Stephen is an investment specialist, having worked for Goldman Sachs for twenty years, the last eight years of which he was a managing director. He is now a consultant focussed on finance, healthcare, and innovation. Stephen has previously served on a number of health boards, including Tayside as a non-executive director. He is currently a governor of Strathallan School. Stephen joined the board of The Gannochy Trust in 2016, and served as vice chair from February 2019 to June 2023. He was appointed chair in July 2023.
Roland spent his working life as a town planner with Perth and Kinross Council and its predecessor, latterly as the Head of Planning, before taking early retirement and working in Zambia with the Voluntary Service Overseas. Roland has extensive experience with charities, having been a trustee for a number of local and national organisations. Roland has recently stepped down after 9 years as a Commissioner of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. Roland joined The Gannochy Trust in 2017 and was appointed vice chair in July 2023.
Ailsa trained as a journalist and had a successful career in public relations before moving into fundraising. She has worked with a number of charities and currently works in the Development Department of the Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre. Ailsa’s previous roles have been with Poppyscotland and Scottish Ballet. She has also volunteered for the children’s panel and has a particular interest in housing. Ailsa joined The Gannochy Trust in 2020.
Ruth has worked in the charitable sector for nearly thirty years and currently works as the Fundraising Manager for Refuweegee. Previously Ruth’s focus was in the performing arts working with organisations such as National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and 7:84 Theatre Company. Ruth has a particular interest in supporting vulnerable children and young people. She has volunteered for the children’s panel and is currently a respite foster carer. Ruth joined The Gannochy Trust in 2020.
Karen has held numerous senior positions within the public sector including her current role as Chief Executive of NHS Education for Scotland. Prior to this, she was Chief Executive with the Care Inspectorate, Perth and Kinross Council and Interim Chief Executive of Education Scotland. She has been a member of the Court at the University of Dundee, Chair of the University Audit and Risk Committee and sat on the General Medical Council Scotland Advisory Group during her time at the Care Inspectorate. Karen was recently appointed as an Honorary Professor at the University of Dundee. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Karen joined The Gannochy Trust in 2022.
David qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in London, before moving to Guinness and then Diageo where he carried out various head office finance roles. During this time, he qualified as an Associate Member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. David moved to Gleneagles in 2001 as Finance Director and became Joint Managing Director in 2019. He currently continues as a Non-Executive Director at Gleneagles and also operates as a consultant in the area of corporate finance. David joined the Gannochy Trust in 2024.
Michael spent much of his career as a commercial property lawyer and was a partner in three substantial UK commercial law firms during this time. He is also a Trustee of The National Trust for Scotland and of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. At NTS he has been involved in their Nominations Committee, their Fundraising Committee and Project Oversight Committee whilst at FSLT he chairs the Governance and Compliance Committee. Michael joined the Gannochy Trust in 2024.