Board of Trustees
Karen Aitchison,
Chair
Karen was elected Chairperson of the board in October 2019. Karen has spent her working life within the education sector embracing every stage from nursery to university. In working closely with students at all levels she has consistently championed the importance of the learner and the learning environment in the institutional context. Karen has a keen awareness of the importance of periods of transition in a learner’s life – and the value of just the right help at just the right time in providing a springboard into life – something Bridges Project embraces in full measure. Karen recently stepped back from her role as Head of Academic Practice at Edinburgh Napier University.
Sandy MacLean,
Vice-Chair
Sandy has worked in education and training for more than 25 years across both the school and college sector. Her interest is in supporting young people with additional support needs to access and succeed in education, training and employment. For the past 12 years, she has worked as an Advisor within the College Development Network and been involved in the design, development and delivery of training and resources to support the wider inclusion agenda within Scotland’s colleges. Her specific focus has been on developments within the area of mental health and wellbeing, resilience and mindfulness.
Sally Lynn,
Head of Finance Group
Sally has been a trustee of the board since 2008. She heads up our finance group, which reports to the quarterly board meetings on all matters relating to finance and staffing. Sally is very much involved in the production of our annual risk register and is a keen contributor to the board’s strategic planning framework. Prior to joining Bridges Project, she worked for over 25 years as a solicitor in East Lothian.
Alun Thomas,
Director
Alun is an Employment Lawyer, a Mediator and a partner with Anderson Strathern solicitors. He is also Chair of the Lothian Homes Trust, a key funder of the Bridges Project and one of their nominated board members. He has been involved with Bridges for over 20 years since its days in Albany Street, Edinburgh. He feels the work done at Bridges Project is an important contribution to the education and wellbeing of a group of clients that would otherwise miss out on opportunities available to others.
Kit Fraser,
Director
Kit brings to the board extensive media experience together with widespread contacts in the world of politics, TV and radio and newspapers. In a career stretching over 30 years with BBC Scotland, he rose from radio production to Presenter of Radio Scotland’s “Newsdrive” and “Politics Tonight”. Appointed BBC Scotland Political Correspondent, he appeared regularly on TV’s “Reporting Scotland”, and radio’s “Good Morning Scotland”. More recently as a writer and media consultant, he has published two books: “The Triumph and Tragedy of the Bantams” and “Christie Boy”.
Rachel Baxter,
Director
Rachel has worked in the voluntary sector in a fundraising capacity for over 13 years. She aspired to work for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, having actively fundraised for the charity during her time at University. Following two years in the St Columba’s Hospice fundraising team, Rachel successfully joined Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity in 2008, where she is now employed as Director of Fundraising and Marketing. Rachel provides inspirational leadership to her team, enabling them to meet income awareness targets and helping to transform the lives of children and young people in hospital and beyond. As someone who is passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people, she is delighted to be able to make a contribution towards the important work of Bridges Project.
John Ewart,
Director
John has been a trustee of the board since 2020, and is a member of the finance group. He began his fund management career over 30 years ago and is currently a director of Aubrey Capital Management, based in Edinburgh. He is an advocate of educational opportunities for all ages, and sees the support and motivation delivered by the Bridges Project team as essential guidance for young people to continue to develop their skills for life.
Hugh McMichael,
Director
Hugh had a professional banking career for 40 years, of which 30 were spent with responsibilities for Statistical and Regulatory Reporting to the Bank of England. On his retirement, Hugh has been involved with charitable work with Scottish Touch, the Church of Scotland and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. He has been a trustee for the John Christie Trust for 20 years and is the current Chairperson and is now also a Trustee for the Lothian Homes Trust. Hugh would like to play more golf but with four young grandchildren he doesn’t seem to find the time.