About Me.
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh I have spent most of my working life in voluntary, local authority and government settings. My early career focused on youth work and community development in turn growing into an interest in the arts and creative activity as a context for personal and community development. This interest led eventually to the role of CEO at the Scottish Arts Council, then two years as Executive Director North in the Arts Council England. I returned to Scotland to take up a position as Executive Director of the Saltire Society, leaving after five years to focus on coaching and consultancy, as well as working as Coordinator for Amateo, the European network for active participation in culture.
On that career path I have continued to develop my own skills and understanding, including an MBA (OU), an Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing, and the Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Performance Coaching. Having benefited from the experience of being coached at a challenging time in my career I am confident that it can be a powerful tool for individual development.
See my CV here.
In a non-executive capacity was a founding trustee of Luminate, Scotland's Creative Ageing Organisation and I am chairman of Oxton Community Development Company Limited which runs the community shop in our local village.