ABOUT US

Fiona is a dual qualified lawyer (Scotland and England) and has spent her many years of practice specialising in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate governance work for law firms in Scotland, England and New York. She is also a qualified Pilates instructor and spent several years serving in what was the Territorial Army (now Reserves) during her early legal career. Fiona became a Trustee of Forces Children Scotland in December 2023.

Fiona grew up in a military family, her father was serving when she was born and for a large part of her childhood. Fiona was still living at home when her father moved from military to civilian employment. Fiona is retired but previously worked in IT and Local Government Procurement. Fiona holds a PGCM in Management and a MSc in Business Administration (IT) both from university of Central Lancashire. Previously Fiona held a board member position for a community regeneration trust.

Sarah brings over 37 years of experience working in the NHS. A Nurse Director (retired) and MBA graduate from Strathclyde University with Board and Integrated Joint Board experience. In her last role, Sarah served as Executive Armed Forces Champion and lead on the Board’s achievement of the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. As the wife of a serving reservist and grandmother to a force’s child, Sarah is committed to working in collaboration with colleagues to deliver the charity’s corporate strategy, ensuring strategic influence and professional direction to ensure every child and young person from an armed forces community can realise their potential and thrive.

Isla is Head of Fundraising & Communications at Music in Hospitals & Care. She was previously Deputy Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland where she developed the £2 million learning outreach project #PoppyBud. She has been a committee member of The Institute of Fundraising Scotland since 2008 and currently sits on the Scottish Fundraising Conference committee.

Max is a Chartered Accountant, having qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) is 2007 and is based in Edinburgh. Max now specialises in providing financial advice on major transport infrastructure projects across the UK and overseas with a particular specialism in the rail industry. Max joined Forces Children Scotland as Treasurer in April 2021."

Harvey began his career in the British Army as an officer in the Royal Irish Regiment serving in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone. He has spent the last twenty-plus years working in the public and voluntary sectors. Specifically, this has been in the areas of homelessness, disability, care, grant-giving, and employability. Before taking up post as ILF Scotland’s Chief Operating Officer, the majority of roles he has held during this time have been leading large-scale charitable operations across the UK in such organisations as the Royal British Legion, SSAFA FH, and Business in the Community. Harvey is a keen cyclist and Trustee of Community Veterans Support in Glasgow.

Gordon is an experienced educator with over twenty-five years experience in both public and independent schools. He is a Vice President of the National Commissioning Board for the Army’s Cadet Forces and has lead youth and adult volunteers in developing leadership.

Suzanne is Senior Legal Counsel at Galliford Try and has practised law for over 25 years. Suzanne was previously a Trustee for The Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity for 10 years and she is a Children’s Panel Member. Suzanne also sits on Heriot Watt University’s Audit & Risk Committee.

Carla has been involved with Forces Children Scotland in various capacities since 2011, firstly as a beneficiary before becoming a regular volunteer throughout her time at university. Having achieved a BA (Hons) Community Education in 2017, Carla is now a Youth Development worker for Dumfries and Galloway Youth Services.