Our People

Donald is from the Highlands and worked as a bookkeeper before retraining as a social worker, qualifying in 1990 when he moved to Tayside. Donald has previously been involved in shinty as a player, administrator and director and developed children protection policy and practice for sport in Scotland. In retirement, he has become a serious nature and wildlife photographer.

Gavin was born and educated in Dundee. He worked in insurance in Glasgow before moving to the joinery manufacturing trade, most recently with Dovetail. In addition to CHT, Gavin is involved with other charities: The Brae Riding for the Disabled, Transform, St John’s Ambulance and the Rotary Club. Gavin stays active with golf and cycling and enjoys travelling and reading in his spare time.

A chartered management accountant, Vicki has worked in a variety of sectors and is now Finance Director for the Altar Group. Vicki has seen the difference fostering can make to children’s lives personally and has volunteered as a mentor for care experienced young people. Vicky has grown-up children and a granddaughter and she spends her time exploring local towns and countryside, doing crafts and being around family and friends.

Eileen was an accountant before retirement and spent time working at CHT. Eileen is a Mum and Granny with the Granny bit being the best fun. She has many hobbies that include jewellery making, gardening, DIY, walking and Pilates classes.

Gillian grew up in Aberdeen, graduated from the University of Glasgow and has been settled in Perthshire since 1999. She is a shareholder and Operations Manager for a financial planning business in Dundee. Gillian has been actively supporting young people in different care situations by volunteering with Children’s Hearings Scotland for 4 years before joining CHT as a Panel Member and now a Board Trustee. Her own 2 children are teenagers and the family enjoys travelling together when possible.

Donald was born in Calcutta when his father worked in the jute industry. He returned to Scotland as a child and then completed a Law Degree. Donald joined a firm in Dundee that would become Blackadders – where he spent his career including serving as Managing Partner and Chairman. Charity work has occupied Donald since his youth and has been involved in junior Rotary, Dundee Tayside Round Table and the Rotary Club of Dundee. In addition to CHT and Rotary work, Donald enjoys hillwalking in Scotland and abroad as well as cycling and swimming.  

Steve is Commercial Director for an app and website developer. Having worked in sales and technology for 30 years and brings an extensive network and IT leadership to our Board. He is also the President of Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce. Steve splits his time between Angus and London and enjoys travel, Tottenham Hotspur and being a taxi driver to his two daughters.

Kenneth is a native of Dundee, educated at the High School before going on to the former Queen’s College to study law.  He was a solicitor for over 40 years, mainly in private practice, but also worked for a time in the Tayside Regional Council where one of his principal interests was in child-related matters. His involvement in that field continued as a member of the board of CHT for a number of years when the Trust was based in Haring House and then Roseangle. He is delighted to have resumed his involvement with CHT.

His leisure activities include hillwalking, golf and choral singing.

David graduated from Dundee University in 2018 and joined CHT the following year.  He completed student placements at MCFB (Multi-Cultural Family Base) in Edinburgh and Citizens Advice.  He has worked with different service user groups but knew he wanted to work with young people and families.

David enjoys playing and watching football and snooker and runs a fantasy football league. He is passionate about Scottish islands and visiting those lesser known ones that few people go to see.

David’s favourite thing about CHT is that his role is really varied and no two days are the same. He develops relationships with young people and carers, undertakes complicated assessments, is part of decision-making processes and ultimately supports whole families.

Joy is a qualified accountant with over 20 years’ experience in local authority before joining CHT in 2016.  Joy began her career at Tayside Regional Council before moving to Angus Council where she undertook a variety of roles, including latterly Service Manager within the finance service.

Joy enjoys travel, reading, going out with friends and family.

Being part of a community and having the opportunity to get to know all of the staff, carers, Board Members and meeting the young people is one the best things about working for CHT.

Charlene started her career in HR in the Scottish Government, before moving to the Highlands to work in a Private Member’s club. After a few years, Charlene returned to Perth and joined our organisation in 2016.

Charlene enjoys watching rugby, cycling, reading, attending metal gigs, TV.

Charlene’s favourite thing about CHT is the CHT Community.

Nicola joined CHT in 2019. She is a marketing and communications enthusiast who is experienced at working in social enterprises, start-ups and higher education where she can demonstrate the social impact an organisation makes. She once pursued her dream of opening and running her own gift shop.

Nicola has always loved reading and particularly enjoys the combination of reading and sunshine. She also enjoys the mood-lifting effects of running and Pilates.

Nicola’s favourite things about CHT is that people are encouraged to learn from mistakes, not avoid them at all costs.

Elaine joined CHT in June 2023. She has worked with children and families in different settings since 1993 and became a qualified social worker in 1997. Elaine has worked in secure and open provision for young people, as an education social worker and as a locality social worker.

Elaine is looking forward to new opportunities and challenges at CHT. She has worked alongside foster carers in previous posts and has an appreciation for the job that they do. 

Elaine enjoys walking her 9-month-old Labrador and runs when time allows. She enjoys reading for her book club, going on holiday and spending time with her friends and family.

Sara is a qualified social worker who joined the organisation in 2016. Sara has a breadth of experience having worked in a variety of local authorities during her career. Sara’s background is in child protection, youth justice and quality assurance.

Sara enjoys cooking, walking (rambling, not hillwalking) and she is rewilding her garden.

Sara enjoys the friendly, community feel of CHT.

Gill joined the team in 2014 as a supervising social worker before taking over as Team Leader in 2015.  Gill started her career in London before spending some time in Australia before returning to Scotland. Gill is a practice educator and through CHT offers work placements and support to social work students.

Gill enjoys spending time with her young family. As a family they love to go camping and love travelling. Gill also enjoys attending choir.

The lovely community of staff, carers and young people are Gill’s favorite part of working at CHT.

Calum joined CHT in May 2011 and has a varied working history which includes retail, pubs, call centres and as a trainer helping the unemployed back into work.

Calum is currently our administrative officer and his tasks include finance and panel administration to name a few.

Outside of CHT Calum enjoys football, gardening, DIY, movies and he used to play the bass guitar in bands.

Calum is our current CHT bake off champion for 3 years running. Calum’s favourite thing about CHT is the support we give to our young people.

Katie joined CHT in 2019 after finishing her Social Work degree at university. She started as a Young Person’s Support Worker and then moved over to the Supervising Social Worker role once her social work qualification came through.

Katie has had experience working with people with alcohol or substance dependency, individuals with hearing and sensory impairments, and has worked with children and families from multi-cultural backgrounds, including group work with refugee children. Prior to becoming a social worker, Katie has worked in various childcare settings and has supported children and young adults with Autism and learning disabilities.

Katie enjoys cooking and baking, walking with her two springer spaniels, and upcycling furniture.

Her favourite part about CHT is meeting and working with all the foster carers and young people. 

Chelsey joined the team in 2022. She supports our young people in one-to-one settings, participation and community events. Chelsey worked in Early Years settings for 14 years and worked with 0-5-year-olds providing nurturing care and play activities. Chelsey supported children with additional support needs and liaised with external agencies providing support.

Chelsey enjoys spending time with her two daughters and family. They enjoy being outdoors, taking long walks and baking together at home.

Chelsey joined CHT for a new challenge. She enjoys supporting our young people to learn new skills and achieve their potential. Chelsey loves getting the young people together for events and seeing them become more confident in their peer group while having fun.

Natalie joined the team in 2017. She provides one-to-one support, group work and events for our children and young people. Natalie’s background involves working with children and young people in various settings, starting her journey working as an Early Years Practitioner and volunteering to support older children and young people in schools. 

In Natalie’s free time, she enjoys a wide variety of activities such as climbing Munros, going to the bingo with friends, beach walks and anything that involves music as she enjoys singing.

Natalie is passionate about providing children and young people with individual support to help them develop confidence and self-belief so they can reach their potential and overcome challenges. 

Kevin was born in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire and started work on the steelworks blast furnace shortly after leaving school. He has also worked as a long-distance lorry driver, self-employed driving instructor and in civil engineering.

Kevin joined CHT in December 2001 and has achieved 22 years of service. He supports the safety of staff, carers and young people and would describe his job as varied and rewarding. 

One of the things Kevin enjoys at CHT is seeing the benefits of introducing growth mindset to staff, carers and young people.