Our People

Paul D has been at Highland BlindCraft since December 2006!

Originally stepping in for a two-week trial, Paul's talents quickly extended his stay to a full-time gig.

You'll often find him in the mattress shop, where he works his

magic on the tape-edge machine. However, Paul's skills don't stop there - his

ability to tackle various tasks around the factory makes him an invaluable asset to the team, from general maintenance to days out delivering in the van.

Despite facing challenges with dyslexia, Paul's determination

and training provided at Highland BlindCraft have helped his confidence and given him the tools to live independently.

When he's not at work, Paul indulges his creative side with projects like crafting wooden models and tinkering with DIY endeavours at home.

Here's to Paul—our cheerful multitasker who keeps the spirit of teamwork alive with every task he tackles!

Geoff has been with Highland BlindCraft for almost 29 years! Starting his working life as a fabricator welder he worked all over the UK. 

When Geoff was just 26, he had a tussle with a motorbike that landed him in the hospital for a good spell, followed by some quality time recuperating at home. The ordeal left Geoff with a few souvenirs—a quirky memory and a slight wobble in his step.

Fast forward to 1995, Geoff found himself at Highland BlindCraft. Over the years, he's become quite the artisan, especially when it comes to crafting headboards. Need one in a particular size or shape? Geoff's your guy! He'll even dress it up in any fabric you fancy -turning dreams into reality, one headboard at a time.

Sure, Geoff's memory might have its own unique rhythm, but that's where his trusty 'little black book' swoops in, keeping him on track. Despite life's curveballs, working at Highland BlindCraft has been a routine for Geoff whilst allowing him to maintain his independence.

And when the workday winds down, you can find Geoff kicking back with a pint of lager, soaking in the joys of village life. Cheers to Geoff—the headboard wizard with a heart of gold!

Now enjoying a happy and well-deserved retirement!

Evan's journey with Highland BlindCraft began in 1977, fresh-faced at 21.

After attending the Blind School in Edinburgh, he ventured up north to Inverness and found his people alongside the mattress-making team. Forty-six years later, Evan calls himself one of the lucky ones, grateful for a job that has been his anchor through the decades.

Working at Highland BlindCraft since 1993, Diane is a true source of positivity, always ready with a smile and an uplifting story!

Living with learning difficulties Diane has received training in all aspects of mattress making – she has a real passion for hand tufting.This technique ensures that the layers of the mattress are securely buttoned together, preventing any shifting, or bunching over time.

When she is not working Diane loves making jewellery or reading, anything from mystery to romance and cherishes moments with her family and pets.

Introducing Christabel, our sewing room superstar with a journey as inspiring as her stitches! 

Her career kicked off with a youth opportunity scheme at the Western Isle Council, manning the switchboard and after a chance encounter with the Inverness Job Centre, she found herself drawn to a vacancy at Highland BlindCraft back in …..

Taking a leap of faith, she relocated from the Western Isles to Inverness, finding temporary refuge at the YWCA. Starting in the sewing room, where she still works her magic today, Christabel's talents extend beyond fabric—she's a dab hand at crafting mattresses and divan bases too.

Moving cities at 19 is daunting for anyone, let alone with a disability, but Christabel's bravery paid off handsomely. Not only did she find fulfilment in her career, but she also found love and built a home in Inverness with her two daughters.

When she's not threading needles and whipping up wonders in the sewing room, Christabel's adventurous spirit takes her travelling, to music gigs, and visiting friends. A quiet weekend in? Not for Christabel—she's always up for a new adventure!

Jamie started at Highland BlindCraft at just 16 years old, straight out of school Jamie came in as a drivers helper, he loved going out in the van where no two days were the same.

Transitioning to the base shop, Jamie honed his craft, delighting in the creation of high-quality bases, especially relishing the challenge of crafting storage bases and fulfilling bespoke orders.

Just last year, Jamie's dedication and skill were rewarded with a promotion to stores supervisor—a testament to his hard work and leadership qualities. Now, he orchestrates the production of bases and headboards with finesse, ensuring smooth delivery schedules and efficient production times.

Outside of work, Jamie's adventures continue. Whether he's scoring goals on the football field, soaking in the atmosphere at festivals, or losing himself in the rhythm of music, Jamie knows how to make every moment count.

Operations Manager, Neil T, who has been a member of the team for nearly 16 years.

Neil joined us because of his struggles with anxiety, starting off in the mattress workshop using the taper edger. Gradually Neil began to help out in almost every department at Highland BlindCraft, working in the base shop, the storeroom and eventually ended up as factory manager before becoming our operations manager in June 2023!

Neil likes to be kept busy – something that’s easy here at Highland BlindCraft! He loves that no two days are the same but, above all else, he loves the people and how close everyone is.

When he’s not busy at work, he likes to go bowling, do cross-stitch at home and walk his dogs. He also has at least 20 pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits AND tortoises – that’s practically a zoo! 

Paul B came to Highland BlindCraft as a part time Sales Assistant in 2021 after working for 22 years in banking. Wow! That’s a long time!

He then progressed into the position of Contract Assistant, this meant he was the first point of contact for business customers – In January 2022 he was promoted to showroom supervisor ensuring staff are happy and orders processed correctly.

Paul likes to be kept busy, no two days here at Highland BlindCraft are the same and working here supports local businesses and people. He likes the fact that everyone at HBC feels like being in a tight knit community, where we are there for each whenever someone is in need.

When Paul isn’t at work, he likes to spend time in his garden, listening to music and collecting antiques and curios.

Mickey has been with Highland BlindCraft for nearly 40 years!

Despite the challenges he faces with his memory and literacy, Mickey’s contributions to our organisation are invaluable. Mickey works in our divan shop crafting brilliant bases, showcasing his exceptional skills, putting care and to detail in every piece he creates. 

Outside of work, Mickey can be found enjoying his two passions : movies and music. Whether it’s immersing himself in the newest films or learning about classic cars there’s never a dull day with Mickey!

Meet Rachel, our creative marketing wizard who's been with Highland BlindCraft for 3 years! As our Marketing Coordinator, she's the mastermind behind getting the word out about our amazing products and services. Got an idea that will put BlindCraft on the map?

Outside of work, you can find her on an adventure—whether it's travelling to new places, enjoying time with friends and family, or snuggling up with her cat Beanie for a movie marathon. She's always up for fun and brings that energy to everything she does!