Ayrshire Cancer Support Trustees

Personal Details:

I was born and raised in Ayr and educated at St John’s Primary School and Queen Margaret Academy. I am married to Andrew and we have 4 teenage children and recently returned to live in my hometown after spending nearly 7 years living and working in Sydney, Australia. I have always had a keen interest in music, the arts and reading and have enjoyed singing with choirs including the local chorus of Opera West. I love travelling and spending time with my family.

Career profile/other community involvement:

After graduating from Dundee and Strathclyde Universities with a Bachelor of Laws and post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, I completed a 2 year Legal Traineeship with a local Ayr firm before taking up a position with an Edinburgh Firm of solicitors. In 1992, I decided to return to Ayrshire and was employed as a Reporter to the Children’s Panel by Strathclyde Regional Council. I am a Court solicitor and since 1995 was accredited as a Child Law specialist by the Law Society of Scotland. I have held several positions in both Private and Public sector roles in criminal and civil Law matters. After completing legal studies in Sydney I was dual-qualified in Australian and Scots Law. As my children have been growing up, I have undertaken several part-time jobs in both countries. I have a keen interest in children’s rights, protection and welfare.

I am a member/ supporter of a number of charities and voluntary organisations and was a volunteer Director for the South Ayrshire Befriending Project. In Sydney, I volunteered as a senior schools debating adjudicator and as a religious studies primary schools teacher.

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support.

I became a Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support in 2014 after both my parents were diagnosed with cancer. I had heard about the wonderful services being provided by the charity and knew a number of people who praised the great work being done in Ayrshire. My dear Mum, Joan, encouraged me to offer my help to the charity and she could not speak more highly of the amazing volunteers she had met. Sadly, she lost her own battle with cancer in January 2015.

I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to contribute in any way I can to support this invaluable resource in our community.

Personal Details:

I live in Alloway and am married with one daughter. I have lived in Ayr all my life and although I work in Glasgow, it has never been in my thoughts for one instant to move away.

Career Profile / Community Involvement:

Educated at Alloway Primary and then Belmont Academy, I graduated from Strathclyde University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1992.

I trained in Glasgow and am now Managing Director of Martin Aitken & Co Ltd, a medium sized accountancy firm in Glasgow but, more importantly, I am also the Technical Director within the charity team.

I lead all of the firms larger charity audits, including high profile national charities and organisations that specialise in care, health, arts & culture, education and international relief work, advising them on all aspects of compliance, finance, operations and good governance.

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support:

Given my professional background, I was contacted through a friend when Ayrshire Cancer Support were looking to fill the vacant financial post on the Board and having had two close family members die from the disease in recent years, it was an easy post to accept.

Personal Details: 

Living in Prestwick, I am a proud mum to Robbie and Beth. The most recent addition to the family is Daisy the Cocker Spaniel pup who is most definitely the boss of the Smith Household.  Interests include music and movies – anything from mystery to marvel.  I enjoy walking, which I have to admit to being my only form of exercise, and I have been known to be quite sociable and very much enjoy meeting up with family and friends. 

Why I became a volunter Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support:

Graduating with an honours degree in marketing, my sales and marketing career has spanned 30 years in sectors including the arts and construction.  For the last 20 years, I have held the position of Sales & Marketing Manager for Ayr Racecourse and Western House Hotel where I manage a team of 10 and oversee the commercial operation for both venues, which include ticket and hospitality sales, sponsorship, non-racing events and room sales as well as developing and implementing the marketing plans. Given the diversity the role provides, there is literally never a dull moment, which I believe contributes to my continued drive and ambition. Given my sales and marketing skills and experience, I intend to contribute to the charity’s continued growth and success.

Career profile/other community involvement:

I had been aware of Ayrshire Cancer Support and some of the services provided, but it was only when Ayr Racecourse and Western House became partners with the charity that I gained a much better understanding of the breadth of services the charity provides. I cannot fail to be impressed how, particularly in recent years; the charity has increased the number of services provided while making huge improvements in the communication strategy, increasing the number of people who benefit from the support. 

Career Profile/Other community involvement:

Over the last 30 years I have served a variety of roles in the public sector in Ayrshire.  I started working life as a Community Worker and held a wide range of posts supporting community regeneration in communities throughout the West of Scotland.

I was a past Chair of SOLACE Scotland, the professional body for Chief Executives and Senior Managers working in local governments and was appointed to the Scottish Government's Social Renewal Advisory Board.

Since 2004 up to my retirement in 2021 I was Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council.  

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support:

Throughout all of this period I continued to be impressed by the work of Ayrshire Cancer Support and have watched with great interest and respect, the growth of the organisation and the benefit it brings to thousands of people facing a cancer diagnosis, and their families.  It is a privilege to have been invited to be a Member of the Board and I look forward to contributing to the organisation going forward.

Personal Details:

In November 2016 I was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the University of the West of Scotland and I am currently an Honorary Professor with that institution.

Career Profile/Other community involvement:

I was Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland for 12 years.  Having recently stepped down from that role I continue to offer advice and support to the ALLIANCE leadership team.

My early career was in teaching and during this period I served as an elected member leading Kyle and Carrick District Council, then becoming the first Leader of South Ayrshire Council before serving briefly as MSP for Ayr.  I have been: Director of UK Services for the Rehab Group; Chief Executive and Board Member of Kilmarnock Football Club; non-executive Director of the Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Executive Director of Human Resources and Public Affairs; former Chair of the Microtech Group and current Chair of the Ayr Gaiety Partnership, Dementia Friendly Prestwick and C-Change Scotland.

I have led, or been involved in, a number of activities on behalf of the Scottish Government including: being invited to Chair the Contaminated Blood Financial Review Group; invited to Chair its GIRFEC Practice Development Panel; and most recently appointed to sit on the Advisory Panel for the Independent Review of Adult Social Care.

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support:

I have extensive experience in the public, private and third sectors and I look forward to using my local and national experience to further the charitable aims of Ayrshire Cancer Support in the interests of people living with cancer.

Career Profile/Other community involvement:

After graduating from Caledonian University with a degree in Accountancy, I started working in the family business, Eureka Solutions. A software based firm implementing, supporting and developing ERP systems, I worked in many different areas of the business, starting out in technical roles and eventually becoming FD. With a recent re-structure I am COO and look after all operations of the business.

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support:

Eureka Solutions has been a supporter of Ayrshire Cancer Support with previous directors being on the board. We wish to continue to support the charity by replacing the previous board member with myself and continue our close relationship with Ayrshire Cancer Support.

Personal Details

I live in Kilmarnock with my husband and have two grown up daughters. I have over 30 years of experience working in children’s services and was awarded an OBE in June 2022 for my services to Children and Families in Scotland. I have developed a commitment to poverty alleviation and have a strong reputation for campaigning to reduce child poverty.

Career Profile/Other Community Involvement

I have worked as Chief Executive of Aberlour Child Care Trust since 2014. Prior to this I worked for Barnardo’s Scotland, first as Head of Operations, then as Acting Director of Barnardo’s Scotland.

I took on a role as Senior Manager for the National 3rd Sector GIRFEC Project in 2013. I have worked in several Scottish local authorities in middle and senior management positions. I have been an Associate Assessor in Authority wide Child Protection Inspections and have also jointly coordinated the Inspection of one Local Authority Area in my role as senior manager in that area.

I have served on a number of important national initiatives including being a member of the Scottish Government Early Years Taskforce and being involved in the implementation of the improvement support provided through the Early Years Collaborative.

I have a keen interest in strengthening and improving practice and have focussed my work on developing stronger models for children in residential care and relationship focussed support for those impacted by adversity and trauma.

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support

I am keen to become more involved in Ayrshire based work to support local charities and to engage with charities that are relevant for me and my experiences. Having personal experience of loss of close friends to cancer, I am keen to support early intervention, identification and recovery approaches that focus on the whole family.

Personal Details:

I live in Glasgow with my husband and two young children. My husband is from Ayrshire and my in laws both continue to enjoy living in Ayrshire.

Career profile:

I work as a medical oncology consultant looking after patients with colorectal cancer with my practice covering Ayrshire and Arran.

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support:

On a daily basis I see first-hand how cancer affects both patients and their families and the invaluable holistic care and support offered by Ayrshire Cancer Support.  I am grateful to be involved in the continued work and development of the charity to ensure the ongoing support of patients and their families living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Career Profile/Other community involvement:

I am now fully retired having spent my career working in the NHS and Higher Education. I  trained as a nurse, midwife and health visitor. I have also worked at senior levels in practice, policy and leadership across Scotland in both health and education.

I feel this gives me a breadth of experience that can offer some benefit to Ayrshire Cancer Support, the people, families and communities it provides support and service to and for.

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support:

Like many other families, our family has also been touched by the impact of a cancer  diagnosis and the treatment, living with, palliative and end of life care that can be  associated with this.

It would find it personally rewarding to be able to " give something back" as a Trustee.

Personal Details:

I am married with 2 adult children and live with my wife in Kilmarnock.

My interests outside work include music, both listening to and playing, reading, foreign travel and food.

Career profile/other community involvement:

I attended Strathclyde University and graduated with a BSc (honours) Degree in Architectural Studies in 1976 and gained a BArch degree in 1978. I am a Chartered Architect and Director of Munro Architects in Kilmarnock.

Over the years I have held many voluntary posts including:

I set up Kilmarnock & Loudoun District Lions Club in 1988;

Chairman of Loanhead Primary School Board for many years and served on the board for almost 20 years;

Member of Grange Academy School board for 4 years;

Served on the Board of Ayrshire Business in the Community for almost the entire lifespan of that organisation, including several years as Chairman;

Chairman of Kilmarnock Abbeyfield House for many years;

Secretary of Friends of Hansel Village for several years;

Business advisor to the Young Enterprise Scotland scheme for many years including currently at Grange Academy;

Mentor to young people via various Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce initiatives.

In December, 2013, I was proud to be invited to join the Board of ACS

Why I became a volunteer Director of Ayrshire Cancer Support.

Very few of us have remained untouched by cancer and unfortunately I lost my mother and best friend to cancer and know how devastating a diagnosis can be.

I have never been able to stand back and let others do “their bit” and do nothing myself and when offered this opportunity was glad that I was being given the chance to help the charity in whatever small way I can.