined, high-growth businesses.
Our offering is unique because we believe funding is only half the story. While we provide the seed capital necessary to launch, the strategic business support afforded to our portfolio is often what truly enables them to scale. Through our established board of angels and business experts, we offer a level of mentorship that is like no other in the Scottish market.
A legacy of impact
We don't just invest; we leverage. Our track record speaks to the strength of our vetting and the value of our involvement.
£3.8 million
Directly invested in innovative Scottish entrepreneurs
£60 million+
Further funding leveraged through our investments
30+
Businesses in our current portfolio
Our Board
Alex Lusty
Alex is one of Scotland’s key angel investment leaders, backing ambitious founders with a clear-eyed plan for scale. She joined Gabriel as manager and gatekeeper in 2024, where she works with investors members, prospective investee companies and the growing Gabriel portfolio to build good outcomes for stakeholders.
Before moving into angel investment, Alex spent 18 years at NatWest in senior product, operations and change leadership roles. Over the following seven years at Equity Gap and Angel Capital Scotland, she developed her expertise in Scottish early stage investment, embracing dealmaking, commercialisation, governance, compliance and relationship management.
Alex enjoys working with founders and boards to build knowledge, capability and commercial results. Gabriel’s sector agnostic approach to investment means she supports companies developing innovative solutions in a wide range of exciting sectors including clean tech, circular economy, life sciences, medical devices and aerospace.
Gatekeeper
Graham McDonald
Graham McDonald is a versatile and commercially driven business leader with extensive private markets experience. He previously led the Private Equity and Venture Capital global business of Aberdeen Asset Management and Aberdeen Standard Investments after a successful career in banking.
He joined the Gabriel investment syndicate in 2022 and takes a keen interest in early stage companies in Scotland. During Covid Graham mentored a number of young companies whilst also completing the Oxford Artificial intelligence Programme at Said Business School, University of Oxford.
Graham worked with PXN group to raise their Series A Scale Up Fund and is an independent member of that investment committee. More recently and having helped with a successful fundraise Graham was appointed Non Exec Chair of Vaso Global a company which designs, develops and manufactures structural composite panels from recycled glass. He is also Senior Independent Director of Baronsmead Second Venture Trust.
Board Member
Lynne Ross
ChairBoard MemberLynne is an experienced early-stage investor and non-executive director with a focus on cleantech, sustainability and impact-led businesses. She has extensive board experience having served as chair and non-executive for a range of companies.
An investor with Gabriel since 2014, she chaired the syndicate from 2018 to 2026. Recognising the challenges and hurdles they face, she mentors a number of founding teams in addition to Gabriel portfolio companies.
Her career spans investment, commercialisation and the energy sector. Before moving into angel investing, Lynne held senior roles at SSE and ScottishPower, working across renewable energy, carbon sequestration and government relations.
She also lectured and researched in environmental law, policy and investment at the University of Edinburgh, following a career in institutional investment management. Lynne brings strong commercial judgement, good governance and pragmatism to founders and boards.
Magnus Swanson
Magnus is an experienced investor, mentor and board leader with a background in corporate law, corporate finance and business growth. He became Chair of Gabriel Investment Syndicate in September 2026, having previously served as a director and supported its businesses as an investor and mentor.
Following a 25-year career with Scottish law firm Maclay, Murray & Spens, Magnus moved into executive and non-executive roles. He served as Executive Chairman of Law At Work, leading its management buyout and subsequent growth. His board experience also includes chairing Golden Charter and the National Galleries of Scotland Foundation.
Having led the exits and realisation events of several businesses, Magnus brings first-hand experience to Gabriel’s portfolio. He is particularly focused on helping founders build value, navigate challenging conditions and prepare their companies for sustainable growth, investment and successful exits.
Les is an advisor and board director to early-stage technology companies across Scotland, with over 12 years of angel investing experience. He sits on the Gabriel board, bringing commercial and financial experience grounded in a technical background to help members, founders and investee companies build good outcomes.
Les began his career in traditional large-company IT roles, including British Steel and Campbell Lee, before joining the board of a London-based VC-backed company. He then led Essential Viewing Systems, a University of Strathclyde spin-out, from early stage through to global sales and a successful exit to a listed business. After the exit, he spent three years as Divisional Managing Director for the acquirer before founding Amber North in 2014.
Through Amber North, he works with start-ups, spin-outs and SMEs on strategy, commercialisation, governance, product development and AI strategy and implementation. Gabriel’s sector-agnostic approach means he supports companies across deep tech, software, medical devices and other innovation-led sectors in Scotland.
Board Member