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 studying psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University, whilst also working part time 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.
Anna Grelewska
Administrator
Anna Grelewska - Administrator
Anna is originally from Poland. She moved to Scotland in 2006 with the intention to go back to her home country after five years, but she fell in love with Scottish hospitality, sights and food and decided to stay a bit longer.
Anna has a master’s degree in Polish Philology. Her childhood dream was to be a teacher but she chose a different path whilst in Scotland and studied Administration and IT at Edinburgh College.
Anna has been with Columba 1400 since August 2022 and loves being a part of an organisation which focuses on young people, families and those around them.
She lives in Edinburgh with her husband, two sons, cat, hamsters and African snail!
In her spare time she likes to read and explore the great outdoors.
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.
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)
Heather 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 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!
Heather is based in Glasgow.
Four facts about Heather:
Her favourite snack is Chip'N'Dip.
Her favourite animal is a wolf.
Her favourite film is The Impossible.
The person in the world she most admires is her mum.
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.
Jim Howe
Delivery Manager
Jim Howe - Delivery Manager: Place-Based Young People
Jim joined the Columba 1400 team in August 2018 having previously worked in sales with William Grant and Whyte and Mackay. Since his big change in career, Jim has absolutely loved witnessing the positive changes in young people when they work alongside Columba 1400 as well as the variety and fun involved when working with young people. He is passionate about what we do and has recently enjoyed bringing Leadership Academies to young people in their communities.
Jim lives in Edinburgh with his wife Julia and son James. They can often be found exploring the food on offer in the city. Jim loves football and has had season tickets at Celtic Park for many years, where he goes with his dad come rain or shine. He is very lucky to have travelled much of the world and can’t wait to do more of this with his family moving forward.
John Christie
Tutor
John Christie - HTLA Tutor
John taught Religious and Moral Education in schools in Scotland and England before joining the Education Directorate in Stockport. He then worked as an Assistant and Depute Director of Education in Tayside and was appointed the first Director of Education for the Scottish Borders. During that time he held several ministerial appointments and non-executive board positions on national bodies. He has worked as an education consultant in the UK for 20 years providing support and advice in the public sector. He helped to develop the Virtual Staff College Scotland for ADES from its inception in 2002 and worked as its part-time Director until 2016.
For ten years he worked closely with Norman Drummond on a residential leadership programme for senior members of the education directorates in Scotland as well as senior health and social care staff and civil servants.
He lives in St Andrews and is married with two daughters, and three grandsons.
Jonathan Godfrey
Partnerships Facilitator
Jonathan Godfrey - Partnerships Facilitator
Jon began working with young people in his late teens - volunteering in his local area and on residential summer camps. In 2002 Jon began working full time in youth and children's work and moved to Glasgow from his home city of Derby. Jon spent five years working for The Salvation Army as a Divisional Youth Officer for West Scotland. He then became a residential support worker with a local council, working with children and young people before later taking on a role to develop their Champions Board. Jon joined Columba 1400 in January 2020.
Karen Jarvis
Tutor
Karen Jarvis - Tutor
Karen, originally from Stirling, began teaching in 1991. During her career she taught Biology and Science and held leadership positions across Highland, Fife, Edinburgh and West Lothian.
Karen was Headteacher of Linlithgow Academy for seven years during which time she became a Columba 1400 HTLA graduate. Karen describes the experience as having a significant impact on her professional and personal life. Karen is passionate about supporting the ongoing work of Columba 1400 and is delighted to be part of the team as a tutor across the whole range of experiences we offer. She loves being part of the delivery team which gives her job satisfaction because in her own words: ‘I love working with people!’
In her spare time, Karen walks her dog, Steve, and enjoys travelling to watch her son play cricket.
Karen MacDonald
Receptionist
Karen MacDonald - Receptionist
Karen started working with Columba 1400 when she was still at school, working as a housekeeper at the weekends. She moved onto reception after leaving school in 2004, then lived in Edinburgh for a few years where she worked at Murrayfield Rugby Stadium. She moved back to Skye in 2009, re-joining Columba in 2016 after a spell working in a hotel in Portree. She now splits her time between reception and helping out in the café. Karen has two sons, Lewis who is 8 and Ruaraidh who is 8 months old. When she has free time, Karen loves reading and catching up with her friends and on the odd occasion going out for dinner and drinks with them.
Karen Robertson
Finance Assistant
Karen Robertson - Finance Assistant
Karen joins us from Dew Products where she worked in accounts and admin for the company. She previously spent 10 years in an administration role with Dundee Rep’s Creative Learning Department. Karen has had a varied career including Artistic Director for the Sunday Post Magazine as well as running her own craft business in Dundee.
Katie Mackay
Strategic Operations Facilitator
Katie Mackay - Strategic Operations Facilitator
Katie's first experience of Columba was as a young person back in 2005 with her Ayrshire school Cumnock Academy. She says: "Since then Columba has inspired my attitude towards work and life in general. I originally was a young ambassador, I studied Sports Biomedicine at Dundee University, then laterally went to Glasgow Caledonian University to study Cosca Counselling. When I was a young ambassador I realised my passion for working with people and helping them realise their potential, as well as supporting them on that journey. So it was at this moment I knew that Columba 1400 was the right place for me to start my full time working career."
Katie loves spending time crafting or out walking with her partner and beloved Springer Spaniel Izzy.
Leah Dobbs
Partnership Facilitator
Leah Dobbs - Partnership Facilitator
Leah joined the Columba 1400 team shortly after completing both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Educational Studies. Her degrees focused on the importance of young people having access to additional support to thrive in life, regardless of background or schooling. This led to her finding Columba 1400 and pursuing her dream of helping young people. Working with us has given Leah the opportunity to help young people realise their full potential, and an opportunity to connect with young people on a personal level, which she loves! Leah also has a keen interest in educational policy.
Outside of work, Leah is a competitive Ultimate Frisbee player. She competed in the World Ultimate Club Championships 2022 in Ohio, Cincinatti and made it onto the Women's Great Britain's Indoor training squad in 2022. This year she has taken on the role of Spirit Captain in her elite Scottish Women's team, SCRAM. If you're wondering what on earth Ultimate Frisbee is, Leah is always excited to tell people about the expanding sport!
Linda Brown
Tutor
Linda Brown - HTLA Tutor
Linda started her teaching career in Glasgow, teaching chemistry and maths. However, her love of getting out of the city at the weekends and up into the hills brought her to live and work permanently in the Highlands and Moray.
During her teaching career she taught in several schools where pupils and staff participated in Columba 1400 Young People’s Leadership Academies. She found the difference Columba 1400 made to many of her young people’s confidence, self-esteem and just being able to recognise their potential was incredible. Presently, as part of the Columba 1400 team of HTLA facilitators, Linda feels it is a privilege to work alongside colleagues and participants on their leadership journeys.
Although not climbing so many Munros nowadays, Linda still lives in the Highlands and continues to enjoy keeping fit. She is often accompanied by her cocker spaniel – Douglas. Her other hobbies including cooking, reading, gardening and spending time with her family and friends.
Mairi Gillies
Administrator
Mairi Gillies - Administrator
Mairi was brought up on the Isle of Skye and started working in the weekends and holidays for Columba 1400 when she was 16. She left Skye for a year to study fashion and textiles in Glasgow, but city life wasn’t for her – she moved home the following year and has been with Columba 1400 ever since. In her spare time, Mairi enjoys crocheting, crafts, music, films and reading.
Maria Nicolson
Front of House
Maria Nicolson - Front of House
Maria is originally from Glasgow but has lived on the Isle of Skye since 1997. She joined Columba 1400 in 2006 as part of the housekeeping team before moving to the cafe full-time. When not at work Maria enjoys spending time with her family, reading and knitting.
Marie Clare Tully
Chief Executive
Marie Clare - Chief Executive
Marie Clare previously worked at Social Ventures Australia, one of Australia's most successful and respected not-for-profit organisations. She is Chair of SiMBA, a charity supporting bereaved parents affected by the loss of a baby at any stage during pregnancy by creating memories, trees of tranquillity, family rooms and support groups. She also served on The Promise Partnership Advisory Group, a £4m commitment from the Scottish Government to provide holistic support for people with experience of the ‘care system’ so that every child grows up loved, safe, respected and able to realise their full potential. #KeepThePromise
Matilda Olai
Facilitator
Matilda Olai - Facilitator
Matilda grew up in the south of Sweden and was an avid reader of fantasy books from an early age. Once she finished high school she decided to go travelling and visited South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. While volunteering for a camel trekking business in Australia she realised her love and passion for the outdoors. That passion brought her to Scotland, where she studied Adventure Education at the University of the Highlands and Islands. In 2021 she graduated with a First-class Honours degree. She is very happy to have become a member of the Columba 1400 team and to now live on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Matilda is passionate about having genuine conversations with young people – she wants to listen to their stories and understand their perspectives of the world and life. In her free time, she still loves a good fantasy book, eating a wide variety (and quantity) of food and being out and about on the hills. She can’t wait to explore the wild, rugged landscapes of Skye on her own two feet. During the summer months, she also loves going for swims in rivers, lochs and the sea.
Michelle Keenan
Head of Operations
Michelle Keenan - Head of Operations
Michelle joined us as partnerships coordinator in July 2022, and became Head of Operations in November 2023.
She brings with her a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience gained from senior management roles in voluntary, general practice and health and social care settings.
Having previously held chief executive officer roles at two successful charities - Edinburgh Headway Group and Lothian Autistic Society - she has experience of working both strategically and operationally, developing new areas of work, building, and maintaining partnerships to achieve collaborative outcomes, and managing risks and finances to ensure the organization is effective and efficient and projects are costed, quality assured and viable for the future.
In the past, she also managed a wide range of projects relating to both general practice and social work education and training.
Michelle is passionate about making a difference and helping others achieve their best and is delighted to be working as part of the Columban team.
In her spare time, Michelle enjoys walking and, having recently moved to East Lothian, feels privileged to have a beautiful coastline to explore and enjoy.
Morag MacKenzie
Cook
Morag MacKenzie - Cook
Morag was born in Glasgow and came to Skye in 1981. She met her husband Roddy and they married in 1982. They have two children and have been blessed with six grandchildren.
Morag has worked in various jobs but latterly has focused on catering. She worked at Columba 1400 between 2003 and 2006 and re-joining the team again in June 2022.
In her spare time, Morag loves baking for her family and being with her grandchildren.
Myra Hessett
Tutor
Myra Hessett - HTLA Tutor
Myra's involvement with Columba 1400 goes back to 2005 when she took part in a Young Ambassadors’ Programme – which she still says was the best CPD ever! This helped shape her approach during the ten years she spent as a Deputy Head Teacher in East Ayrshire. Myra studied counselling skills and CBT before becoming a CAMHS Project Officer in North Ayrshire, which involved promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people and the staff supporting them. She retired from this post in 2018 to focus on her work as a facilitator with Columba 1400. In her spare time, Myra volunteers with Victim Support Scotland, tries to hold a tune in her church choir, enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Nicola Brown
Team Leader
Nicola Brown - Team Leader
Nicola joined the facilitation team in September 2012. She is from Glasgow and has worked with young people in various settings since being a young person herself, including local youth clubs and The Boys’ Brigade. Nicola then went on to study Outdoor Education and work as an outdoor instructor after finishing her studies at North Glasgow College.
Island life has always been part of Nicola’s life, as her mum’s family are originally from Islay, so it’s no surprise she ended up living on a Scottish island!
After joining the delivery team as a facilitator, she now looks after the delivery team and enjoys this very much, as well as forming relationships with young people, listening to them, promoting positive behaviours and attitudes and generally chatting and drinking tea with the groups. Exploring and sharing the landscape of this amazing part of Scotland is also something she loves to do with the groups who visit Columba 1400.
Nicola enjoys a whole range of outdoor activities including stand up paddle boarding, hill walking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking.
Norman Drummond
Tutor
Professor Norman Drummond CBE, FRSE - HTLA and FCLA Tutor
Columba 1400 was founded by Professor Norman Drummond CBE, FRSE.
His early experiences in the Parishes of Easterhouse in Glasgow and West Pilton in Edinburgh, followed by Chaplaincies to The Parachute Regiment, The Black Watch, Fettes College and Headmaster of Loretto convinced him of the great need for young people to have time and space to think and discuss amongst themselves and so to begin to demonstrate their undoubted potential for initiative and good citizenship.
Norman created Columba 1400 to extend this concept.
Paul McLaughlin
Tutor
Paul McLaughlin - Tutor
Paul has been head teacher in St Ninian’s High School, Kirkintilloch in East Dunbarton since 2004, having previously held posts in St John Ogilvie High Sschool, Hamilton; Holyrood Secondary School, Glasgow; St Ninian’s High School, East Renfrewshire and St Stephen’s High School, Port Glasgow.
He first graduated at a Columba 1400 Head Teachers' Leadership Academy (HTLA) in 2006 and this experience transformed his view of school leadership. He then facilitated several Young People’s Leadership Academies in his school and encouraged involvement with Columba 1400 for many members of school staff. He graduated again at a HTLA in 2017 and has since then been working as a tutor for the HTLA when time allows.
Paul’s school has embraced all things Columba 1400 and can truly be described as a “Columban School”.
Sarah Philp
Tutor
Sarah Philp - Tutor
Sarah has always been interested in change, improvement and growth. As an educational psychologist she has supported children and young people, families, schools and communities to grow and improve in ways that are important to them.
In her role as principal educational psychologist Sarah has worked as part of the extended leadership team at council level and nationally as Director of Learning (Scotland) for Osiris Educational. Sarah now combines her psychological, coaching and facilitation skills as a tutor with Columba 1400.
With family roots on the Isle of Skye, Sarah can often be found on Skye. When not working you'll find her on a yoga mat, sea swimming or running around after her two young nieces.
Sharee MacKerron
Tutor
Sharee MacKerron - HTLA Tutor
Sharee is an experienced former Head Teacher, Senior Leader and teacher who has worked in schools for more than 30 years. She cares deeply about young people and their development and is fuelled by compassion, curiosity and kindness to try to live a life true to her soul.
She says: " I owe a great deal to colleagues and young people who made my experience and learning extraordinary in many ways. I feel privileged to be able to continue to serve others through my role as a Head Teacher Leadership Academy Tutor."
Stacey Campbell
Centre Manager
Stacey Campbell - Centre Manager
Stacey Campbell has worked at Columba 1400 since 2008 in various roles throughout the organisation and is currently in post as centre manager.
Stacey is from Staffin and lives close by with her husband Pop and son Chisolm.
Stacey enjoys walking with her dog in the local area and pottering around in the garden.
Stephanie Fox
Communications Manager
Stephanie Fox - Communications Manager
Stephanie joins us from Mary's Meals where she worked in the communications team for three years.
Prior to that she worked in the marketing and communications teams in the nutrition and publishing sectors, including ten years at the BBC where she was lucky enough to work alongside some of our national treasures including Sir David Attenborough and Sir Terry Wogan.
Stephanie is also a published writer - with her travel features appearing in publications including Marie Claire, The Sunday Telegraph, Traveller Magazine and The Mail on Sunday.
When she's not working Stephanie loves to spend time with her husband and young daughter and can often be found paddle boarding or swimming in the Scottish lochs.
Stephanie is based in Glasgow.
Four facts about Steph
Her favourite snack is hummus and crisps.
Her favourite animals are cats.
Her favourite film is Bridget Jones's Diary.
The person she admires most in the world is her best friend.
Willie Wight
Tutor
Willie Wight - Tutor
Willie is a graduate of Columba 1400 from 2007. He claims that this experience was the most significant professional development in his entire career. Willie has been a tutor with Columba 1400 since March 2017 supporting both the HTLA and the YPLA programmes.
Willie was born and educated in Easterhouse. He studied physical education at Jordanhill College before embarking on a teaching career with Glasgow City Council. His passion for working with young people and teaching sustained 41 years continuous service to families in Glasgow. He retired in January 2017 as Head Teacher of Hillhead High School.
Love for his family, sport, travelling, music and fun are what drives him. Helping and supporting others gives him purpose.
Yvonne Binks
Partnership Manager
Yvonne Binks - Partnership Manager
Yvonne is the Delivery Manager with responsibility for leading Columba 1400’s work within the Young People’s Residential Leadership Academies.
As a graduate from both the Young People’s Leadership Academy and the Headteacher’s Leadership Academy she is passionate about how values-based leadership helps young people recognise their potential and unlock their strength so that they can make a difference in their own lives and in their communities.
Yvonne considers it a privilege to work with young people and their families. She has extensive experience in education in a variety of roles within Pupil Support, Inclusion and Additional Support Needs. Prior to joining Columba 1400 she was Depute Head Teacher for 12 years at Preston Lodge High School. Within her career Yvonne has been seconded as Regional Officer within Scottish Government’s Positive Behaviour Team and as Quality Improvement Officer.
Zoë Jarvis
Partnerships Facilitator
Zoë Jarvis - Partnerships Facilitator
Zoë was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her life and work has been highly influenced by the extraordinary examples of courage and leadership she saw in her parents and uncles while growing up.
Zoë completed an Honours in Social Work and later a Masters in Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding. She has worked internationally as a facilitator in the field of Community Development and Human Rights focusing on Youth and Community.
She now lives in Glasgow with her husband Jean-Marc and her wee cats, Maggie and Max.