COLUMBA 1400
Board of Trustees
Our trustees support Columba 1400’s work through good governance.
David Ogilvy
Trustee
David Ogilvy - Trustee
David is a Partner with Turcan Connell where he heads up the Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Department and has management responsibility within Turcan Connell for risk and regulatory compliance.
He previously served a term as Chairman of the Employment Tribunal and he is a panel member hearing appeals before the Police Appeal Tribunal. He is currently completing a term on the Board of Examiners of the Law Society of Scotland.
He sits on the board of governors of an independent school and has previously held board appointments with a college of further education and Leuchie House, which is a charity offering respite to people with multiple sclerosis.
David has two children and his main interests are cycling, walking and gardening.
Jamie Livingston
Co-Chair
Jamie Livingston - Co-Chair
Jamie is the CEO and Chair of Livingston James Group, a portfolio of boutique Executive Search & Leadership Advisory businesses launched in 2010. The group has three brands: Livingston James (Executive Search & leadership Advisory), Rutherford Cross (Senior Finance Appointments) and Hamilton Forth (Technology & Change Appointments). Prior to setting up the business, his early career was spent in the UK & Ireland with Hays and then Michael Page (Page Group).
Beyond his professional career Jamie is Regional Chair for The Wooden Spoon Society, a rugby charity focussed on supporting disadvantaged young people. He also plays a supporting role to his wife, Chloe, in ‘Project Present’ and ‘Back to school packs’ – community initiatives that they co-founded in partnership with their Church and local authorities in the west of Scotland to provide resources and support to young people in the local community.
He and Chloe live in Glasgow with their two children and Australian Labradoodle ‘Rocky’.
Jessica Chappelle
Young Person Consultant
Jessica Chappelle - Young Person Consultant
This new role has been created to champion the voice of young people so that their views are at the heart of all decisions made by the board.
Jessica took part in our Young People's Leadership Academy in 2016. She is now 19 and in the first year of studying psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University, whilst also working part time in a hotel and doing voluntary work.
She says: "I'm really excited to be a part of this new chapter for Columba 1400 and to have the opportunity to take on this role. It is already an amazing organisation and through adding myself and Marysia [our other Young Person Consultant] to the board they are making it even better, by saying that they value young people's opinions, and they want to listen to us."
Jessica lives at home with her parents, two younger sisters and golden retriever Aoife.
In her spare time, she loves reading, spending time with friends, going to concerts and listening to Taylor Swift.
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Judith McKay
Trustee
Judith McKay - Trustee
With 30 years’ experience of media, Judith was previously Director of Communications, Engagement and Public Affairs at NHS Lothian where she provided internal and external communications advice and strategies to help the NHS serve its community. Judith has a background in journalism, spending over 20 years at the BBC where she was a former Editor of BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland. She has worked as a TV producer, director and series editor making news programmes and current affairs documentaries based in Scotland, London and the USA. Judith is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Marysia Wojtylo
Young Person Consultant
Marysia Wojtylo - Young Person Consultant
This new role has been created to champion the voice of young people so that their views are at the heart of all decisions made by the board.
Marysia took part in our Young People’s Leadership Academy in 2017. She is now 19 and in her second year of studying psychology at Edinburgh University.
She says, “Before I started my Columba 1400 leadership academy, I was terrified. I had never been so far away from home before; I was shy and always preferred to stay within my comfort zone.”
The five-day residential in Skye marked a turning point in her life and she started to feel a drive to pursue a career where she could work with people.
“Now, if I have a challenge in my life, I look inwards to see what I can do. If I hadn’t had the Columban experience, I wouldn’t have been able to do some of the amazing things I’ve done since then. Taking part helped me realise who I want to be.”
“I’m so happy to have been appointed as a Young Person Consultant and excited to represent the voice of young people on the board at Columba 1400.”
Marysia also works part-time as a Youth and Children’s worker in a community centre where she is able to connect to her community and work alongside young people and families.
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Michael Donaldson
Co-Chair
Michael James Donaldson - Co-Chair
Mike lives in St Andrews with his wife and three children. As the Executive Chairman of James Donaldson & Sons Ltd, he is the sixth generation to work for the business which was established in 1860. After starting out on the shop floor, he has now worked for the three largest companies in the Donaldson Group. He graduated from Robert Gordon University with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies in 2002. He also studied at Napier University, becoming one of the first to gain an MSc in Timber Industry Management in 2007. Currently a Director of the James Donaldson & Sons Group of companies, Mike sits on the Governing Board of the Timber Trade Federation.
Stephen Abram
Trustee
Stephen Abrams - Trustee
Steve joined the Board of Columba 1400 in 2019 and chairs our Audit Committee. He has an extensive background in commercial business, with experience of managing and directing a privately-owned company within the maritime industry. Steve is currently a Director of Henry Abram Ltd and served as Director to Henry Abram & Sons from 1991 – 2014.
COLUMBA 1400
Staff Team
Alex Matheson
Head Chef
Alex Matheson - Head Chef
Alex was brought up on the Isle of Skye and trained to be a chef in his hometown of Portree. He then moved to the central belt and studied design, before moving back to Skye in 2007. He joined the Columban team in 2008 and is now in the process of buying his first home.
Alice Brown
Tutor
Alice Brown - Tutor
Previously Head Teacher of Tollcross Primary and Depute Head Teacher of Bonaly and Sciennes primary schools in Edinburgh, Alice is an SQH graduate and field assessor who has coached and mentored many head teachers and aspiring head teachers. During her time at Tollcross, she led the school from being a combined English and Gaelic Medium School to becoming Edinburgh’s stand-alone Gaelic Medium School. Alice has a strong interest in leading curriculum change, supporting the development of Creativity in Science for Education Scotland, working on science development for the City of Edinburgh Council, setting up a science laboratory in Sciennes and building a team of science mentors across her school cluster. She has developed cultural and educational links across many countries and helped create the junior award scheme with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. She continues to support sport development and has been a committee member of the Edinburgh Primary School Sports Association for 25 years.
Allyson Dobson
Tutor
Allyson Dobson - Tutor
Allyson began her career as a teacher of chemistry and science at Broughton High School, Edinburgh. Her professional journey has taken her through a range of roles in the Lothians, including assistant principal teacher of science at Musselburgh Grammar School, principal teacher of chemistry at Forrester High School and depute head teacher at Portobello High School. She also enjoyed a two year secondment to Learning and Teaching Scotland from 2008 to 2010. Part of this secondment involved Allyson working as a professional advisor to Scottish Government.
Allyson recently retired from her post as head teacher of Dalkeith High School, a post she held for seven years, and now has more time to enjoy her hobbies of walking, reading and cooking. She was presented with the award for Head Teacher of the Year at the Scottish Education Awards in June 2022.
Andrew Whitehead
Administrator
Andrew Whitehead - Administrator
Andrew is currently studying Business and Management at university. Born in Perth, Andrew moved to Skye in 2012 and joined the Columba 1400 team in 2018 as part of his work experience. In his spare time, he enjoys restoring old vehicles, travelling and photography.
Andy Crozier
Facilitator
Andy Crozier - Facilitator
Andy is interested in creating social change through education, and promoting awareness to support those who need it most. Working for Columba 1400 gives him the opportunity to fulfil his personal ambitions and to build on his experience supporting individuals and communities.
Whilst studying community education at university, Andy volunteered for the Prince’s Trust. He worked with young people from a variety of backgrounds with a focus on mental health. Andy is passionate about mental health, and he believes providing young people with mental health support is key to supporting their wellbeing and enabling them to build confidence and achieve their goals.
Outside of work Andy enjoys supporting his football team and likes a wee night out boogieing in the Shawland's discotheques!
Calum MacSween
Tutor
Calum MacSween - Tutor
Calum began his teaching career in Dumfries and Galloway, moving on to posts in Portree, Fortrose, Tain and Inverness, latterly as Head of Education at Highland Council, before retiring in 2014. In retirement, he became involved in a range of educational initiatives such as Learning for Sustainability (LfS) and Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) before concentrating time and energy into Columba 1400.
Why Columba 1400? In 2007 Calum participated in a Columba 1400 Head Teacher Leadership Academy. He says: "15 years on I still feel an enormous personal and professional benefit from that experience. It is now a privilege to be involved in facilitating Columba 1400 experiences for others."
Caroline MacKenzie
Facilitator
Caroline MacKenzie - Facilitator
Caroline moved to Skye from Bedfordshire in 2000 with her parents and has stayed in Scotland ever since.
After studying BA Business and Management at Inverness, she returned to Skye after the passing of her mum to help look after her dad.
Shortly after her return, she met John, and they married six months later in 2008. They have 3 children – Archie, the eldest and twins, Rebecca, and George.
Before joining Columba 1400 in June 2022, Caroline worked as a postie for 15 years all over Skye and latterly in Staffin.
In her spare time – after tending to the animals on their croft – she enjoys gardening, baking, drawing, kayaking and hill walking with the family.
Catherine Macdonald
Housekeeper
Catherine Macdonald - Housekeeper
Catherine was born and brought up on Skye. She left at the age of 16 and spent seven years in Inverness before moving to London for 22 years. Catherine moved back to Skye in 2016. She joined Columba 1400 in 2021.
In her spare time, Catherine enjoys walking and photography.
Cathy Mackay
Housekeeper
Cathy Mackay - Housekeeper
Cathy was born and brought up in Scalpay, Isle of Harris. She left in 1977 to come to Skye and worked in the hostels as a housekeeper for a couple of years until she got married. She has a family of three. When her eldest started school she got a job as a carer in residential and nursing homes which she did for 21 years.
Cathy joined Columba 1400 in February 2018. When she isn’t working Cathy enjoys knitting and reading.
Cathy Quinn
Tutor
Cathy Quinn - Tutor
Cathy was previously a Primary Headteacher in Sacred Heart Primary and St Bernadette’s Primary in Falkirk. She moved to Clackmannanshire Council in 2016 as Improving Outcomes Manager and was latterly Chief Education Officer before retiring in September 2022.
Cathy has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Throughout her career she has been passionate about improving learning and life experiences for children and young people and reducing social inequalities. She has always been committed to coaching and nurturing future school leaders.
She said: ‘I have seen first hand the difference Columba 1400 experiences have made for school leaders and young people in Clackmannanshire and beyond. I am delighted and excited to be part of the Columban tutor team.’
Cathy lives in Cumbernauld; she is married, enjoys travelling and spending time with her two children and seven grandchildren.
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Catriona Nicolson
Facilitator
Catriona Nicolson - Facilitator
Catriona has lived in Skye all her life, she is married with two grown-up boys. While the boys were growing up she worked as a hairdresser, waitress and a care assistant.
Catriona worked with the charity Blythswood Care as a shop coordinator. In this role she enjoyed visiting schools to speak about the shoe box appeal. She also worked as a project manager doing market research with Farmers in England.
Catriona left an admin job with the NHS to join the Columba 1400 team in Nov 2018.
In her spare time, she goes walking, plays with her Cocker Spaniel and enjoys gardening.
Christina McLeod
Kitchen
Christina McLeod - Kitchen
Christina was born and grew up in Skye. Christina worked as an au pair in Canada for a number of years, before coming back to Skye. She worked in Early Childhood Education till joining Columba in 2020. Christina lives in Staffin with her husband and their two cats Maisy and Millie.
Christine Deeley
Tutor
Christine Deeley - HTLA Tutor
Born and brought up in Aberdeen, Christine has lived in Perth for many years after spending a couple of years in Bordeaux thanks to her degree in French and German. She taught in Perth and Kinross and was Head Teacher of Crieff High School for 11 years. She was a Campus Leader and spent a couple of years working as a staff tutor for modern languages with a particular focus on modern languages in primary schools. She also co-authored Metro pour l’Ecosse, a course for secondary level French in Scotland. Christine is a qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guide and her hobbies include walking, reading and cooking. She is married with three children, two stepchildren and eight grandchildren.
Colin McKerchar
Head of Innovation
Colin McKerchar - Head of Innovation
Colin has worked in various roles in recent years, most recently serving as Interim Chief Executive for Sistema Scotland, a charity aiming to create social transformation through participation in music. His early career was spent at the BBC, where his roles included Head of Talent, Senior Radio Producer and Broadcast Journalist. Colin is a qualified coach with over six years’ experience working at executive level across large companies, SMEs and third sector organisations.
Douglas Simpson
Tutor
Douglas Simpson - HTLA Tutor
Douglas taught science and biology in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire for 14 years before becoming Head Teacher of Fortrose Academy in 1989. He led the school for 22 years until retiring in 2011 – apart from one year as Acting Head Teacher of Nairn Academy. He also served as an Associate Assessor with HMIE for a number of years.
Drew Drummond
Tutor
Drew Drummond - School of Education Leadership Academy Lead
Drew Drummond is highly regarded for his coaching and interpersonal skills work. His experience spans from the corporate sector supporting a range of different executives and teams in leadership development, to the not-for-profit sector with Columba 1400 and the public sector working with a number of Local Authorities across Scotland. These experiences combined with a wide range of networks have helped him and those with whom he works to realise the importance of values led leadership. An accredited Mediator with a postgraduate diploma in HR Management, Drew uses the structure and framework of Mediation to create a comfortable and confidential setting and environment. This enables Drew to listen and to challenge individuals and teams to consider their relationships and ongoing Leadership style and contributions from a values base towards creating both brand and culture. Drew’s passion for Leadership and considered perspectives provides a creative approach of eliciting potential within, as opposed to analysing and refining pre-existing models.
Gordon McKinlay
Tutor
Gordon McKinlay - Tutor
Gordon is a husband, father and grandfather who started teaching science and computing in schools in Greenock. He also worked with Renfrewshire Council until recently, where he undertook a number of roles including over ten years as a head of service.
He became a mediator through the University of Strathclyde MSc programme and seeks to use mediative and negotiation skills in freelance leadership development, coaching and conflict engagement.
He loves supporting people in their own growth and continues to seek opportunities to do this as an associate tutor with Strathclyde University’s Into Headship programme, as a freelance coach and mediator as well being a tutor with Columba 1400.
Heather Hastie
Partnership Facilitator
Heather Hastie - Partnership Facilitator (Place-Based YPLA)
After graduating from university with a degree in Marketing and Advertising, Heather very quickly realised that she wanted to spend her life working in a hands-on role which is what she’s been doing ever since. She is passionate about working with people and mental health, especially with regards to young people, and likes to show an aspect of that in everything she does!
Before joining Columba 1400 in 2021, she worked in a Young Persons Supported Accommodation in Glasgow and absolutely loved her time there! Here at Columba 1400 Heather works in our place-based delivery team and is often out and about in the central belt of Scotland working with young people. She also runs our delivery team’s Continuous Professional Development work and helps to organise social activities for our team.
Outside of work Heather loves spending time exploring Scotland with her friends, going to as many gigs as possible and cosying up on the couch with a great book! Heather is also a massive rugby fan and spends a lot of her weekends out supporting her local, professional, or national teams!
Jackie Gillies
Columba 1400 Ambassador
Jackie Gillies - Columba 1400 Ambassador
Hailing from Glasgow, Jackie has lived on Skye for over 30 years and has been a Columban since we opened the Staffin centre in 2000. After starting out working in the restaurant, she was soon snatched up for the role of Centre Co-ordinator and became Centre Manager in 2009. Jackie lives on a croft in Staffin with her husband and two daughters.