Our Board
As a social business it is vital, we have sound and robust governance. Our Board members are industry professionals in their respective fields and bring a wealth of knowledge with them. Our Board members are volunteers, which is why Aberdeen Foyer is extra grateful for their time and their business acumen which helps ensure a sound and sustainable organisation. This is also an opportunity for the Board members to give back by supporting people in a way their day job necessarily can’t.
As a registered company and charity Aberdeen Foyer operates with a Board who are the Company's Directors and Trustees of the Charity.
All Board members are 'non-executive' with the day-to-day running of the organisation delegated to the Chief Executive. The Board comprises of up to 12 members who will normally serve for 2 terms of 3 years, sometimes more. The group of active Board members is complimented by member of the two local city councils: Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils nominate 2 observers to the Foyer Board.
The full Board normally meets 4 times a year. Additionally, the Board has established a formal Staff Consultative Committee through which there is an ongoing dialogue with representatives of staff from across the organisation. The Committee normally meets 4 times a year.
Chair
Stuart White is the Operations Director for a company that provides fire detection, prevention and loss solutions for clients’ critical assets across multiple industries, including traditional and renewable energy, nuclear and industrial sectors. As a generalist in a very specialist world, Stuart brings with him 38 years of leadership and commercial experience from the financial services, energy logistics and engineering sectors. Stuart is passionate about building business capability, delivering sustainable growth, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential.
Stuart White
Jacqui Taylor
Treasurer
Jacqui is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 20 years post qualification experience. Following qualification with a “Big 4” accountancy practice, she spent over 16 years working in mergers & acquisitions in professional practice before moving to take up a role in industry as Finance Director.
Jacqui has experience of working across a variety of sectors including upstream oil & gas, oilfield services, renewables, salmon farming, charities, and hospitality. She has provided support in the form of business planning, financial modelling, including forecasting, financial and systems control, financial process improvement and management of cashflow. She has worked with businesses of varying sizes from startup entities to large corporates.
In her spare time Jacqui teaches drama to young people aged between 7-18 and was happy to join the Foyer Board in 2021 to continue to support young people in a different capacity, as a Trustee.
Chair of Staff Consultative Committee
Helen has worked in social housing sector for 30 years both at the grass roots and in managerial positions. Currently chief executive of Langstane Housing, Helen is passionate about giving everyone the opportunity to thrive as individuals whether this be achieved by giving them the skills or the practical assistance they need.
Fully supportive of the inclusive management style demonstrated at Aberdeen Foyer, and of the great work undertaken directly with those they support, Helen was delighted to join the Foyer’s Board in 2018.
Helen Gauld
Chief Executive and Company Secretary
Leona has been Aberdeen Foyer’s Chief Executive since 2018, having previously served as Executive Director for 10 years as part of the Foyer’s senior management team. An experienced and engaging social entrepreneur, she firmly believes that people can and do make remarkable changes in their lives. With a background in employability, social enterprise and community mental health, Leona also has significant experience in leading and developing commercial social enterprises and in designing client led services.
Leona is currently a Board member of North East Scotland College (NESCOL) and, is a Committee Member of the Third Sector Employability Forum (TSEF), North East SCDI and the national EveryYouth alliance.
Leona McDermid
Sue Briggs is a researcher, writer and experienced community worker with a history of direct practice delivery, leadership and management in Community Learning and Development and wider education. Sue has worked in the private, third sector and public sector in her career and is currently working freelance whilst semi-retired. She is co-author of three publications aimed at community workers, students and interested community leaders, is very active in her own community and was awarded an MBE for services to Community Learning and Development in 2022. Sue has been aware of the work of the Foyer for many years and admires the concept and approach. She brings quality assurance and professional learning skills to the Board table and is a keen contributor to the Foyer and it’s future having joined in May of 2023.
Sue Briggs
Gemma Bowie
Gemma is experienced in strategy, risk, quality and environmental management. She has held senior roles in market analysis and strategy in the private sector working on acquisitions, raising finance, preparing bids, evaluating the market and more. She has over 15 years experience working for organisations large and small. Outside of work, she has a passion for music and art and is becoming a keen gardener. She spent 6 months in Indonesia as an Economic Development Advisor working with the local council transferring skills to locals with VSO. She has an MSc from the University of Reading in International Business and Economic Development. She is from Aberdeenshire.
Duncan Leitch
Duncan is a Senior Director in the Virgin Money Health and Social Care Team. He works to support customers in various sectors including children’s services, elderly, and specialist care across the country. With a keen awareness of the sharp drop-off rates in formal / centralised support for young adults once they turn 16, he was keen to support the work of The Foyer. He joined the Board in 2023 and brings experience of the social care infrastructure and has a background in property finance. Duncan is also an ICAS qualified Accountant.”
Charles Wardman
As founder of tech consultancy Yopla and digital expert, Charles brings a wealth of digital expertise and a deep commitment to driving social impact through technology. His strategic insights and forward-thinking approach make him a natural fit for the Foyer. Charles Wardman’s appointment in 2023 reflects the Foyer’s commitment to further embrace digital technologies that can support and enhance its ability to address and prevent the root causes of poverty and youth homelessness.
Aberdeen City Council Observers -
Cllr Lynn Thomson, Clrr Christian Allard
Aberdeenshire Council Observers -
Cllr Anne Simpson, Cllr Glen Reynolds