MENTAL CAPACITY CONSULTANT & TRUST CHAIR

As Director of EX-PG Ltd Sandra McDonald offers independent mental capacity/incapacity advice and training to lawyers, social care professionals, and organisations in all sectors, drawing on 14 years as Public Guardian for Scotland. She has personal experience as a carer of a person with dementia. Sandra holds qualifications in law, public sector management and nursing. Sandra was consultant on adults with incapacity to the Scottish Mental Health and Incapacity Law Review.

Sandra is a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s mental health and disability law subcommittee, whose remit includes assuring the law supports people with dementia. She served as a Trustee of the Lewy Body [dementia] Society, and as a Board Member of the charity Garvald Edinburgh. She provides specialist advice to the Centre for Mental Health and Capacity Law at Napier University and to Hourglass Scotland (formerly Action on Elder Abuse).

CHURCH MINISTER

Rev Nigel Robb, Minister of the Church of Scotland, lately Presbytery Clerk of St Andrews.

Nigel was a lecturer in St Andrews University and University of Perth, Western Australia, and held an administrator role in Edinburgh. He is a graduate of Glasgow University and Princeton University.

Rev Robb has written several books on preaching, worship, and pastoral care issues in relation to the process of grief and death. He undertook the Design for Dementia course at the Iris Murdoch Centre and subsequently has written a short guide for churches who wish to become dementia friendly and accessible for older people - a friendly and inclusive guide which is available on the Trust website. Nigel advises the Church on issues related to buildings. He acted as administrative secretary to the Trust for a number of years.

CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN (RETIRED) IN GERIATRIC MEDICINE

Dr Peter Murdoch FRCP (Edin & Glasg). Has been a Trustee in a variety of roles for the Trust since 1988.

He was Convener (1997-2003) during a time of great change and innovation. Dr Murdoch combined this with being a Consultant Physician NHS Forth Valley 1983-2014 and lastly Executive Director NHS Forth Valley. He was the Chair of the Scottish Branch of British Geriatrics Society 2001-3 and sometime member of national working parties on Dementia, Care Standards and Services for Older People.

Peter was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Stirling in recognition of his service to older people, people with dementia, and the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Ross qualified as a chartered accountant at KPMG LLP and has been working in finance in London. Ross is responsible for all financial management and banking matters of the Trust. Ross has continued to support the Trust during his current paternity leave after the birth of a baby daughter.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

Yvonne McAulay has over 25 years’ experience in Relationship Management, within the Music and Banking sectors, as a Consultant for a membership group and currently, as an Executive Assistant. She has been involved in charitable work throughout her career and is presently Treasurer for two charities.

NHS CONSULTANT DOCTOR

Dr Katie Paramore is a consultant in Older Adult Mental Health. Her knowledge and understanding of the current position of health and social care policy and practice is essential to the work of the Trustees.

PROFESSOR OF APPLIED HEALTH RESEARCH

Edward is Professor of Applied Health Research and Associate Dean of Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, UK. With a clinical background in occupational therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mental health, Edward has spent the last 25 years undertaking applied health research to improve people’s lives and health and social care systems.

His current research focuses on complex intervention development and theory-led evaluation of mental health, pre-hospital emergency care, allied health & related global health interventions and systems. As well as being a Trustee of the Dementia Trust, he is also a Trustee of the Scotland Malawi Partnership

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Linda is a Chartered Accountant qualifying with Ernst & Young, Aberdeen.   She has over 30 years experience in the finance sector having worked in Bermuda, New York, London and Edinburgh over this period.  Linda is an experienced Relationship Manager with extensive experience in Fund Administration, Investment Operations and Cash Management. 

She has a successful track record in leading complex transformational change. Linda Jane has also been involved in employee development programs and is passionate about employee satisfaction, diversity and inclusion.

TRUST ADVISER

June Andrews is an adviser to the Trustees. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing. June has been supporting the Trust through Sedaca Ltd, her company that supports work to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.

TRUST ADMIN OFFICER

Anne gained extensive experience throughout her working life supporting Trustee Boards both in the private and third sector.

Before retirement, she worked in organisations related to palliative care, ageing and social housing. Following retirement, she undertook a four year degree course at Edinburgh University in the Social Sciences, with a focus on health in society, including issues relating to dementia.  Volunteering has always been a passion and she currently undertakes driving shifts for an Edinburgh Charity as well as her work as Admin Officer for the Trust.